This article was written by Emma Marshall — Community Manager
We believe this article is accurate at the time of writing, but regulations evolve. We'd welcome you to contact us for a quick, up-to-date confirmation—we're always glad to help.
For families considering citizenship by investment or residency by investment, the most valuable window for planning often opens long before a child reaches adulthood. Acting early expands the range of options available, reduces cost, and allows qualifying residence years to accumulate naturally.
What this article covers:
- Why the under-18 window matters for CBI and RBI family planning
- How residence accumulation works for children on family applications
- The cost advantages of acting before a child turns 18
- How Marlow Bray approaches multi-generational citizenship strategy
The Case for Planning Before 18
Most CBI and RBI programmes allow minor children to be included in a family application at significantly lower cost than separate adult applications. Once a child turns 18, this advantage typically disappears, and some programmes require a standalone application altogether. Portugal's recent extension of its naturalisation residence requirement from five to ten years illustrates the point clearly: a child who begins accumulating qualifying years early will reach the threshold well ahead of an adult applicant starting later. Ancestral eligibility, language proficiency developed through schooling, and naturalistic residence accumulation all compound in favour of acting early.
What This Means for HNW Family Planning
For high-net-worth families, citizenship and residency planning sits naturally alongside estate structuring, international education choices, and long-term wealth strategy. Framing these decisions as part of one coherent plan, rather than treating a second passport as a standalone product, is where real advisory value is created. Families who integrate global mobility into a broader legacy plan tend to retain more optionality for the next generation at lower overall cost. The right questions are not simply which programme to choose, but when to act, how children fit into the structure, and how investment migration aligns with education and inheritance planning.
If you are considering a family citizenship or residency strategy, Marlow Bray can help you assess the options and identify the right timing. Speak with our advisory team to explore what is possible for your family.
