Countries Offering Citizenship By Merit, Exception, And National Interest (2026)

Citizenship by exception refers to discretionary naturalisation mechanisms operating outside ordinary residence-based citizenship pathways.

Unlike conventional naturalisation systems — which typically rely on long-term residence, language examinations and fixed procedural qualification criteria — exceptional naturalisation frameworks operate through sovereign discretion, executive authority and national-interest evaluation.

These mechanisms exist in multiple forms across different jurisdictions.

Depending on the country, they may appear as:

  • Citizenship By Merit
  • Citizenship By Exception
  • Citizenship In The National Interest
  • Extraordinary Naturalisation
  • Exceptional Services Naturalisation
  • Presidential Citizenship Grants
  • Citizenship By Executive Decree
  • Sovereign Exceptional Naturalisation
  • Honorary Citizenship Grants
  • Discretionary Naturalisation

While terminology differs, these frameworks generally operate through sovereign state authority rather than through ordinary administrative naturalisation systems.

In some jurisdictions, exceptional contribution in science, culture, diplomacy, sport, technology or national development may form the basis for discretionary citizenship grants.

In others, strategic economic contribution, sovereign alignment or broader state-interest considerations may play a role in the evaluation process.

Citizenship By Merit vs Citizenship By Investment

Citizenship by exception and discretionary national-interest naturalisation should not automatically be treated as equivalent to conventional Citizenship By Investment (CBI) programs.

Traditional CBI programs generally operate through codified investment structures, published contribution thresholds and formalised processing frameworks.

Exceptional naturalisation systems function differently.

They typically operate through:

  • Executive discretion
  • Presidential or ministerial authority
  • Sovereign decree powers
  • National-interest evaluation
  • Exceptional merit assessment
  • Strategic contribution review
  • Case-by-case state approval

In some jurisdictions, economic contribution may form part of the evaluation process without the framework functioning as a standardised retail citizenship-by-investment program.

This distinction is increasingly important as multiple countries move away from publicly industrialised citizenship models toward narrower sovereign discretionary naturalisation structures.

New To This Category? Read: Citizenship By Merit vs Citizenship By Investment

Sovereign Discretion And Operational Reality

The existence of discretionary citizenship authority does not imply guaranteed approval, public operational frameworks or repeatable outcomes.

Many of the jurisdictions referenced below operate through highly selective sovereign review processes with limited transparency and substantial executive discretion.

Some frameworks remain largely theoretical in practice.

Others may be operational only in limited or highly selective circumstances.

Several jurisdictions historically associated with Citizenship By Investment programs also continue to maintain broader sovereign naturalisation powers outside conventional retail investment migration structures.

The purpose of this page is not to market guaranteed citizenship outcomes.

It is to document and analyse the growing category of sovereign discretionary naturalisation mechanisms operating globally under exceptional merit, national-interest and executive-authority frameworks.

Countries Offering Citizenship By Exception, Merit & National Interest

The jurisdictions below maintain discretionary naturalisation mechanisms connected to sovereign authority, exceptional merit, national interest or executive state discretion:

EUROPE

  1. Albania: Under the Law on Albanian Citizenship, Article 9 allows for the acquisition of citizenship by persons who have special scientific, economic, cultural, and national interest for the Republic of Albania.
  2. Austria: The Austrian Citizenship Act (Staatsbürgerschaftsgesetz), Section 10(6), permits the granting of citizenship without the usual requirements if the federal government certifies that the applicant has provided or is expected to provide exceptional services to the Republic.
  3. Belarus: Accor tding to the Law on Citizenship of the Republic of Belarus, Article 14 allows for citizenship to be granted by exception to individuals who have rendered significant services to the state or possess professions or qualifications of state interest.
  4. Belgium: The Belgian Nationality Code, Article 19, provides for naturalization by the federal parliament for individuals who have demonstrated exceptional merits in fields like science, sports, or culture, contributing to Belgium’s international standing.
  5. Bosnia and Herzegovina: The Law on Citizenship of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Article 11, permits naturalization by exception for individuals whose acquisition of citizenship is of particular benefit to the country, such as economic investment or cultural contributions.
  6. Bulgaria: The Bulgarian Citizenship Act, Article 16, states that citizenship may be granted to individuals of special merit to the state in economic, cultural, or other public spheres, following a proposal by the Minister of Justice and approval by the President.
  7. Croatia: The Croatian Citizenship Act, Article 12, allows the government to grant citizenship to individuals whose naturalization is of interest to the Republic of Croatia, often due to significant contributions in various fields.
  8. Czech Republic (Czechia): The Czech Citizenship Act, Section 16, allows for granting citizenship without standard requirements if it is in the state’s interest, such as contributions to science, education, culture, or society.
  9. Estonia: The Estonian Citizenship Act, Section 10(6), permits naturalization by exception for individuals who have provided notable services to the state, with decisions made by the government on a case-by-case basis.
  10. Finland: The Finnish Nationality Act, Section 18, allows for discretionary citizenship to individuals with special merits or whose naturalization is considered to benefit the country, such as significant cultural or economic contributions.
  11. France: The French Civil Code, Article 21-19, allows for naturalization by decree for individuals who have rendered exceptional services to France or whose talents are deemed beneficial to the nation
  12. Georgia: Article 17(2) of the Georgian Law on Citizenship permits citizenship to be granted by exception where an individual has rendered outstanding services to Georgia or where the granting of citizenship is deemed to be in the state’s interests.
  13. Germany: The German Nationality Act (Staatsangehörigkeitsgesetz), Section 8, allows for discretionary naturalization if there is a public interest in the naturalization, even if some requirements are not met.
  14. Hungary: The Hungarian Citizenship Act, Section 4(7), allows for preferential naturalization for individuals of Hungarian descent or those who have rendered outstanding services to Hungary, with expedited procedures in such cases.
  15. Ireland: The Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act, 1956, Section 12, allows the Minister for Justice to grant a certificate of naturalization to an applicant in cases of Irish associations or if deemed in the public interest.
  16. Italy: The Italian Citizenship Act, Article 9(2), allows for naturalization by decree for individuals who have rendered exceptional services to Italy or if there is an exceptional interest of the State, with decisions made by the President of the Republic.
  17. Latvia: The Latvian Citizenship Law, Section 13, allows for citizenship to be granted by exception to individuals who have provided significant contributions to Latvia, such as in culture, science, or sports, upon approval by the Cabinet of Ministers.
  18. Liechtenstein: Liechtenstein may grant citizenship by exception in rare cases, typically involving individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to the country or when significant national interests are at stake. Specific legislative provisions are not publicly detailed.
  19. Lithuania: The Lithuanian Citizenship Law, Article 20, permits naturalization by exception for individuals who have integrated into society and whose naturalization is in the state’s interest, with decisions made by the President.
  20. Malta: Maltese nationality law continues to permit exceptional naturalisation through sovereign discretion and national-interest evaluation following the closure of the former direct-investment citizenship framework.
  21. Moldova: Moldovan Citizenship Law, Article 24: This clause allows for citizenship to be granted by exception to individuals who have provided distinguished services to the state or whose naturalization is considered in the national interest. The decision is typically made based on the President’s discretion, often after reviewing recommendations from the government.
  22. Monaco: Monegasque Nationality Law, Article 7: This clause allows for citizenship to be granted by Sovereign Ordinance in exceptional cases, typically for individuals who have made significant contributions to Monaco, such as economic, cultural, or scientific achievements. The Sovereign Prince may approve naturalization after considering the individual’s ties to Monaco.
  23. Montenegro: Montenegrin Citizenship Law, Article 10: This clause allows for naturalization by exception for individuals whose admission to Montenegrin citizenship is of special interest to the state, especially those contributing to the country’s economic, social, or cultural spheres. The decision is made by the Montenegrin government after evaluating the applicant’s merits and state interest.
  24. North Macedonia: North Macedonian Law on Citizenship, Article 9: The government may grant citizenship by exception to individuals who have provided exceptional services to the country or whose naturalization is in the national interest, such as for investments, expertise, or other contributions beneficial to the country.
  25. Poland: Polish Citizenship Act, Article 18: Citizenship may be granted by the President of Poland to individuals who have rendered special services to Poland or whose naturalization is in the national interest, including individuals who contribute to the country’s development or international standing.
  26. Portugal: Portuguese Nationality Law, Article 6(7): Naturalization by exception is possible if the individual has made relevant contributions to the cultural, economic, or social development of Portugal. This is typically done by a decree from the President, based on the government’s proposal.
  27. Romania: Romanian Citizenship Law, Article 8: Citizenship may be granted by exception to individuals who have made exceptional contributions to the Romanian state or whose naturalization is considered to be in the national interest, such as economic, scientific, or cultural contributions.
  28. Slovakia: Slovak Citizenship Act, Section 12(4): Citizenship may be granted by exception to individuals who have rendered outstanding services to the Slovak Republic or whose naturalization is deemed to be in the national interest, based on a proposal from the government.
  29. Slovenia: Slovenian Citizenship Act, Article 11: Slovenia allows for the granting of citizenship by exception to individuals who have provided significant contributions to the state or whose naturalization is considered to be in the public or national interest.

Spain: Spanish Civil Code, Article 21-19: Spanish citizenship can be granted by naturalization decree to individuals who have provided exceptional services to Spain or whose contributions in areas like science, culture, or economic development are deemed beneficial to the country.

LATIN AMERICA

  1. Argentina: Constitution Of The Argentine Nation, Article 20: Discretionary presidential citizenship powers under Argentine nationality law. Exceptional naturalisation may be granted where the executive determines that the public interest justifies citizenship.
  2. Chile: Constitution Of The Republic Of Chile, Article 10(4): Exceptional grants of Chilean nationality may be conferred by special act or constitutional mechanism in cases considered to serve the national interest. These powers exist outside ordinary residence-based naturalisation.
  3. Peru: Ley De Nacionalidad No. 26574, Article 3: Peruvian nationality legislation permits exceptional naturalisation in circumstances determined by the state to justify special treatment. The framework operates separately from Peru’s standard residence-based citizenship process.
  4. Uruguay: Constitution Of The Oriental Republic Of Uruguay, Article 75(C): Uruguay maintains discretionary nationality powers that may be exercised in exceptional circumstances recognised by the state. These mechanisms operate independently of ordinary residence-based naturalisation.

Visibility Often Destroys Pathway Executability

One of the structural realities of discretionary European citizenship frameworks is that large-scale visibility often undermines long-term deliverability.

As politically sensitive citizenship structures become:

  • publicly marketed,
  • mass-positioned,
  • or aggressively distributed internationally,

administrative continuity and sovereign appetite frequently begin to deteriorate.

This is one reason many theoretically available pathways never evolve into consistently executable long-term structures.

The legal mechanism may exist.

But practical sovereign willingness, political tolerance, administrative continuity, and realistic delivery capacity often remain highly constrained.

In practice, many governments retain discretionary naturalisation powers in law while simultaneously maintaining little or no appetite for large-scale utilisation.

That distinction matters.

Particularly in Europe, where political tolerance for overt citizenship commercialisation has narrowed materially over the past decade.

As a result, many publicly discussed “citizenship by merit” or “national interest” frameworks ultimately function more as theoretical legal possibilities than as realistic long-term sovereign positioning structures.

DirectCitizenship.com Focuses On Executable Sovereign Discretion Structures

DirectCitizenship.com does not operate as a public directory of discretionary citizenship programs.

Instead, the platform focuses on a limited number of lower-visibility sovereign discretion environments where:

  • political tolerance,
  • administrative continuity,
  • economic contribution alignment,
  • and practical execution viability

remain materially intact.

These structures are typically:

  • Highly selective,
  • Relationship-driven,
  • Politically sensitive,
  • And intentionally capacity-constrained.

As a result, most are neither publicly marketed at scale nor discussed openly in detail.

The platform therefore focuses less on theoretical legal eligibility and more on a narrower question:

Whether a discretionary sovereign structure remains realistically executable over time without destabilising the political or administrative conditions that make it viable in the first place.

That distinction increasingly separates durable sovereign discretion environments from the broader investment migration industry.

DirectCitizenship.com focuses specifically on strategic citizenship positioning structures operating beyond conventional mass-market citizenship-by-investment frameworks.

Some Sovereign Discretion Citizenship Structures Remain Operational Under Highly Specific Conditions In 2026

We currently have access to at least four discrete, Citizenship By Exception pathways leveraging national interest legislation (coupled with economic contributions). Please note that availability is limited, and program changes may occur at any time without prior notice. Also note that these pathways are generally only relevant to UHNWIs.

 

Structured Enquiry

DirectCitizenship.com monitors a limited number of lower-visibility discretionary citizenship structures operating through:

  • National interest
  • Executive authority
  • Exceptional contribution
  • Merit-based naturalization
  • Honorary citizenship frameworks
  • Presidential decree
  • And other legally enshrined sovereign discretion mechanisms.

Some environments may support practical implementation under highly specific conditions.

Structured enquiries may be submitted for further discussion.

Submit a structured enquiry for further discussion regarding discretionary citizenship structures and sovereign naturalisation mechanisms.