We don’t choose our place of birth, and our nationality shouldn’t be linked to our achievements, growth, and personal value. However, the Quality of Nationality Index by Henley & Partners has set some objective criteria to compare nationalities and measure their local and global performance. Find out to what extent your nationality allows you to develop your talents inside and outside of your country.
The highest quality nationalities in the world
France's is the nationality with the best quality in the world, according to the most recent Quality of Nationality Index. With 81.7%, the French citizenship surprisingly overtakes the German (81.6%), which had been in the first place for the past seven years. The characteristic that brings France one step ahead of other nationalities is its more significant settlement freedom thanks to the country's colonial times when its empire was spreading around the world.
Europe takes the lead in the index, with the top ten quality nationalities being all European. France's nationality is followed by the nationalities of Germany, Iceland, Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Finland and Italy (both in the eighth place), Switzerland and Ireland (both in the ninth place), and Austria in the tenth. Europe remains one of the wealthiest regions in the world, and a European Union citizenship comes with many benefits such as visa-free travel and freedom of settlement and occupation without the hassle of never-ending formalities.
Up and coming nationalities
European nationalities are monopolising the top ten thanks to Europe's geographical, social, and economic circumstances. However, there are currently other faster-growing economies whose nationalities are gradually climbing. The UAE (46th) has moved up 13 positions since 2013 mainly thanks to the recent introduction of visa-free travel within the Schengen Area. China has also climbed two places since 2016, making it to the 59th position. However, it is not a fact that a prosperous economy automatically grants you with a good quality nationality — Liechtenstein, for example, is a very small economy compared to China, but its nationality is in the 14th place.
The UK (13th) hasn't made it to the top ten, which doesn't come as a surprise when considering that the country is in the process of Brexit. The USA is even further behind taking the 27th place due to its low settlement freedom stemming from stringent migration regulations.
Citizenship-by-investment
If you are looking for a reference tool to select a second or third nationality for you and your family to enjoy more opportunities of business development, peace and stability, and freedom of travel, the Quality of Nationality Index which ranks in total 167 countries can be beneficial.
One of the most popular ways to obtain citizenship nowadays is by investment, meaning that you can skip the cumbersome formalities of the naturalisation process, which includes long periods of permanent residency, proof of your many-years-bond with the country, and knowledge of its language and history. Not every nation, but many are giving foreigners the opportunity to enjoy the benefits of citizenship if they can significantly contribute to the development and economy of the country — usually via business and investment. Austria and Saint Kitts and Nevis are only some of these countries with tradition in citizenship-by-investment.
Malta, another popular expat destination requires a minimum donation of EUR 650,000 to its National Development and Social Fund, investments of EUR 150,000 in government bonds, and investments in real estate for at least five years. A less costly option in Europe is Cyprus, which requires a recoverable real estate investment of two million euros.
Further away from Europe, a Caribbean passport can be obtained if one contributes to national development funds or national treasuries worth between USD 100,000 and USD 250,000 or through the acquisition of property of no less than USD 200,000.
