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A growing number of people worldwide are seeking second citizenship as global uncertainty, political tensions, and mobility concerns reshape how passports are used.
Türkiye has become one of the key destinations in this shift, attracting strong international demand through its investment-based citizenship program, while global developments continue to push individuals toward alternative citizenship options.
Türkiye has positioned itself at the center of the expanding citizenship-by-investment market.
Foreign nationals can obtain Turkish citizenship by purchasing property worth at least $400,000 and holding it for three years. The program has attracted significant demand, particularly from applicants in the Middle East and South Asia.
Experts say Türkiye now accounts for roughly half of global citizenship-by-investment approvals.
Sociologist Kristin Surak notes that Türkiye’s scale and accessibility distinguish it from smaller programs.
“Unlike the small island programs, Türkiye is a large regional hub and relatively easy to qualify for,” she told the BBC, adding that the scheme appeals to applicants from countries with more limited mobility.
This demand reflects both geography and function.
Türkiye offers a bridge between regions while also providing an additional layer of mobility for those seeking alternatives.
The rise in second passport applications reflects a broader shift in how citizenship is understood.
Sociologist Yossi Harpaz identifies the core motivations as “mobility and security.” For many, a second passport provides access to alternative places to live and work, while also offering protection against instability or discrimination.
Political uncertainty has intensified this trend. Kristin Surak points to events such as Brexit and polarization in the United States as key drivers. “What were once seen as stable democracies no longer look so stable to many people,” she says.
As a result, more individuals are seeking what Surak describes as “exit options,” even if they do not plan to relocate immediately.
She adds that for many applicants, the second passport serves a psychological function as much as a practical one. “It’s citizenship as an insurance policy,” she says.
Several global developments illustrate this shift:
The pathways to second citizenship vary, but ancestry remains the most common.
Across Europe and North America, individuals are increasingly researching family histories to establish eligibility. Immigration lawyers report a sharp rise in ancestry-based applications, driven both by cultural curiosity and practical benefits such as access to European Union rights.
At the same time, governments have started tightening eligibility. Italy, for example, restricted its system in 2025 to applicants with a parent or grandparent born in the country after a surge in demand.
Alongside ancestry, investment programs continue to expand globally.
The United States has introduced new pathways linked to financial contributions, while Caribbean and European countries maintain similar schemes.
However, experts say these developments also reveal deep inequalities in global mobility.
“This market has emerged at the intersection of inequality between countries… and inequality within countries,” Surak says, pointing to the divide between those who can access such programs and those who cannot.
Global data underscores this disparity. In 2026, Singapore’s passport allows visa-free access to 192 destinations, while Afghanistan’s provides access to only 24.
These differences shape demand for second citizenship and reinforce the idea that passports now function as strategic assets rather than simple identity documents.
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