Key Highlights
- Which are the 10 Hardest Countries to Get Citizenship in the World?
- List of the 10 Hardest Countries to Get Citizenship in the World
- What Makes Citizenship Hard to Get?
- Which Is the Hardest Country to Get Citizenship in Asia?
- Which Is the Hardest Country to Get Citizenship in Europe?
- What Is the World's Hardest Passport to Get?
- Conclusion
If you've ever wondered about which country is the hardest country to get citizenship in, the answer is: it varies based on what you prioritise, such as
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years of waiting,
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a substantial investment,
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proficiency in a difficult language, or
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just being born to the right family.
In some countries, you need to wait for almost 25 - 30 years. Unless you are marrying in, investing millions or you are of a citizen's descent, and others will not naturalise you.
Here’s a guide, which has a compiled list of 10 hardest countries to get citizenship in, along with the world’s hardest passport to get.
Which are the 10 Hardest Countries to Get Citizenship in the World?
This is a list of countries where it is extremely hard to get citizenship due to strict eligibility rules and longer residency periods.
- Kuwait
- Vatican City
- Liechtenstein
- Qatar
- United Arab Emirates
- Saudi Arabia
- Switzerland
- Austria
- Bhutan
- Japan
List of the 10 Hardest Countries to Get Citizenship in the World
Here’s an overview on the top 10 hardest countries to get citizenship due to strict eligibility and residency rules.
1. Kuwait
Kuwait is a small Middle Eastern country with rich oil resources and a robust economy.
Why is it Hard to Get Citizenship in Kuwait?
The requirements to get citizenship in Kuwait are usually strict, such as long residency requirement, proficiency in the Arabic language, financial stability, and good character.
As the state considers nationality a sovereign issue, and it has been extremely selective in granting general naturalization, acquiring Kuwaiti citizenship is an extremely difficult process.
Quick Facts:
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Residency: Usually 20 years of continuous residency
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Religion: If there are specific religious requirements, these may be considered under citizenship rules.
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Language: Arabic is required as a language.
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Other Requirements: Financial stability, good character
Read More: Kuwait Visit Visa for Indian 2026: Complete Guide
2. Vatican City
Being the smallest independent country in the world, Vatican City has a population of less than 1000 people, which is why citizenship is difficult.
Why is it Hard to Get Citizenship in Vatican City?
Vatican City has established a strict procedure and is one of the hardest countries to get citizenship in since it does not allow citizenship by regular residency or a normal naturalisation procedure.
Quick Facts:
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Population: Fewer than 1,000 people
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Special Naturalisation: Not available
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Dual Citizenship: Generally possible
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Citizenship Duration: Typically tied to an official role or position
3. Liechtenstein
Located between Switzerland and Austria with an estimated population of approximately 40,000, Liechtenstein is a very small country.
Why is it Hard to Get Citizenship in Liechtenstein?
Getting citizenship in Liechtenstein is very strict and the assessment of long-term residence, requiring the German language and integration into society are very prominent. The process can also be influenced by local community involvement.
Quick Facts:
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Population: Around 40,000
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Residency: Generally 10 years for standard naturalisation
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Language: German
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Integration: Strong local ties are important
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Investment Route: No citizenship by investment is available.
4. Qatar
Qatar is a rich Gulf state with a modern infrastructure, large expatriate community and solid economy.
Why is it Hard to Get Citizenship in Qatar?
Qatar is one of the hardest countries to get citizenship in because of its long residency requirements and strict naturalisation rules. Even after meeting the basic requirements, citizenship is not guaranteed.
Quick Facts:
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Residency: Generally 25 years of continuous residence
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Language: Arabic is required
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Income: Applicants must show a stable source of income
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Dual Citizenship: Generally not allowed
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Approval: Citizenship is granted selectively and is not automatic
Read More: Qatar Visa Check Online by Passport Number: Expert Guide 2026
5. United Arab Emirates
Having UAE immigration and visas for work, business or investment is simple in the UAE due to various types of visa and immigration options. It's much more difficult, however, to secure UAE citizenship.
Why is it Hard to Get Citizenship in United Arab Emirates?
Most foreigners do not have an easy pathway towards UAE citizenship. Certain rules of the naturalisation process are traditionally based on the need for long-term residence, but citizenship is granted to certain investors, doctors, scientists, and inventors who make significant contributions to the country.
Quick Facts:
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Residency: As long as 30 years of residency.
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Special Category: Investors, professionals, scientists, inventors, etc., who have been selected for special citizenship.
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Dual Citizenship: Vary depending on the person and citizenship path
6. Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia has a significant foreign workforce, but not everyone who lives and works in the country is a citizen, as the Saudi citizenship and naturalisation process is selective.
Why is it Hard to Get Citizenship in Saudi Arabia?
Getting Saudi Arabian citizenship is very hard due to the lack of approvals, which are discretionary and managed by high-level government committees.
Quick Facts:
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Residency: At least 10 years of continuous residence
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Language: Must speak, read, and write in Arabic
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Requirements: Social integration, financial independence, and a clean criminal record
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Special Consideration: Investors, scientists, skilled professionals, and people with significant contributions may receive special consideration
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Dual Citizenship: Saudi Arabia generally does not allow dual nationality
7. Switzerland
The foreigners living and working in the country can have various immigration statuses, but to acquire Swiss citizenship, their staying in the country and their integration into Swiss society must be long-term.
Why is it Hard to Get Citizenship in Switzerland?
Getting Swiss citizenship is difficult, due to a multi-level approval process, very strict standards for integration into the country and ten years of residency required for naturalisation.
Applicants have to comply with the requirements of the federal laws and possibly also with the requirements of their canton and municipality.
Quick Facts:
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Educational Background: To complete secondary school and obtain an education certificate.
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Language: Good knowledge of Swiss national language (German, French, Italian)
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Integration: Applicants should demonstrate good integration into Swiss society.
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Knowledge: A basic level of knowledge about Swiss life, culture and society is required;
Read More: Highest Paying Jobs in Switzerland in 2026: Full Guide
8. Austria
Being a central European nation surrounded by mountains, with a rich cultural heritage and a high quality of life, Austria immigration offers opportunities for foreigners, students, and families to live and work, but becoming an Austrian citizen is not easy due to its strict citizenship rules.
Why is it Hard to Get Citizenship in Austria?
In general, applicants must have resided in Austria legally for a long time before they apply for citizenship, and they should also demonstrate their knowledge of German, pass an integration test and fulfill integration requirements.
Quick Facts:
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Residency: Usually 10 years of legal residence
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Language: Generally B2-level German
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Citizenship Test: May cover Austrian history, government, and civic life
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Dual Citizenship: Generally restricted, with some exceptions
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Special Citizenship: Possible in rare cases for people who make exceptional contributions to Austria
Read More: Austria Visa Tracking: Latest Steps, Benefits & Time 2026
9. Bhutan
Being a small himalayan nation, Bhutan is known for its distinct culture, stunning mountains and its efforts to maintain its traditions and national identity.
Foreigners have to follow the strict rules of the country by which it is hard to acquire Bhutanese citizenship.
Why is it Hard to Get Citizenship in Bhutan?
Bhutan has one of the strictest citizenship criteria in Asia. The applicants are expected to have stayed in the country for several years and demonstrated good knowledge of Bhutanese language, culture, and traditions.
Applicants are also usually expected to renounce their Bhutanese citizenship and the process may also involve obtaining references from Bhutanese citizens.
Quick Facts:
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Duration: 15-20 years usually
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Language: Dzongkha is a requirement
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Cultural Knowledge: Applicants are required to have knowledge about the history and culture of Bhutan.
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References: References from Bhutanese citizens may be required
10. Japan
Japan has a relatively shorter 5-year residency requirement, but meeting the basic requirement does not make citizenship easy.
While Japan immigration offers different visa and residence options for foreigners, applicants for citizenship must still meet strict legal and financial conditions.
Why is it Hard to Get Citizenship in Japan?
The applicant should have lived in Japan for a couple of years, be stable with a decent income, respect the Japanese laws, and demonstrate basic Japanese language skills.
Quick Facts:
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Eligibility: 5 Years Continuous Residence
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Language: Basic Japanese is expected
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Income: Stable financial situation needed
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Conduct: Good legal and tax record
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Dual Citizenship: Generally not allowed
Read More: Jobs in Japan for Indians: Latest Experts Job Guide
What Makes Citizenship Hard to Get?
There are some similarities in the countries listed, but each has different rules. The following are some of the primary reasons for citizenship difficulties:
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Long Residency Requirements: In some countries you will need to reside in that country for 10, 20 or even 30 years before you can apply.
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No Dual Citizenship: You may have to give up your current citizenship before becoming a citizen.
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Language and Culture Tests: Knowledge of the local language and tests related to the country's history, culture, or laws may be required.
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Strict Approval Process: The final decision may be dependent on the government authorities or other officials.
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Limited Citizenship Routes: Some countries offer citizenship for those with family connections, marriage or special contributions instead of ordinary long-term residents.
Overall, the path to citizenship is complex due to a number of strict requirements.
Which Is the Hardest Country to Get Citizenship in Asia?
The hardest country to get citizenship in Asia is Kuwait, according to the citizenship regulations in 2026, the possibilities of naturalisation for foreign nationals residing in the country is limited.
Similarly, it is difficult in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Bhutan, as they have high requirements of residency, language, and eligibility. There are also very few routes to these countries, and strong restrictions on naturalisation and dual citizenship.
Which Is the Hardest Country to Get Citizenship in Europe?
The hardest countries to get citizenship in Europe are Liechtenstein, Switzerland and Austria as they have some of the most strict requirements such as the applicants are usually required to have lived in the country for about 10 years, and possess proficiency in the language, integration, and other requirements.
Local community involvement is also very important, as is the case in Liechtenstein and Switzerland, which makes it more challenging than in other parts of Europe.
Read More: How to Migrate to Switzerland from India in 2026? New Guide
What Is the World's Hardest Passport to Get?
Coming back to the term“hardest passport to get” can mean two different things. It may be about the difficulties of obtaining a citizenship or the travel freedom it offers.
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Passports to Acquire from Hardest Countries: Kuwait, Qatar and the UAE are very restrictive regarding citizenship. Their passports are hard for foreigners to obtain due to lengthy residency periods, few pathways to naturalisation and tough eligibility criteria.
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Weakest Passport for Travel: Passport ranking is based on how many countries a passport holder can enter without needing a visa. In this criterion, Afghanistan is one of the weakest passports available.
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Most Powerful Passport: Singapore is among the world's strongest passports, offering visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to a large number of destinations.
In simple terms, a passport can be quite hard to get and extremely potent when you do. Therefore, "hardest passport to get” and “weakest passport for travel” are two very different concepts.
Conclusion
The hardest country to get citizenship is not always the one you might expect. Kuwait’s 2026 changes have made its citizenship rules even stricter, while Qatar, the UAE, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein also have demanding requirements.
The bottom line is that it can take years to acquire citizenship, with some certain eligibility requirements, language proficiency, and commitment to the local community. If you are interested in living and working overseas, there may be even more practical choices available in the form of a work visa, study visa or residence visa.
If you’re planning to move abroad, TerraTern can help you explore suitable immigration pathways and understand the requirements before you apply.
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