A real backup should already work before it becomes urgent.
Know what you are protecting against
A family looking for a safe place to relocate needs something different from a business owner worried about banking access or political risk.
Keep the status alive
Renewals, minimum stays, insurance, address rules and other conditions matter. A permit that lapses when you are not paying attention is not much of a Plan B.
Build access in advance
Where useful, establish banking, local contacts and practical arrangements before you need them. The goal is to avoid starting from zero under pressure.
Know what happens if you use it
Spending more time in the backup country can change your tax residence and reporting obligations. That should be understood before the move becomes real.
Takeaway
A backup jurisdiction should work in practice, not just exist on paper.