An Unmistakable Trend
The data is striking. Henley & Partners reported that inquiries from US nationals seeking alternative residence or citizenship increased 183% year-over-year in early 2025. One prominent advisor told Forbes that Americans went from 4% to 74% of his business since 2019. And for the first time since the Great Depression, more people left the United States than moved to it in 2025. Whatever one's politics, the pattern among globally mobile Americans is clear: second citizenship has moved from an exotic idea to a mainstream form of planning.
What's Driving It
The motivations are varied and personal. For many wealthy Americans, it is about optionality — having a backup plan, a second place to go, insurance against political or economic uncertainty at home. As one advisor put it, clients increasingly want "a combo" — two citizenships and a green card elsewhere. Some collect citizenships deliberately as a diversification strategy, the way others diversify a portfolio. The specific trigger varies — political climate, tax considerations, lifestyle, family security — but the underlying theme is the same: reducing dependence on any single country.
The Routes Americans Are Choosing
Americans are pursuing several distinct paths. Citizenship by descent is often the first and best option — advisors report always exploring ancestry first, because if you qualify through an Irish, Italian, or other grandparent, it is dramatically cheaper than buying citizenship. Irish citizenship inquiries through ancestry jumped 63% in a year, and after Canada removed generational limits, American applications surged there too. For those without qualifying ancestry, Caribbean citizenship by investment offers a passport in months for roughly $200,000–$250,000, and EU golden visas (Greece, Portugal) offer European residency leading to eventual citizenship.
The Descent-First Principle
The most important practical advice for Americans: check your ancestry before spending on investment programs. Citizenship by descent — through parents or grandparents from Ireland, Italy, and many other countries — can deliver a powerful EU passport for the cost of paperwork and patience, not a six-figure investment. Countless Americans are eligible without realizing it. Only after exhausting the descent route does it make sense to consider paid programs. This single principle can save an American family hundreds of thousands of dollars, which is why reputable advisors always start there. Our citizenship by descent guide covers the basics.
Thinking Clearly About a Backup Passport
For Americans considering this, a few honest points help. A second citizenship does not require renouncing US citizenship — the US permits dual citizenship, so a backup passport is additive, not a replacement (though US citizens retain US tax obligations regardless of where they live, a critical detail for tax planning). The right route depends on your ancestry, budget, and goals: descent if you qualify, Caribbean CBI for fast mobility, EU golden visas for European access. And because this is both an emotional and a technical decision, honest guidance matters — the goal is a plan that genuinely fits your family, not the most expensive option an advisor can sell.
Where to Start
If you are among the many Americans thinking about this in 2026, start with the free and obvious: investigate whether you qualify for citizenship by descent. Then, if descent isn't available or you want additional options, weigh Caribbean CBI and golden visas against your goals and budget. A strategy call can map your ancestry possibilities and investment options together, so you pursue the cheapest effective route first rather than overpaying for something you might already be entitled to.