The International Citizenship Index: These are the Best Citizenships to have around the World | IDC (2024)

Dual citizenships allow people to enjoy certain benefits between two countries and can be incredibly powerful. Some benefits to second citizenship include the ability to live and work freely between two countries, own property in both, vote in either country even if the citizen isn’t present in the country, and travel between both countries with ease. People can apply for Italian citizenship for a number of reasons, whether to gain a stronger passport or enjoy the benefits of another country.

Here at Italian Dual Citizenship (IDC), we are experts in obtaining dual citizenship, specifically for Italy with the required documents, and we know what people take into account when applying to become a citizen of another country. That’s why we’ve created an International Citizenship Index to find out which are the best citizenships around the world, considering factors such as passport mobility, human rights, women’s rights, parental leave, political democracy, equal marriage rights and healthcare performance.

The International Citizenship Index: These are the Best Citizenships to have around the World | IDC (1)

Ranking as the best citizenship in the world is Iceland, with Ireland not far behind.

It’s been obvious for some time that Nordic countries tend to have fairly high living standards and one country playing into this rule is Iceland. The European island based in the North Atlantic Ocean feels worlds away from the rest of world, but over the years this has helped it form a society that provides plenty of benefits to its citizens. To have Icelandic citizenship means new fathers can take 12 weeks of paid parental leave to spend with their newborn baby and hom*osexual couples can legally be married within the country.

The country ranks as the top country for woman’s rights. Although the country hasn’t yet achieved equality of the gender pay gap between men and women, it is one of only seven countries to have closed at least 80% of the gap. It also has one of the highest political democracy scores in the world, only second to Norway. All this makes Iceland the best citizenship in the world with its inclusivity, safety and respect of human rights.

Ireland ranked in 2nd place due to the countries high passport mobility score meaning that citizens can visit 170 countries either without a visa or by gaining a visa on arrival. Ireland wins out over Iceland in just a few categories such as its judicial independence, longer maternity leave at 42 weeks compared to Iceland’s 13 weeks, and that those looking to change their gender in Ireland can do so without surgery. However, Ireland’s low paternity leave let the country down with only 2 weeks for new fathers compared to Iceland’s 12 weeks.

The Full Top 10 Best Citizenships:

1. Iceland

2. Ireland

3. Finland

4. Sweden

5. UK

6. Netherlands

7. Denmark

8. Norway

9. Luxembourg

10. New Zealand

The results suggest that European countries tend to offer some of the best citizenships with the top nine countries in our ranking being located in Europe. On reason for this is that the passport of a European country offers great benefits, allowing its owner to travel between the countries of the EU visa-free. These passports also offer extensive travel around the world either visa-free or with short-term tourist visas. All the top 9 European countries support equal marriage and have top marks for their political democracy.

Interestingly, all five of the Nordic countries ranked in the top ten. They all tend to have a similar way of life, history, religion and social structure making it no surprise that they all ranked in the top 10 together. As EU countries they all have a high passport mobility score with the rest of Europe as their oyster, they all support equal marriage, and all have high human rights scores.

New Zealand landed in 10th place as the only country outside of the EU to come into the top ten. The country generally scores well for most categories with a high passport mobility score, political democracy, property rights and equal marriage rights, sharing similar scores with the top European countries. New Zealand is also the 4th top country for human rights in the world.

We were pleased to see that Italy also ranked as one of the best citizenships in the world at 22, ranking high for freedom of movement, healthcare, transgender rights and labour standards.

The results by continent are as below:

The best citizenship in Europe: Iceland

The best citizenship in South America: Uruguay

The best citizenship in North America: Canada

The best citizenship in Oceania: New Zealand

The best citizenship in Africa: South Africa

The best citizenship in Asia: Israel

Methodology

To create our International Citizenship Index, we looked at the following factors:

  • Freedom of Movement
  • Healthcare Performance
  • Judicial Independence
  • Political Democracy
  • Property Rights
  • Equal Marriage Rights
  • Transgender Rights
  • Women’s Rights
  • Human Rights
  • Labor Standards
  • Maternity Leave
  • Paternity Leave

Using these categories, we established an overall International Citizenship Index score by scoring each country out of 5 across the elements and totaling this together, allowing for the highest available total score of 60.

The full dataset is available on request.

Sources:

https://www.passportindex.org/byRank.php

https://www.who.int/healthinfo/paper30.pdf

http://reports.weforum.org/global-competitiveness-report-2019/competitiveness-rankings/#series=EOSQ144

https://www.eiu.com/topic/democracy-index

http://reports.weforum.org/global-competitiveness-report-2019/competitiveness-rankings/#series=EOSQ05

https://www.equaldex.com/

http://reports.weforum.org/global-gender-gap-report-2018/results-and-analysis/

https://ourworldindata.org/human-rights

http://reports.weforum.org/global-competitiveness-report-2019/competitiveness-rankings/#series=WORKRIGHT

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parental_leave

This page was last updated by Jason LoPresti


Additional Resources:

The International Citizenship Index: These are the Best Citizenships to have around the World | IDC (2024)

FAQs

What are the best citizenships in the world? ›

View the full ranking here.
  • The United States. The United States has the second strongest passport. ...
  • Sweden. Sweden deservedly ranks high on our list. ...
  • Denmark. One of the happiest countries in the World, Denmark boasts a high place on our list. ...
  • The Netherlands. ...
  • Finland. ...
  • The United Kingdom. ...
  • Canada. ...
  • Norway.
Apr 22, 2023

What is the index of citizenship? ›

The Quality of Nationality Index (QNI) ranks the quality of nationalities based on internal and external factors. Each nationality receives an aggregated score based on economic strength, human development, ease of travel, political stability and overseas employment opportunities for their citizens.

Can you have 3 citizenships in USA? ›

Yes, the U.S. does allow for triple citizenship and does not require naturalized U.S. citizens to give up citizenship in their home country or other countries.

What are the most citizenships you can have? ›

How Many Citizenships Can You Have: Bottom Line. The answer is you can have as many as you want, depending on your original citizenship. While some countries allow dual citizenship or many citizenships at the same time, others do not and require you to renounce your previous citizenship.

What is the most citizenships one person can have? ›

In theory, there is no limit to the number of citizenships that one person can hold, providing it is lawful to have more than one in all the countries involved. Whether you can have dual nationality, or multiple nationalities, depends on the citizenship laws in each nation you are part of.

Which country is easiest to get US citizenship? ›

Due to the program's efficient and rapid process, Antigua and Barbuda is considered one of the easiest countries to get citizenship by investment. The Antigua and Barbuda passport provides its holders visa-free travel to over 140 nations worldwide.

What are 3 good citizenship values? ›

Values:
  • Care and Compassion.
  • Doing Your Best.
  • Fair Go.
  • Freedom.
  • Honesty and Trustworthiness.
  • Integrity.
  • Respect.
  • Responsibility.

What are the 4 levels of citizenship? ›

In all, there are four fundamental ways to become a U.S. citizen: citizenship by birth in the U.S., citizenship through derivation, citizenship through acquisition, and citizenship through naturalization.

What is the best citizenship grade? ›

“O” = Outstanding

He or she is respectful at all times and is an active participant in class. In addition, students who receive an "O" in citizenship demonstrate kindness and respect for fellow classmates, not just adults on campus, on a daily basis.

Can a U.S. citizen enter the US without a passport? ›

The American Citizen Services Section wants to remind all U.S. citizens not to travel outside the United States without a valid U.S. passport. While dual citizens may be able to travel abroad with alternative documentation, all U.S. citizens are required to present a U.S. passport to re-enter the United States.

How many citizenships can you have as a U.S. citizen? ›

U.S. law does not mention dual nationality or require a person to choose one nationality or another. A U.S. citizen may naturalize in a foreign state without any risk to his or her U.S. citizenship.

Can a U.S. citizen hold two passports? ›

There are multiple ways Americans can qualify for a second citizenship, including via marriage, birth, or citizenship by investment, a concept known as Golden Visa. In addition to having two passports from different countries, Americans can also simultaneously hold two U.S. passports.

How can you have 3 citizenships? ›

The US, Mexico, and Honduras all allow triple citizenship through birthright, so this person would technically have a claim to citizenship by birthright in all three countries. Another way someone could obtain citizenship in two or more countries is through naturalization.

How many citizenships can you get in a lifetime? ›

To answer the question, “How many citizenships can you have?” The answer boils down to what your native country allows. You can acquire as many citizenships as you want to, provided the citizenship laws in your home country or any country you hold citizen allow dual or multiple citizenships.

Can I have 6 citizenships? ›

Is it possible to obtain multiple citizenships? The answer is yes! You may have three or even six nationalities. But legislation in some countries does not allow dual citizenship: you may lose the citizenship of your home country.

What is the strongest passport in the world? ›

No. 1 most powerful passport in the world: Japan

As of 2023, Japanese passport holders can visit 193 of 227 destinations visa-free, which is 85% of the world, according to data from the International Air Transport Association compiled by Henley & Partners.

Can you have 10 citizenships? ›

You are allowed to have dual citizenship or more in the US. The American government does not require you to renounce any citizenship if you obtain dual citizenship, and it even allows you to have more than just dual citizenship and become a multiple citizenship holder.

Which passport is the first in the world? ›

Japan has the most powerful passport in the world for the 5th year in a row, according to the Henley Passport Index. South Korea and Singapore are tied for 2nd place. The Index ranks all of the world's passports by the number of destinations their holders can access without obtaining a visa in advance.

Which country is best for getting citizenship? ›

Top 5 Countries to be a Citizen (2021)
  • The United Kingdom – best across the board.
  • Australia – best for education.
  • Finland – the happiest country on earth.
  • The United States – best for business.
  • Switzerland – a great place to live.

What country is it easiest for Americans to get second citizenship? ›

Sometimes a person can get second citizenship automatically.

Different countries have different rules, but the easiest countries to get dual citizenship are states like Turkey, Vanuatu, Grenada, and Dominica. They offer citizenship by investment that can be obtained in 2—8 months.

Where can US citizens go without a visa? ›

AMERICAS: American Samoa, Argentina, Belize, Bermuda, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Falkland Islands, French Guiana, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, and Uruguay.

What are examples of good citizenship? ›

Being a good citizen
  • having respect for others and their property.
  • knowing your rights and respecting the rights of others.
  • being informed on the issues of the day.
  • learning the facts of our true history, both good and bad.
  • having compassion and empathy for others.
  • taking responsibility for your own actions.
Jan 24, 2023

What makes a good citizen in America? ›

Good citizenship is sometimes viewed as requiring both intellectual skills (such as critical thinking) and participatory skills (such as deliberating civilly, monitoring the government, building coalitions, managing conflict peacefully and fairly, and petitioning, speaking or testifying before public bodies).

Who is called a good citizen? ›

A Good citizen respects and abides by all the law and order of the country and responsible for rights and duties, such as casting a vote, paying taxes, health care, work for the government, helping others with compassion, serving the people participating in politics and protecting the country (military service).

What are 3 citizenship examples? ›

Usually, citizenship based on circ*mstances of birth is automatic, but an application may be required.
  • Citizenship by family (jus sanguinis). ...
  • Citizenship by birth (jus soli). ...
  • Citizenship by marriage (jus matrimonii). ...
  • Naturalization. ...
  • Citizenship by investment or Economic Citizenship. ...
  • Citizenship by Honorary Conferment.

What are 4 characteristics of good citizenship? ›

What does it mean to be a Good Citizen?
  • Good citizens do their share to help their families and communities to be better.
  • They are good neighbors.
  • They obey rules, laws, cooperate with others.
  • They respect parents, teachers, and others in authority.
  • They protect the environment.

What are the 5 requirements for citizenship? ›

Be able to read, write, and speak basic English; Demonstrate good moral character; Demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of U.S. history and government; Demonstrate a loyalty to the principles of the U.S. Constitution; and.

What is the best proof of US citizenship? ›

Proof of Citizenship for U.S. Citizens
  • Birth certificate showing birth in the United States;
  • Form N-550, Certificate of Naturalization;
  • Form N-560, Certificate of Citizenship;
  • Form FS-240, Report of Birth Abroad of United States Citizen; or.
  • Valid unexpired U.S. passport.
Jul 10, 2020

Do citizenship grades matter? ›

Citizenship grades do not determine a students' ability to achieve academic success and are not considered by colleges. Attendance and citizenship do not harm a student's success after high school unless a student is constantly absent and does not make an effort causing them to fall behind in academics.

Is the citizenship test harder? ›

Critics say the new test is harder for English learners. It features more nuanced questions and highlights such issues as states' rights and the Vietnam War.

How long can a US citizen stay out of the country? ›

While the normal limit is a year, you can stay longer and still preserve your US citizen if you are a military service member, Government employee, or meet any other criteria discussed above i.e., work for a US multinational or you proactively preserve residence.

Can a US citizen be denied entry back into the USA? ›

Citizens: You only have to answer questions establishing your identity and citizenship (in addition to customs-related questions). Refusal to answer other questions may cause delay, but officials may not deny you entry into the U.S. if you have established your identity and citizenship.

Can I fly without a passport? ›

The good news is that American citizens do not need a passport to fly domestically. You will always need a passport to fly internationally, though. Read on for more info about the types of ID you can use while traveling domestically, upcoming changes to ID that will affect all US travelers, and how to get a passport.

What is my nationality if I was born in USA? ›

General Requirements for Acquisition of Citizenship at Birth. A person born in the United States who is subject to the jurisdiction of the United States is a U.S. citizen at birth, to include a child born to a member of an Indian, Eskimo, Aleutian, or other aboriginal tribe.

What countries allow dual citizenship? ›

List of countries that allow dual citizenship with the US
AlbaniaIcelandPortugal
DenmarkMaliSudan
DjiboutiMaltaSweden
FijiMoldovaSwitzerland
FinlandMoroccoSyria
12 more rows

Which country doesn t allow dual citizenship? ›

Today, most advanced economies allow dual citizenship; notable exceptions which restrict or forbid it are Austria, Japan, the Netherlands, and Singapore.

Do dual citizens pay taxes in both countries? ›

Being a dual citizen means that a person is considered a citizen/national of two countries at the same time, and is subject to both country's tax laws. Something to remember is that each country has its own laws dictating who qualifies as a citizen.

What happens if you travel with 2 passports? ›

The advantage of having 2 passports is that one passport might grant the holder access to online visas or visa-free entry to destinations that the other does not. For example, a dual citizen of both the US and Cuba will find it easier to visit Brazil with their US passport.

How many countries does the US passport have access to? ›

With the power of the US passport, you can travel to 186 countries or territories visa-free or with a visa on arrival.

Do you lose your Mexican citizenship when you become a U.S. citizen? ›

A U.S. citizen may naturalize in a foreign state without any risk to his or her U.S. citizenship. However, persons who acquire a foreign nationality after age 18 by applying for it may relinquish their U.S. nationality if they wish to do so.

Can you have 4 citizenships in USA? ›

Yes, there is no restriction on obtaining multiple citizenship and passports through the legal citizenship programs. Many citizens from the United States invest in multiple programs to have more than one citizenship and passport.

Can Mexicans have 3 citizenships? ›

Triple citizenship is sometimes described as multiple citizenship, and is theoretically allowed in Mexico. You don't need to give up previous nationalities to become a Mexican citizen, so holding other citizenships won't affect your chances of becoming a Mexican citizen.

What is the fastest way to become a U.S. citizen? ›

Military and marriage-related naturalization are usually the fastest, but even a typical green card route may take as little as five years.

How long does it take for a foreigner to become a U.S. citizen? ›

The processing time for naturalization (citizenship) averages 8-14 months according to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). During this time, as the government works to process the Application for Naturalization, applicants must complete several steps before becoming citizens.

Can you get dual citizenship based on DNA? ›

One of the easiest ways to acquire dual citizenship is by descent. Many countries let you claim citizenship if your parents, grandparents or — in some cases — great grandparents were born in said country. There are other avenues to dual citizenship too, with some of the most popular being investment and naturalization.

Which country is easiest to get citizenship? ›

List of Easiest Countries to get Permanent Residency
  • Canada. Canada is largely considered the easiest country to immigrate to and acquire citizenship status. ...
  • New Zealand. New Zealand offers a Skilled Migration Program for individuals aged under 55 years. ...
  • Portugal. ...
  • Thailand. ...
  • Ireland. ...
  • Australia.
Dec 26, 2022

What is the easiest way to get a second passport? ›

What is the easiest way to get a second passport? If you don't have the right to citizenship from another country through naturalization, descent, or marriage, citizenship by investment is the easiest way to get a second valid passport.

Which country nationality is best? ›

  • United Kingdom – best across the board. ...
  • Australia – best for education. ...
  • Finland – the happiest country on earth. ...
  • United States of America – best for business. ...
  • Switzerland – a great place to live.

Can you have 7 citizenships? ›

Yes, there is no restriction on obtaining multiple citizenship and passports through the legal citizenship programs. Many citizens from the United States invest in multiple programs to have more than one citizenship and passport.

What country is the hardest to be a citizen in? ›

17 Hardest Countries To Get Citizenship [Updated May 2023]
  • Japan.
  • United Arab Emirates.
  • San Marino.
  • Austria.
  • Monaco.
  • Finland.
  • Singapore.
  • Brunei Darussalem.

What is the most powerful nationality in the world? ›

The United States remains the most powerful country in the world, followed by China and Russia. However, the balance of power may shift in the coming years as countries like India and Brazil continue to grow economically and assert themselves on the global stage.

What is the most important nationality in the world? ›

The U.S. is considered the most influential country in the world, according to a global survey.

How many passports can you have as a US citizen? ›

The USA allows its citizens to have as many passports as they need. They are not required to renounce their American citizenship. However, other countries can demand a person to renounce their US citizenship. The US citizens can have dual citizenship with 62 countries, including the UK, Canada and Australia.

Can a US citizen hold multiple citizenships? ›

The US allows dual citizenship for its citizens. This means that you can hold your US passport and be a citizen in another country at the same time. In such a scenario, you will be a citizen of two countries and share the same rights and responsibilities with other citizens in each country.

Can Americans have two citizenships? ›

Learn about dual citizenship

Whether born an American citizen or naturalized, if you have dual citizenship, you: Owe allegiance to both the U.S. and a foreign country. Must use a U.S. passport to enter and leave the U.S. Do not have to choose one nationality over the other.

Why is it so hard to be a U.S. citizen? ›

Why Is It So Hard To Become A U.S. citizen? It is hard because of the long processing times, the financial and personal costs involved, and the fact that most immigrants do not have a direct relative that is a citizen of the United States.

Which country is easy to live? ›

For many years, Canada has been known as the most friendly country to immigrants. In 2023, this is still the case because the majority of Canada's population are either immigrants or second or third-generation immigrants.

Which country has the most citizens leaving? ›

India has the largest number of natives living abroad with 17.9 million people in total.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Tuan Roob DDS

Last Updated:

Views: 5768

Rating: 4.1 / 5 (62 voted)

Reviews: 85% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Tuan Roob DDS

Birthday: 1999-11-20

Address: Suite 592 642 Pfannerstill Island, South Keila, LA 74970-3076

Phone: +9617721773649

Job: Marketing Producer

Hobby: Skydiving, Flag Football, Knitting, Running, Lego building, Hunting, Juggling

Introduction: My name is Tuan Roob DDS, I am a friendly, good, energetic, faithful, fantastic, gentle, enchanting person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.