Value of residency and citizenship programs
This ranking answers one question: which residency or citizenship program gives you the most for what it asks of you. Each program gets a value score out of 100, built from six parts that you can check one by one on its program page.
Value scores are on hold while we check comparable passport data and program rules. Compare programs by country.
How this ranking is calculated
Passport reach counts 25 points: the number of destinations the country's own passport reaches without a visa in advance, discounted for residence programs by how many years you would wait to hold that passport. The path to citizenship counts 25: a program that grants citizenship scores 100, and each year of waiting costs 8 points. Rights count 20: whether you can work for a local employer, bring your spouse and children, and join the public health system. The stay rule counts 15: the fewer days you must spend in the country each year, the higher the score, reaching zero at 183 days. Tax on foreign income counts 10, and stability counts 5, lowered when the rules changed or were suspended in the last 24 months.
A program is ranked only when checked facts cover at least 70% of the weight; the others wait until the missing facts are found. The best residency and citizenship program for you still depends on your own passport, family and budget, so use the filters and open the program pages before you decide.
Full formulas and sources are on the methodology page. Figures last reviewed 2026-11-15.
Value ranking: FAQ
Why does a citizenship program usually score higher than a residence visa?
Because the path part gives full points to a program that grants citizenship now, and passport reach is not discounted. A residence permit only leads to a passport after years of residence, and each year costs 8 points.
Does a higher value score mean a program is better for me?
Not always. The score treats every applicant the same. If you already hold a strong passport, passport reach matters less to you; if you cannot move, the stay rule matters more. Open the program page to see each part separately.