If your dream is to move abroad, there are several paths. A growing number of countries are offering digital nomad visas, including Costa Rica, Thailand, and Germany. There is also the option of a student visa for those with a degree or studying at a qualified language school (usually one offering 20 hours of tuition per week). You will then obtain citizenship in another country.
Obtaining a second passport is not always easy, but it is possible. In some countries, long-term stay or language requirements can be difficult to meet, while others have clear paths to obtaining a second passport through investment or descendants. Continue to learn where in the world you can obtain citizenship through ancestry or bank account.
Related: 6 tips for travelers looking to move abroad and the companies that can help
Portugal
Obtaining a Portuguese passport through Portugal’s Golden Visa program is a welcome option for U.S. citizens. The program was created to attract funds to the country, with an estimated β¬6.6 billion invested since its inception in 2012. Portugal’s mild climate, historic cities and charming beaches make it an attractive place to live. Portugal is also part of the European Union, so Portuguese citizens can live and work in any of the 27 member states of the European Union.
Americans (and other non-EU nationals) can obtain Portuguese citizenship for themselves and their families by investing in Portugal. A minimum of β¬250,000 for arts support and preservation of national heritage, and a minimum of β¬500,000 for research and development opportunities. Once the applicant becomes a permanent resident or national of Portugal, the investment can be liquidated.
As of April 1, 2026, the Portuguese Parliament has approved changes to the time period for investors to obtain Portuguese nationality. Previously it was 5 years, now it will be 10 years. Investors can obtain permanent residence even after five years. This law has not yet entered into force. A decision is expected to be made by June 2026.
Regardless of whether it changes the time it takes to obtain Portuguese citizenship, this is one of the cheapest ways to obtain citizenship in the EU. Golden Visa applicants choose whether to move to Portugal immediately or elsewhere, as long as they visit Portugal for about one week a year.
Related: Portugal’s island with its colorful hot spring pools is perfect for the ultimate hot spring tour
cyprus
A beautiful Mediterranean island, Cyprus has permanent residence similar to Portugal, and English is widely spoken. Permanent residents here can apply for Cypriot and eventually EU citizenship after seven years. It is up to you whether you want to live in Cyprus during the investment period. A medical examination is required once every two years.
To obtain residency, a person must invest up to 300,000 euros in up to two new or existing residential or non-residential properties, in a Cyprus company with five or more employees, or in an investment fund. You must also earn at least β¬50,000 per year from outside Cyprus.
grenada
Located in the heart of the West Indies, Grenada is an attractive option for Americans looking to live a laid-back Caribbean lifestyle. The chain of islands is known for its beautiful beaches and rainforests. Additionally, Grenada’s official language is English. A family of four can typically obtain citizenship within six months by making a one-time contribution of $235,000 (plus a $9,000 fee per person) to the Grenada government.
Alternatively, families can become eligible for citizenship by investing at least $270,000 (plus $59,000 in fees) in a government-approved real estate project. After five years of ownership, investors are free to liquidate their investment. Grenada has no residency requirements while your citizenship application is pending in the country, so it is possible to complete your entire application from the United States.
Ireland
An estimated 9.5 people in the United States have Irish ancestry, according to the latest U.S. Census, but not everyone can obtain Irish citizenship based on their heritage. To apply for Irish citizenship, at least one parent or Irish-born grandparent must be an Irish citizen. when you were born.
After gathering all the necessary documents, including the original birth certificate of your ancestor, it will take approximately 12 months to process your foreign birth registration application. Once this is done, you can apply for an Irish passport just like any Irish citizen, and you can get one in about a month. Ireland is part of the European Union, so you can live and work on the Emerald Isle or reside in any of the other 27 member states.
Related: When is the best time to travel to Ireland?
Italy
In 2025, Italy made its citizenship-by-blood law even more restrictive. As of 2026, you can now apply for Italian citizenship by descent if your parents or grandparents are or were Italian citizens at the time of their death. Even more disrespectfully, if your grandmother was an Italian citizen born before January 1, 1948, and married a foreigner, she would lose her Italian citizenship and would not be able to inherit it.
After gathering and submitting documentation such as a recent birth certificate from the Italian commune where the birth was registered, it is expected that it will take up to three years for a decision to be made (this is the maximum period for the Italian Ministry of the Interior to review applications).
egypt
Egypt is the only country on the African continent that offers citizenship through investment. The country is steeped in centuries of history and is ideally located for traveling across North Africa, Europe and the Middle East. Additionally, traveling in Egypt itself is very affordable due to the strength of the US dollar against the Egyptian pound.
Egypt also offers multiple routes to citizenship. Some options include making a non-refundable contribution of $250,000 to the national treasury. Invest $300,000 in real estate in government-owned projects and maintain that investment for at least five years. or transfer $500,000 to an Egyptian bank and keep the funds for at least three years.
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This article was originally published in 2024 and last updated on April 15, 2026. Sophie Friedman contributed reporting to this article.