There’s a common myth that working on your family’s Plan B requires extended travel, slow travel to multiple countries per year, or the ability to relocate temporarily.

The reality? Some of the most important work you can do to secure what you’ve built for generations happens right at home.

This isn’t just about Plan B. It’s about future-proofing your family’s legacy — building structures that give your children and grandchildren options you never had. Creating flexibility in a world where the rules change faster than most people can adapt.

The families who succeed at this aren’t the ones waiting for the perfect time to travel. They’re the ones doing the strategic work now — research, documentation, planning — so that when opportunities arise or travel becomes possible, they’re ready to act immediately.

Think of it this way: a general doesn’t create battle plans on the battlefield. The plans are made in advance. When the moment comes, execution is swift because preparation was thorough.

This guide shows at least five (5) things you can do right now to work on your family’s freedom and global mobility — when you can’t yet leave for extended periods, or slow travel like us.

1. Citizenship by Descent: Start Before the Laws Change

This is the most accessible and affordable way to secure a second passport — and it’s the one to investigate first. Citizenship by descent lets you claim citizenship in a country where your parents, grandparents, or great-grandparents were born. In many cases, you can complete the process without ever setting foot there.

Why This Matters Now

Here’s what most families miss: these processes can take years. If you start today and it takes three years to complete, and most of the time, you get to grandfather in the conditions even if laws change — because your application is already filed.

I say most, because there are cases when the laws change and every mid-process loses out. It’s critical you file as early as possible.

Real Example: Italy

Italy’s “once Italian, always Italian” rule allowed citizenship claims through multiple generations. But that changed in 2025. Now, only grandparents or closer count. Families who started before the cutoff are still in. Those who hesitated? Out overnight.

Countries with Accessible Citizenship by Descent Programs

• Ireland – Available to grandchildren of Irish citizens.
• Poland – Clear process with no generational limit if citizenship was continuous.
• Hungary – Available even for descendants of former territories.
• etc…

Full list of countries are located in the appendix below. 

All you need are documents showing lineage: birth certificates, marriage records, and naturalization documents (or proof that naturalization didn’t occur). Some records are digital; others require local researchers or legal assistance.

Start now. The families who began early already hold second passports. The ones who waited? Many are no longer eligible.

2. Second Residencies: Minimal Travel Required

Many countries offer remote-friendly residency options that require little or no in-country presence. You can complete most steps from home — gathering documents, coordinating with attorneys, and submitting applications.

• Mexico – Temporary residency possible with minimal presence.
• Panama – Friendly Nations Visa allows remote processing.
• Paraguay – One of South America’s simplest residency programs.

Here’s the key: don’t secure residency somewhere you’d never want to live. A residency that doesn’t align with your vision becomes a maintenance burden — renewals, fees, compliance — without value.

I made a video specifically talking about what NOT to do when going about second residencies.

3. Offshore Bank and Brokerage Accounts — From Home

Opening offshore bank or brokerage accounts can often be done remotely with electronic Power of Attorney (PoA). But structure matters far more than access. The question isn’t “can I open this account?” — it’s “should I, and where?”

Choosing the right jurisdiction requires careful planning, especially for families subject to global income reporting. Done right, offshore banking supports diversification and compliance simultaneously. Done wrong, it creates avoidable complexity.

This is one of the items I focus on when I help families one on one. The design has got to be compliant AND lightweight for the family day to day. Yes, I build a team for them but the point is that they interact with said team maybe 1 – 2 times a year per team member.

4. Research and Build Knowledge from Home

If you can’t travel now, invest in research. Read, watch, and listen. Explore different Plan B strategies and international family planning frameworks. The more you learn, the better you’ll recognize opportunity when it appears — AND the faster you’ll filter out noise.

This isn’t passive reading. It’s active preparation. When the right opportunity arrives, you’ll already know what aligns with your family’s structure and what doesn’t.

5. Create a Vision and Strategy for Your Family

Before chasing passports or residencies, define your vision. What does freedom mean to you? What kind of life do you want your children and grandchildren to live?

We help families answer those questions first — because every decision afterward flows from clarity. Without it, you risk collecting obligations instead of options.

Your goal isn’t more jurisdictions. It’s strategic alignment. A few well-chosen assets that truly serve your legacy beat a scattered collection you’ll never use.

• Understand your goals — risks, opportunities, priorities.
• Select only what serves those goals.
• Build minimal-maintenance, high-value structures.
• Execute in logical stages — urgent first, strategic second.
• Maintain full compliance across borders.

The Path Forward

You don’t need to travel to future-proof your family’s legacy. In fact, the most meaningful work — research, planning, documentation — happens best at home, where you can think clearly and act deliberately.

Families who wait until they can travel often discover that programs have closed or laws have shifted. They scramble under pressure. The ones who prepare early simply execute when opportunity knocks.

Start now. Build your plan. Secure your legacy from home.

If you want to fast-track your family’s strategy, email Mike@TotalFreedom.io. Once we understand your goals, we’ll show you how to structure your Plan B — without leaving home.

Appendix: European Countries with Citizenship by Descent Programs

The following European countries offer pathways to citizenship through ancestry. Requirements, generational limits, and specific criteria vary by country:

Countries with Active Citizenship by Descent Programs:

1. Ireland
2. Italy
3. Poland
4. Hungary
5. Portugal
6. Spain
7. Germany
8. Romania
9. Slovakia
10. Bulgaria
11. France
12. Greece
13. Cyprus
14. Finland
15. Latvia
16. Lithuania
17. Czech Republic
18. Austria
19. Malta
20. Sweden
21. Netherlands
22. Belgium
23. Luxembourg
24. Denmark
25. Croatia
26. Slovenia
27. Estonia

Each country has specific requirements regarding generational limits, documentation needed, language requirements (in some cases), and whether citizenship transmission was continuous through your family line.

We recommend researching your specific ancestry connections and consulting with legal professionals who specialize in citizenship law for the relevant countries before beginning the application process.