15 Hardest Countries to Get Citizenship in 2026

Getting citizenship isn’t as straightforward as it used to be, especially in 2026. Many countries have tightened their rules, raised residency requirements, and added tougher language or integration checks. The hardest countries to get citizenship in 2026 including Qatar, Japan, Monaco, Finland, Bhutan, etc., expect you to live there for years without breaks, make citizenship dependent on taxes, culture tests, or government approval.

According to the OECD, some nations take over 10 years of continuous residency before one can even apply for citizenship. These countries are often popular destinations, which is exactly why their processes are slow and strict. In this blog, we break down which countries have the hardest visa to get, what makes their citizenship rules challenging, and the requirements to qualify for citizenship.

1. Qatar

Qatar is one of the most difficult countries to obtain citizenship in. The process is long and complicated, and there are very few avenues through which one can become a citizen. The vast majority of citizens are either born into Qatari families or granted citizenship through marriages to Qataris.

Explore: Top 10 Countries that Allow Dual Citizenship with India

2. Vatican City

Vatican City is one of the hardest countries to get citizenship. There are only two ways to become a citizen of Vatican City - that is to be born there or be appointed by the Pope. If you're not born in Vatican City, your only hope of becoming a citizen is to be appointed by the Pope. The Pope appoints citizens for specific roles within the Vatican, such as diplomats or members of the Swiss Guard.

3. Liechtenstein

Liechtenstein is one of the smallest and wealthiest countries in Europe. The country's citizenship requirements are some of the most stringent in the world. Applicants must have lived in Liechtenstein for at least 30 years and must be able to prove that they are financially stable and have integrated into the community. They must also pass a language test.

4. Bhutan

Next up, Bhutan is also one of the toughest countries to get citizenship. The small landlocked country in the Himalayas has a population of just over 700,000 and a very low rate of naturalization. The process of becoming a Bhutanese citizen is long and complicated. As per the Bhutanese Citizenship Act 1985, applicants must have lived in the country for at least 15 years, be proficient in the Dzongkha language, and have a clean criminal record. They must also pass a rigorous exam that tests their knowledge of Bhutanese history, culture, and religion.

Also Read: All About Canadian Citizenship for Indians

5. Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia is considered to be one of the toughest countries to get citizenship in the world. There are several reasons for this, including the fact that Saudi Arabia does not allow dual citizenship and requires all citizens to be Muslim. In addition, Saudi Arabia has strict requirements for foreigners who wish to become citizens, including a minimum age of 21 and a residency requirement of five years.

6. Kuwait

Kuwait is a country where thegovernment is very selective about who they allow into the country, and they have a strict set of requirements that must be met to be granted citizenship. This is why it is also known to have one of the toughest visas to get. 

7. Switzerland

Switzerland is known for its mountainous landscapes and picturesque villages, as well as its stringent immigration policies. Citizenship in Switzerland is difficult to obtain, and the process can be lengthy and expensive.

Explore: Cost of Studying in Switzerland

8. China

If you are thinking about which country is the hardest to get citizenship in, then the answer is China. In order to become a Chinese citizen, you must be of Chinese descent. This means that you must have at least one parent who is of Chinese nationality. If you are not of Chinese descent, then you are not eligible for citizenship. Chinese citizenship can also be acquired through marriage to a Chinese citizen. However, the marriage must be registered with the Chinese government in order for it to be recognized.

9. North Korea

North Korea is one of the hardest citizenship to get. This country is one of the most secretive countries worldwide and it is believed that it is close to impossible to get citizenship here. Only the presidium of the supreme people’s assembly can grant citizenship to a foreigner.

10. Japan

The island nation of Japan is one of the most difficult countries in which to obtain citizenship. The process is long and arduous and requires a significant investment of both time and money. To begin with, as per the Nationality law, 1950, prospective citizens must have lived in Japan for at least 5 years. During that time, they must have held a valid work visa and maintained a clean criminal record. They must also pass a rigorous Japanese language test. Once those requirements are met, applicants must submit a detailed application to the Ministry of Justice.

11. San Marino

San Marino is one of the toughest countries to get citizenship. The requirements are very strict and the process is long and complicated. The first step in the process is to submit an application to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Once your application has been approved, you will need to take a citizenship test. If you pass the citizenship test, you will then need to go through a personal interview with a panel of judges. After that, you will take an oath of allegiance to San Marino and finally be granted citizenship.

12. Austria

Austria is located in the heart of Europe and is bordered by eight other countries, making it one of the most difficult places to become a naturalized citizen. The process requires 12 years of continuous residency, including three years of marriage to an Austrian citizen, and passing a language test. Even then, citizenship is not guaranteed and can be denied at the discretion of the Austrian government. However, it is easy to get an Austria Red-white-Red-Card.

13. Monaco

Monaco is one of the smallest and most densely populated countries in the world. The Principality of Monaco is a sovereign city-state, located on the French Riviera in Western Europe.

Monaco is bordered by France to the north, east, and west, and by the Mediterranean Sea to the south. The official language of Monaco is French, although Monégasque, Italian, and English are also spoken.

14. Finland

Finland is considered to be one of the hardest countries to get citizenship, due in large part to their stringent requirements and lack of flexibility. To be eligible for Finnish citizenship, an applicant must have a continuous residence in the country for at least eight years, as well as be proficient in the Finnish language.

Also Read: Cost of Studying in Finland for International Students

15. United Arab Emirates (UAE)

The United Arab Emirates is another country where gaining citizenship is extremely difficult, despite having over 9 million residents. The vast majority of the population comprises experts who live and work there under long term visas, without the path to automatic citizenship

Citizenship in the UAE is rarely granted and is typically reserved for individuals who can provide exceptional value to the nation, such as investors, scientists, doctors or other highly skilled professionals. The UAE only recently introduced a system in 2021 to allow for limited citizenship grants to select foreigners but this remains highly exclusive.

Check Out: How to Settle in Dubai?

Reasons for the Hardest Countries to Get Citizenship

Getting citizenship in some countries is difficult by design. These nations limit naturalisation to protect culture, control population, or prioritise native citizens. Below is a breakdown of why these countries are considered the hardest.

Qatar Citizenship Difficulty

Qatar is often seen as having the most difficult visa to get leading to citizenship, mainly because long-term residents still have almost no pathway to naturalisation.

Vatican City Citizenship Difficulty

Vatican City is not just the toughest visa to get, but also one of the rarest citizenships in the world.

Liechtenstein Citizenship Difficulty

Liechtenstein is one of the hardest countries to get citizenship, even after long-term residence.

Bhutan Citizenship Difficulty

Bhutan keeps its citizenship rules strict to protect culture, making it one of the most difficult visas to get leading to citizenship.

Saudi Arabia Citizenship Difficulty

Saudi Arabia is known for having one of the toughest visas to get permanently, even for skilled professionals.

Kuwait Citizenship Difficulty

Kuwait is widely considered one of the hardest countries to get citizenship in 2026, especially for long-term residents.

Switzerland Citizenship Difficulty

Switzerland may look welcoming, but it has one of the most difficult visas to get converted into citizenship.

China Citizenship Difficulty

China remains one of the hardest countries for citizenship, even for investors or professionals.

North Korea Citizenship Difficulty

North Korea is arguably the most difficult country to get citizenship in the world.

Japan Citizenship Difficulty

Japan is known for being one of the toughest countries to get citizenship due to its strict requirements.

United Arab Emirates Citizenship Difficulty

Despite long-term residency options, the UAE remains one of the hardest countries to get citizenship.

San Marino Citizenship Difficulty

San Marino has one of the most difficult visas to get leading to citizenship due to slow and strict processes.

Austria Citizenship Difficulty

Austria is known for having one of the toughest citizenship pathways in Europe.

Monaco Citizenship Difficulty

Monaco offers residency easily, but citizenship is one of the hardest to obtain.

Finland Citizenship Difficulty

Finland is strict in practice, making it one of the most difficult visas to get converted into citizenship for some applicants.

Quick Read: What is the Difference Between Permanent Residency and Citizenship

Navigate the Immigration Challenges with GetGIS

It is no secret that some countries are harder to get citizenship than others. This article has provided a list of the most difficult countries to get citizenship. The stringent requirements, prolonged timelines, and complex regulations can make the journey seem daunting.

For those considering this challenging yet rewarding path, seeking professional guidance is invaluable. GetGIS offers expert immigration services to help you navigate the complexities of acquiring citizenship. Our experienced consultants provide personalized support, ensuring you are well informed and equipped to meet the necessary requirements.

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Also Read:

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• How to Move Abroad from India
• Top 10 Money-Saving Tips While living Abroad
• Key Differences Between Migration and Immigration