The 5 Leading Dual Citizenship Destinations for Americans in 2026

As global mobility, geopolitical risk, and long-term family planning increasingly shape citizenship decisions, a new 2026 comparative assessment places Portugal at the top of the global rankings for Americans seeking dual citizenship when evaluated through a multi-dimensional, forward-looking lens.

The assessment examined five leading destinations across seven criteria, scoring each on a scale of 0 to 10 for a total possible score of 70. In addition to traditional metrics—such as tax treatment, passport strength, and process speed—the framework incorporated geopolitical and reputational safety, culture and long-term quality of life/desirability, geopolicital and reputational safety, and family inclusion and benefits.

“Citizenship decisions are no longer just about tax efficiency or visa-free travel,” said Amanda Collison, Research Representative at the World Digital Foundation. “Families are asking whether a country will still be desirable, safe, and offer a high-quality lifestyle.”

Key Findings

Portugal ranked first overall, driven by exceptional performance in quality of life, family integration, cultural longevity, and geopolitical connectivity and safety, with Portugal’s broader stability and lifestyle proposition being key benefits.

“Portugal stands out because its value doesn’t collapse if incentives change,” Collison added. “Its culture, safety, and reputation are intrinsic assets, not policy-dependent benefits.”

Italy ranked highly due to its strong tax regime and cultural appeal, though bureaucratic complexity and slower citizenship pathways limited its overall score. Ireland placed second overall, while Canada continued to perform strongly as a family-centric, institutionally robust option, and Malta ranked 5th, offset by rising reputational scrutiny at the EU level.

Top 5 Dual Citizenship Destinations for Americans (2026)

Looking Ahead

The report concludes that long-term desirability, reputational safety, and family livability are becoming the decisive differentiators in global citizenship planning.

“The most resilient citizenship strategies are those rooted in countries people genuinely want to live in,” Collison said. “Portugal exemplifies that shift.”