The question is rarely “which is the best second passport” and usually “which is the best second passport I can afford.” This guide answers the second question, tier by tier, using complete costs rather than headline contributions.
All figures are for a single applicant, all-in, from CitizenX’s July 2026 pricing except Vanuatu, which is the complete government cost with no agent fee.
São Tomé and Príncipe, ~$105,000. The cheapest passport in the world. 61 destinations, no Schengen, UK or US. Five months. Preferential access to Portugal through CPLP. Ineligible if you already hold three citizenships. Launched 2025.
Sierra Leone, ~$121,000. 64 destinations. Six months. Little track record.
Nauru (Naoero), ~$128,000 until December 2026. 87 destinations including the UK. Nine months in practice, interview required, paper passport. The most generous family definition in the market, including siblings. Launched 2025.
What this tier buys. A second citizenship as a pure backup, for someone who already holds a strong passport and does not expect to bank on or travel much with the new one. What it does not buy. Passport strength, speed, track record or banking acceptance.
Vanuatu, $135,000 (DSP) or $165,000 (CIIP). The only established programme in this band. 100+ countries and territories including Singapore, Hong Kong, Macao, Malaysia, Russia and most of the Caribbean, Pacific, Africa and Asia; no Schengen or UK. As little as 45 days. No interview. Fully remote. Hereditary. Zero personal, capital gains, inheritance and wealth tax. On the CIIP, $50,000 is returned after four years and a family of four is included at one price. Stablecoin payment accepted. Programme since 2012.
What this tier buys. Everything the backup tier does, plus speed, a thirteen-year track record, banking acceptance, a real jurisdiction to live and do business in, and money back. What it does not buy. Europe.
For most people with this budget, Vanuatu is the answer, and for families the CIIP’s fixed family price means it is often cheaper than the backup tier once dependants are counted.
Dominica, ~$243,000. 143 destinations, Schengen but not UK. Nine months. Interview.
Antigua and Barbuda, ~$274,000. 153 destinations, Schengen and UK. Eighteen months. Five-day visit required.
St Lucia, ~$276,000. 146 destinations, Schengen and UK. Up to two years.
Grenada, ~$280,000. 147 destinations, Schengen, UK, China visa-free, US E-2 treaty. Six months.
St Kitts and Nevis, ~$288,000. 154 destinations, Schengen and UK. Six months. The industry benchmark since 1984.
What this tier buys. Visa-free Europe and the UK, and forty years of history. What it does not buy. Speed, a refund, or a fixed family price. Dependants add $25,000–75,000 or more each.
If you need Europe, spend here. Grenada or St Kitts for speed; Dominica if price matters more than the UK.
Türkiye, ~$448,000. $400,000 in real estate, held three years then saleable. 112 destinations, no Schengen or UK. Nine months. A large economy you can actually live and do business in. The real estate is the point; the passport is secondary.
El Salvador, ~$1,021,000. $1 million in Bitcoin or USDT. 134 destinations. Ten weeks. A statement as much as a citizenship.
Malta, over €1 million plus residence. Full EU citizenship with the right to live and work anywhere in the Union. A year or more, physical residence required. The only programme that buys Europe as a home rather than a destination.
| Budget | Pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Under $130K | Nauru or São Tomé | Cheapest possible backup; Nauru if family size or UK matters |
| $130–200K | Vanuatu | Speed, refund, family price, track record, zero tax |
| $200–300K | Grenada or St Kitts | Schengen and UK in six months |
| $400–500K | Türkiye | A real economy plus a saleable asset |
| $1M+ | Malta | EU citizenship, if you will actually live there |
What is the cheapest second passport?
São Tomé and Príncipe or Nauru, from $90,000 contribution, around $105,000–128,000 all-in.
What is the best second passport under $200,000?
Vanuatu. Nothing else in the band has its speed, track record or refundable option.
What is the best second passport for Europe?
St Kitts or Grenada at around $280,000–290,000, or Malta at over €1 million for full EU rights.
Do prices include agent fees?
CitizenX’s figures do. Vanuatu’s through Stanford Knight has none to include.
Use the cost calculator for a Vanuatu figure for your family, or book a consultation and we will map your budget to the right programme, whichever it is.
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