Having multiple citizenships opens up a world of opportunity, giving you freedom and flexibility to live, work, and travel with ease across borders. However, the time it takes to score an additional passport to live that dual-citizen life can all depend on the country’s specific rules and protocol. Overall, outside of birth, there are three main methods that can grant you a second citizenship: ancestry, investment, and naturalization.
For those without the necessary family ties or funds, naturalization is often the best, most logical path forward. According to a 2025 report by International Living , the naturalization process involves “living legally in the country for a set number of years, demonstrating familiarity with the language, sufficient resources to support oneself, and sometimes a test on history, culture, and the political system.”
When it comes to the time required in each country, it’s worth doing your research before packing a bag. For example, in countries like Japan and Switzerland, you’ll need 10 years of legal residence to officially gain citizenship while other countries around the world don’t require as long of a wait. Per the report, there are several countries throughout South America and Europe where an individual can score citizenship in five years or less.
Starting in Argentina, naturalization only requires two years of legal residence with the caveat of no traveling abroad for two years. Ecuador, Honduras, and Paraguay all have three-year legal residence requirements. Married couples applying for citizenship in Uruguay are also eligible after three years, but unmarried residents will need to have maintained permanent residence for five years.
If you’d rather live in Europe, you have a couple of options. The citizenship requirements for Bulgaria, Czechia, France, Germany, Ireland, and Latvia all include a five-year stint as a legal resident.
Remember, though, legal residence isn’t the only thing you’ll need in order to receive citizenship. Depending on the country, you may have to factor in language proficiency, finances, and naturalization exams.
Along with the countries mentioned above, here is the full list of destinations where you can gain citizenship in under 5 years.
-
Argentina: 2 years
-
Ecuador: 3 years
-
Honduras: 3 years
-
Paraguay: 3 years
-
Uruguay: 3 (for married couples); 5 years for individuals
-
Brazil: 4 years
-
Belgium: 5 years
-
Bulgaria: 5 years
-
Czechia: 5 years
-
Dominican Republic: 5 years
-
Finland: 5 years
-
France: 5 years
-
Germany: 5 years
-
Greece: 5 years
-
Ireland: 5 years
-
Latvia: 5 years
-
Peru: 5 years
-
Portugal: 5 years
-
Sweden: 5 years
Editor's Note
As this report is based on information from last year, it’s encouraged to consult a country’s government site for specific guidance. For example, those looking to get citizenship for Peru will need to live there for five years, not two years as the report states. Additionally, it’s worth noting that citizenship laws and requirements are constantly changing and may have unique conditions.
Read the original article on Travel & Leisure
