Most second passports in the world are not bought. They come from a grandparent's birth certificate, a few years of legal residence, a marriage, or a law that welcomes back a diaspora. These routes cost far less money than citizenship by investment, though they usually cost more time, paperwork and patience.
For many people, the best second passport is one they already qualify for. Ancestry routes in Europe, short naturalization periods in parts of Latin America, and heritage laws in countries such as Hungary and Israel can lead to strong passports without a six-figure contribution.
This guide covers the six main routes to a second passport without investment, what each one asks of you, and the costs that remain even when no investment is required.
Key takeaways
- Descent is the most valuable no-investment route: it can lead to an EU passport with only document and filing costs.
- Naturalization periods range from about 3 years (Paraguay) to 10 years (Spain's general rule), and some countries shorten them for certain nationalities.
- Marriage shortens naturalization in many countries but rarely grants citizenship on its own.
- Heritage and return laws, such as Israel's Law of Return and Hungary's simplified naturalization, can be faster than ordinary naturalization.
- 'Without investment' does not mean free: records, translations, legal help and years of residence all carry costs.
Route 1: Ancestry and descent
If a parent, grandparent or sometimes an earlier ancestor was a citizen of another country, you may already be a citizen by law, or entitled to register as one. This is the route that most often leads to a top-tier passport without investment.
| Country | How far back it usually reaches | Key condition |
|---|---|---|
| Ireland | Grandparent born on the island of Ireland | Registration on the Foreign Births Register before you can claim citizenship |
| Italy | Mostly parent or grandparent since 2025 | Claims were narrowed sharply by the 2025 reform |
| Poland | Can reach several generations | No break in the line, for example through loss of citizenship by an ancestor |
| Hungary | Ancestor who was a Hungarian citizen | Hungarian language skills for simplified naturalization |
| Germany | Varies | Special restoration rights for descendants of people persecuted by the Nazi regime |
The Irish route is one of the clearest. A person whose grandparent was born in Ireland can apply to be entered on the Foreign Births Register, and citizenship starts from the date of registration. Our guide to Irish citizenship through grandparents explains the process step by step.
Italy used to be the most generous ancestry route, with no generational limit. The 2025 reform changed that: most people born abroad now need a close link, such as a parent or grandparent, to qualify. Applications filed before the change are generally assessed under the old rules. Our article on Italian citizenship by descent after the 2025 reform covers who still qualifies.
For a wider comparison, see our country-by-country overview of European citizenship by descent. Descent routes also exist outside Europe, in parts of Latin America, Armenia and Asia, as our article on citizenship by descent beyond Europe explains.
Route 2: Naturalization by residence
Naturalization rewards time. You move to a country, hold legal residence for the required period, meet language and integration requirements, and apply. Residence periods differ widely.
| Country | General residence requirement | Shorter path for some applicants |
|---|---|---|
| Paraguay | 3 years | Not applicable |
| Canada | 1,095 days in the last 5 years | Not applicable |
| Brazil | 4 years | 1 year for nationals of Portuguese-speaking countries, and reductions for people with a Brazilian child or spouse |
| Mexico | 5 years | 2 years for nationals of Latin American and Iberian countries |
| Germany | 5 years | Not applicable |
| Spain | 10 years | 2 years for nationals of Ibero-American countries, Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea and Portugal |
The details matter. Canada counts physical presence, not just holding a permit, and requires at least 730 days as a permanent resident within the five-year window. Spain's nationality by residence requires legal, continuous residence immediately before the application, and applicants generally pass language and civics tests.
Naturalization also builds a genuine connection to the country, which matters as more governments look for real ties between citizens and the state. Our list of the easiest countries to get citizenship compares the shortest naturalization routes.
Route 3: Marriage or civil partnership
In most countries, marrying a citizen does not grant citizenship directly. It shortens the road. Spain reduces the residence period to one year for the spouse of a Spanish citizen. The United States reduces the general five-year period to three years for people married to and living with a US citizen. Brazil and Mexico also offer shorter periods for spouses.
These applications are examined closely. Authorities typically look for evidence of a genuine relationship and shared life, and separation before a decision usually ends eligibility under the spouse rules.
Route 4: Heritage and return laws
Some countries offer citizenship based on religion, ethnicity or historical connection, often without a long residence requirement.
- Israel. The Law of Return allows Jewish people, and certain children, grandchildren and spouses, to immigrate and acquire citizenship.
- Hungary. People with a Hungarian citizen ancestor, or Hungarian origin, can apply for simplified naturalization without living in Hungary, provided they speak Hungarian.
- Armenia. People of Armenian descent can acquire citizenship through a simplified process.
- Greece. People of Greek ethnic origin abroad have specific routes to citizenship.
These routes are narrow by design. Each depends on proving the qualifying connection with documents, and some require language skills that take years to build.
Route 5: Birth
Children can gain a second citizenship at birth. In countries that apply the soil principle, such as Canada, Mexico, Brazil and Argentina, a child born on the territory generally becomes a citizen. Under the blood principle, a child born anywhere to a citizen parent can acquire that parent's citizenship, subject to rules on births abroad.
This is a route for the next generation rather than for adults themselves. Families who live across borders often find that their children hold two or more citizenships simply because of where they were born and who their parents are.
Route 6: Service and exceptional grants
Military service is a route in a few countries. The French Foreign Legion recruits foreigners, and its official recruitment site says legionnaires can apply for French nationality after five years of service. The first contract lasts five years, and service is demanding by any standard.
Most countries also allow discretionary grants to people whose presence serves the national interest, such as athletes, scientists and artists. These are not applications anyone can plan around, but they exist. Our guide to citizenship by exception explains how discretionary naturalization works.
What 'without investment' still costs
These routes avoid a large contribution, but they are rarely free. Common costs include:
- Documents. Certified birth, marriage and death records, often for several generations, plus apostilles.
- Translations. Certified translations into the language of the country you apply to.
- Professional help. Genealogists, lawyers or document services, especially for complex ancestry claims.
- Government fees. Application and passport fees, which vary by country.
- Living costs. For naturalization, the real cost is years of rent, permits and life in the country.
Time is the largest cost. Consulate backlogs can stretch ancestry claims to several years, and naturalization periods are measured in years before an application can even start.
Before you start
Two checks come first. Confirm that your current country allows dual citizenship, since some countries end your citizenship when you take another. Then confirm that the new country does not require you to give up your existing nationality. Requirements also change often, as Italy's 2025 reform showed, so official government sources are the place to confirm the current rules.
Frequently asked questions
What is the easiest second passport to get without investment?
For people with Irish grandparents, the Foreign Births Register is often the simplest route. Without ancestry, countries with short naturalization periods, such as Paraguay with three years, are among the most accessible, though they require living there.
Can I get a second passport through my grandparents?
Often, yes. Ireland, Poland and Hungary, among others, have routes through grandparents, and Italy still allows some claims through a parent or grandparent after its 2025 reform, under stricter conditions. Each country sets its own conditions, such as where the grandparent was born and whether citizenship was ever lost.
Does marriage give automatic citizenship?
Rarely. In most countries marriage shortens the naturalization period instead of granting citizenship directly. Spain and the US are typical examples, reducing the residence requirement for spouses of citizens.
How long does citizenship by descent take?
It depends on the country and the consulate. Some registrations take months once documents are complete, while others take several years because of backlogs. Gathering records for each generation can take as long as the application itself.
Important: This article is general information, not tax, legal or financial advice. Rules change often and depend on your personal circumstances. Speak with a qualified professional in each relevant country before you act.