Second Passport for German Citizens 2026: Citizenship by Investment Without Renouncing German Citizenship

Has German nationality law really changed for German citizens?

Yes — and fundamentally so. The Act to Modernise the Nationality Law, which entered into force on 27 June 2024, marks the most significant reform of German nationality law in decades. Previously, any German citizen who voluntarily acquired a foreign nationality generally lost their German passport — with very few narrowly defined exceptions (such as EU citizens or persons unable to renounce their original citizenship).

The new legal framework permits multiple citizenship for all German nationals. Anyone acquiring a second citizenship through Citizenship by Investment (CBI) — whether in the Caribbean, the Pacific or elsewhere — retains their German passport in full. This paradigm shift is the direct result of decades of advocacy and societal change in an increasingly globalised world.

The German federal government's official explanatory memorandum confirms: multiple citizenship is now the rule, not the exception. For German HNWIs who have been interested in CBI for years, the largest historical obstacle has fallen.

Which CBI options are now available to German citizens — and what do they cost?

The market for Citizenship by Investment in 2026 offers a wider choice than ever. For Germans, who can now invest for the first time without forfeiting their nationality, the landscape is as follows:

For a comprehensive overview of all programmes, visit the Mirabello Citizenship by Investment hub. None of these programmes impose a residency requirement to obtain or retain citizenship — except for the planned ECCIRA minimum stay of 30 days, currently announced for mid-2026 but not yet in force.

What does the German exit tax mean for Germans with a second passport?

For DACH HNWIs considering emigration, the exit tax has been the most pressing fiscal issue since 2025. Anyone emigrating to an EU/EEA country benefits from an automatic, free, indefinite deferral — the exit tax becomes payable only on the actual sale of the holdings.

A second passport complements this strategy in two ways:

1. Mobility option: A Caribbean passport enables visa-free travel to numerous countries and creates genuine international flexibility — independent of geopolitical developments.
2. Structuring option: Combined with a Golden Visa (e.g. Greece or Portugal) and subsequent naturalisation, a long-term portfolio of two or more passports and residences emerges — the highest standard for mobility and wealth protection.

Since January 2026, the German Federal Ministry of Finance has activated the mandatory §6 AStG reporting form — compliance pressure on German investors continues to rise. The time to act is now. Mirabello Consultancy coordinates CBI structuring jointly with tax advisers in Germany and the destination country.

Which second passport is the most cost-effective for Germans in 2026?

São Tomé & Príncipe offers the lowest entry point of any CBI programme at approximately $90,000. The West African island state grants visa-free Schengen access — genuine added value for international travellers. Processing time is 6–9 months.

Nauru — the world's smallest independent state — offers a special-rate window until 30 June 2026: citizenship from approximately $90,000. After that date, the price rises to $115,000. For those who wish to act quickly, the window is less than three months. Processing time: 3–4 months.

Vanuatu Development Support Programme (DSP) is the first choice for Germans who prioritise speed: a second passport in 30–60 days is unique worldwide. Vanuatu offers visa-free access to more than 90 countries, including the Schengen area. Full information on the Vanuatu DSP →

For those seeking geopolitical flexibility alongside travel value, Mirabello Consultancy recommends Grenada: the Grenada CBI programme (details on the Grenada programme →) is the only Caribbean CBI programme that grants its citizens access to the US E-2 investor visa — a substantial advantage for entrepreneurs operating in the United States.

Are EU residence permits an alternative to a second passport?

German HNWIs in 2026 have two distinct investment routes to choose from:

Route 1 — CBI (immediate citizenship): Programmes such as Vanuatu, Dominica or Grenada grant full citizenship and a second passport within weeks or months. No residency required. Ideal for clients seeking immediate travel freedom or specific geopolitical protection.

Route 2 — Golden Visa + citizenship pathway (long-term): The Greece Golden Visa grants EU residency from €250,000 (start-up route) or €400,000 (real estate). After 7 years of residency, Greek citizenship — an EU passport — becomes possible. The Portugal Golden Visa offers, from €250,000 (fund route) or €500,000 (funds, with the NHR 2.0 tax regime), EU residency with a citizenship pathway after 5 years.

For exit-tax planning, Route 2 is particularly attractive: an EU residence activates the automatic deferral. Combined with a Caribbean passport as an immediate second travel document, a dual-track strategy emerges that combines maximum mobility with fiscal efficiency. All programmes at a glance: Best Golden Visa programmes 2026.

Who benefits most from a second passport in 2026?

In its DACH advisory practice, Mirabello Consultancy typically identifies four profiles for whom a second passport is especially valuable:

1. The internationally active entrepreneur: Frequent visa hurdles, difficulties opening accounts abroad, travel restrictions in certain markets — a second passport solves these operational problems with a single investment. Grenada CBI additionally offers US E-2 visa access for entrepreneurs investing in the United States.

2. The investor planning emigration: Anyone considering emigration on account of the exit tax, high income tax or general regulatory density benefits from a second passport as a preparatory step. The passport can be acquired today — actual emigration can follow years later.

3. The family with an international lifestyle: Children in international education, relatives of different nationalities, properties across multiple countries — a second passport creates flexibility for every family member. Importantly, most CBI programmes include family members (spouse, minor children) on favourable terms.

4. The wealth protector: In a world of growing geopolitical uncertainty, rising tax burdens and shrinking privacy, a second citizenship offers a legally robust anchor for international structures. According to the Henley Citizenship Program Index 2026, 165,000 HNWIs are projected to emigrate globally in 2026 — Germans are among the fastest-growing segments.

How does Mirabello Consultancy work with German clients?

Mirabello Consultancy is the first port of call for German HNWIs seeking a second passport. As an IMC member (Investment Migration Council) and ACAMS-certified advisory firm, headquartered in Zurich with an office in Dubai, we bring the Swiss standard of precision and discretion to every engagement.

Our approach for German clients:

• Initial analysis: We analyse your situation holistically — wealth structure, travel needs, fiscal position, family situation and long-term goals.
• Programme selection: Based on the initial analysis, we recommend 1–3 programmes that align optimally with your priorities — with a clear cost-benefit comparison and realistic timelines.
• Application management: We coordinate the entire application preparation, document review, due-diligence support and authority liaison.
• Tax coordination: For DACH clients, we coordinate the CBI structuring with your German tax advisers — particularly in the context of the §6 AStG exit tax.
• Aftercare: Once the second passport is issued, we accompany you through every subsequent step — bank account opening, residency planning and passport renewal.

With more than 250 successfully closed CBI cases and a 99% approval rate, we stand for Swiss precision and personal discretion. We work in 7 languages — English, German, Arabic, Spanish, Russian, Chinese and Italian.

What are the most common questions about a second passport for Germans in 2026?

Since 2024, may a German national truly acquire a second citizenship?
Yes. The Act to Modernise the Nationality Law entered into force on 27 June 2024 and, for the first time, allows German nationals to acquire a second citizenship without surrendering their German passport. This applies equally to Citizenship by Investment (CBI). Restrictions remain only in narrow exceptional cases — for instance compulsory military service in the destination country or certain state security positions.

Which CBI programme offers the best value for Germans in 2026?
That depends on your priorities. For minimum cost: São Tomé (~$90K) or Nauru (~$90K until 30 June 2026). For maximum speed: Vanuatu DSP (30–60 days, $130K). For strategic added value (US E-2 visa): Grenada ($235K). For the most established programme: St. Kitts & Nevis ($250K). Mirabello Consultancy advises you free of charge on which programme best fits your situation.

How long does it take to obtain a second passport via CBI?
Processing times vary considerably: Vanuatu, at 30–60 days, is the fastest programme worldwide. Caribbean programmes (Dominica, Antigua, Grenada, St. Kitts, St. Lucia) typically require 4–6 months. São Tomé takes 6–9 months and Nauru 3–4 months. These figures assume complete and accurate documentation and no unforeseen delays.

Must I live in the country to retain the citizenship?
No — this is one of the major advantages of CBI programmes. Most programmes impose no residency requirement to maintain citizenship. A visit of typically 1–5 days as part of the application process (depending on the programme) is sufficient. The planned ECCIRA residency requirement of 30 days is currently announced for mid-2026 but is not yet in force.

How do I begin with Mirabello Consultancy?
The first step is a free initial consultation with our specialists in Zurich. We analyse your situation and recommend the optimal strategy specifically — without sales pressure, with Swiss discretion. Mirabello Consultancy guides you from programme selection through the application to receiving your second passport. Book your free initial consultation now →