The global crisis is forcing people to look for safe places to live, and the inhabitants of the Russian Federation are no exception. According to the State Statistics Committee, in 2014 more than 250,000 of our fellow citizens left for permanent residence in the CIS countries and another 50,000 went to seek their fortune in far abroad countries. For those who are thinking about such a decision, it is important to know which citizenship is easiest to obtain.

In many states, the purchase of real estate is one of the simplest citizenship acquisition schemes. In which country is it easy to obtain citizenship for a Russian who has the means to buy a home or commercial space?

In Europe

EU countries have figured out how to attract wealthy foreigners from outside the community. A few hundred thousand euros are enough to buy a residential or commercial facility so that a passport that facilitates business travel around the world ends up in a businessman's pocket.

These countries include:

• Spain: The migration authorities grant residence permits to persons who have invested more than €500,000 in commercial real estate. In addition, foreign investors who have bought government bonds worth 2 million euros or invested at least half of this amount in a local company can also count on assistance in resolving migration issues.
• Latvia: in order to obtain a five-year residence permit, a foreigner must invest at least €143,000 in real estate in the capital or purchase housing worth €71,500 in other localities of the country. The owner of the property, who has not lost the right of ownership during this period, receives a green light to apply for permanent residence.
• Czech Republic: a few years ago, the country's authorities initiated the issuance of residence permits and multiple visas for foreign citizens who own any real estate. Unlike a tourist visa, a permit can be extended for a period of 2-5 years without returning to your home country. Five years of residence in the Czech Republic entitles you to apply for permanent residence.
• Bulgaria: the status of "Extended stay" (annual permit) is issued to foreigners who have purchased real estate for a total of €300,000. A five-fold extension of the permit gives the right to issue long-term residence for another 5 years
• Greece: here they are loyal to buyers of real estate worth from €250,000. The investor and his family members receive a residence permit for 5 years.
• Portugal: A residence permit will be allowed to a foreigner who spent at least €500,000 on the purchase of real estate. during the year. After 5 years, you can get permanent residence or citizenship.
• Turkey: buying a property, you can quickly get a residence permit for six months, which is extended for the next 2 years. Although Turkey is among the countries where it is easiest to obtain citizenship, this is unlikely to be of interest to many. A Turkish passport, for example, does not allow you to travel freely within the Schengen area.

In the Caribbean

Those who have been on a tour to the islands of the Caribbean dream of settling in this paradise forever. How and where is the easiest way to get Caribbean citizenship?

Saint Kitts and Nevis has developed an extremely fast and uncomplicated second citizenship program. Buying real estate at a price of $ 400,000 makes it possible to obtain a local passport.

Holders of this document can visit without visas:

• Canada;
• Ireland;
• Great Britain;
• Japan
• countries of the Schengen community.

A residence permit in Costa Rica will be issued to those who have bought property worth over 155,000 €. After 10 years, you can apply for citizenship, and with it - a Spanish residence permit, thanks to simplified migration laws.

For an investment in Dominica real estate in the same amount, you can become a citizen and freely visit the states of Southeast Asia, South America, the UK, Ireland and Switzerland.

Citizenship by investment

Which countries "sell" citizenship for investment in the economy? Cypriot President Nikos Anastasiades promised that now everyone who invests at least 3 million euros in the island's economy can become citizens, and $500,000 should be earmarked for the purchase of their own housing.

It is not difficult to become a citizen of Bulgaria. Residents who have invested 500,000 € and created 10 jobs in economically difficult regions of the country will receive a residence permit. Austria is conducting a similar program, but with higher requirements: investments must be 6-10 million euros, contribute to a significant increase in the number of jobs or innovation in a particular industry.

Other countries where it is easiest to obtain citizenship for an injection into the treasury are:

• Hungary - gives the right to five years of residence in the country to all those who have purchased government bonds in the amount of 250,000 €;
• Ireland and Greece - expect investments from 300,000 €;
• Estonia - A residence permit is issued after investing 64,000 € in the local economy.

Poland is one of the few exceptions. The legislation of this country does not provide for the issuance of citizenship or permanent residence in exchange for investment.

Legalization speed

For those who have invested in the economy, an expedited status is possible. In which country can I quickly obtain citizenship? The list includes:

• Dominica (a passport is issued immediately after the acquisition of real estate);
• Saint Kitts and Nevis (after 3-4 months);
• Malta (after 6 - 8 months);
• Austria (passport will be issued in 9-18 months).

Other ways to get a passport

In which country is it easiest to obtain citizenship for those who are unable to buy real estate? The authorities of the Dominican Republic have established almost the simplest standards in the world for granting a residence permit. Any foreigner can submit a package of documents for an annual residence permit, providing health certificates and that he is not on the international wanted list. Buying a property is not required.

The right of blood and the law of return are valid in Israel (it is enough to prove that the parents or grandparents were of Jewish origin), Poland (those who confirmed Polish origin immediately receive the Pole's Card) and Hungary.

What citizenship is easiest for a Russian to get without investing? A residence permit in the UK - one of the most prosperous European countries - is easiest to obtain after a 4-year stay in the country for students of local universities and migrant workers who came on a work visa.

Getting an education is a great way to settle in the Czech Republic. Moreover, it is not difficult to learn the local language, and education can be free for both citizens and foreigners.

Through employment

There are countries where it is easy to obtain citizenship by starting with a work visa. Among them is Canada. The approach of the country's migration authorities to the selection of applicants is simple. Work permit holders must have a higher education, work experience of at least 4 years and speak good English and French.

It is easy to move to Australia. Interestingly, the migration service assigns points for compliance with the requirements. For example, the list of requirements includes:

1. Age up to 40 years (applicants aged 25-32 will receive the highest score).
2. The presence of a profession in demand and work experience (specialists in the field of IT, law, medicine and education with an experience of 8 years or more can count on the highest score).
3. Good command of English.
4. Satisfactory health.

Among migrants who want to obtain citizenship of another country, the United States is the most popular.

The presence of a Green Card gives a foreigner a lot of rights and freedoms, so the States is one of the countries where you can live without citizenship without feeling disadvantaged.

To get a document, you can:

• get a job in a local company;
• win the annual free lottery draw;
• create a family with a citizen of the country.

In the latter case, the minimum period of mandatory stay for applying for citizenship is 3 years. In other cases, to travel to the US, you need to have at least 400,000 €. This money can be used to buy a home and get a five-year multivisa. To obtain a residence permit, you need to live in the States for at least 6 months during each year and file income declarations regularly.

Is citizenship required?

The question in which country one can live without citizenship is of interest to Russians who want to avoid bureaucratic red tape. For example, the complex and expensive process of obtaining Thai citizenship is absolutely unnecessary unless you are going to vote in elections, buy land or earn extra money by auto rickshaw. In most cases, this also applies to other countries of the world, since the presence of permanent residence is quite enough to legalize residence.

Attention! Due to recent changes in legislation, the legal information in this article may be out of date!

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