1. Malta
Passport Power Rank: 8
Malta is a small island just south of Italy, in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea and one of the 7 countries where you can buy citizenship. The country is an EU member, with a stable government and an excellent education system. Malta is a neutral country, with NATO ties, but not formally a member of the alliance. In order to obtain citizenship, a donation to the National Development and Social Fund of €650,000 is required (about $735,000). With additional fees for the application process and lawyers, this amount can easily reach seven figures, with none of it being refundable. The process itself lasts 3 to 4 months, and there’s a 12-months waiting period for a passport. There are cheaper options, like owning or leasing a real estate and investment in government bonds, but they all require a minimum 5-year period before an applicant is eligible for citizenship. Maltese passport allows visa-free entry to over 180 countries, including the USA. More information on Malta’s Individual Investor Programme can be found here.
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