Ever since the rise of globalization and interconnectivity between nations, there has been a steady increase in the number of individuals with dual citizenship or the right to acquire citizenship in two countries. In the process of determining if obtaining dual citizenship is possible, it’s crucial to know the countries that allow dual citizenship, as an individual who may have a claim or the desire to obtain citizenship in two countries can only become a dual national if the two countries in question recognize dual citizenship.
The embrace of dual citizenship is a testament to the growing global mobility and the recognition that people may have connections and ties to multiple countries, whether by birthright, the naturalization process, or through citizenship by investment programs.
While the nationality laws and eligibility for multiple citizenships vary from country to country, many countries have opened their doors to the notion of dual citizenship and granting second citizenship to foreign nationals. This enables a dual citizen to have dual or even triple citizenship status, depending on the country.
This article takes a deeper look into alternative citizenship, revealing which countries recognize dual citizenship. It will shed light on the advantages of obtaining a foreign nationality, and the intricacies and experiences of those fortunate enough to hold dual citizenship status and call more than one nation their home. From enhanced travel privileges with two passports to expanded economic opportunities through global markets, keep reading for more information on foreign citizenship and the paths to obtaining dual citizenship.
The Dynamic of Dual Citizenship
Dual citizenship is a widely used term, but its implications and what dual citizenship means can differ based on the two countries granting citizenship. British citizens or individuals with US or Canadian citizenship have comprehensive rights to obtain dual citizenship. Citizens of these countries are free to acquire a second nationality and more than one passport without the requirement to report their new legal status to the government. The only questions you should now ask are:
-Which countries accept dual citizenship with the US? (Or any country of citizenship)
-Does my home country have a reciprocal agreement with countries that allow dual citizenship in Europe?
Another instance of the limitations on dual citizenship is Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI), where alternative citizenship was exclusively granted to minors who involuntarily acquired citizenship. Modifications in the Indian Citizenship Act introduced a form of partial citizenship akin to permanent residency, as it does not include political rights such as the right to vote or run for public office.
Of the many countries that accept dual citizenship, some exclusively reserve the right to multiple citizenship for specific individuals, such as:
- Persons who obtained citizenship by birth
- Persons who acquired citizenship by marriage
- Naturalized citizens
- Citizens of former territories
- Persons who experienced forced migration or displacement
Why do some countries allow dual citizenship?
Many countries that allow their citizens to be dual nationals have various reasons that can benefit both citizens and the nation. Here are some of the main reasons why countries allow citizenship in more than one country:
Economic benefits
Dual citizens may contribute economically to their country’s government by investing, starting a local business, and creating jobs. They can also maintain economic ties with their countries of dual nationality through real estate investment, which obliges the dual citizen to pay taxes such as property tax or tax on income generated through rental properties.
Although the United States allows US citizens to have multiple citizenship status, an American citizen is liable to pay taxes on worldwide income in specific circumstances. This economic tie wouldn’t be possible if they lost their US citizenship automatically after they gained citizenship in another country.
Family reunification
Dual nationality facilitates family reunification, enabling dual citizens with family members with only one citizenship to obtain alternative citizenship from different countries. This allows families to stay connected, live together, and access social and political rights.
Cultural diversity
A country that permits dual citizenship establishes its recognition and celebration of its diverse cultural heritage. Through multiple nationalities, it promotes inclusivity and creates a sense of belonging for individuals with ties to other countries.
Retaining skilled workforce
Allowing dual nationality can prevent brain drain by encouraging skilled citizens living abroad to maintain their home country’s citizenship. This helps retain talent and expertise, contributing to national development as many skilled individuals return to their home countries.
Citizenship by birthright
Many countries grant citizenship either through the right of soil (jus soli) or the right of blood (jus sanguinis). If a child is born in a country that practices jus soli, they may obtain citizenship automatically, even if their parents are citizens of another country. On the flip side, jus sanguinis grants a child born in one country the right to obtain citizenship from their parents if their parents’ country adheres to this rule.
Historical ties
Some countries allow dual citizenship to recognize historical ties or unique relationships with particular communities or diaspora groups living abroad. This is particularly common with former territories. Although Argentina doesn’t universally allow dual citizenship, individuals with Italian or Spanish nationality can obtain and secure dual citizenship in Argentina.
Humanitarian reasons
Countries that accept dual citizenship may provide a safe haven for stateless individuals or refugees, offering them a legal identity and access to rights and protections. While not considered dual nationality traditionally, the 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness mandates that countries uphold their human rights obligations by offering legal status to stateless individuals.
Reciprocity laws
As a reciprocal measure, some countries may choose to allow dual citizenship, aiming to reciprocate fair treatment for their citizens living abroad.
The Advantages of Dual Citizenship
Dual citizens can access benefits offered by the two countries they hold citizenship in. Benefits include voting rights, accessing social privileges, and additional work opportunities.
Travel freedom
Advanced healthcare
Business opportunities
Future benefits for family
Travel freedom: Only citizens of a country can obtain a passport, and dual nationality means the right to acquire two passports from separate countries, facilitating additional visa-free travel. Holding two also eliminates restrictions many countries impose on temporary and permanent residents, such as a maximum stay period outside the country or an obligation to obtain a re-entry permit.
Advanced healthcare: Holding dual nationality allows individuals to access the best health offered by their respective countries of citizenship. Furthermore, each country may have specific areas in which they excel regarding healthcare.
Business opportunities: Dual-citizen entrepreneurs can easily open new sales channels and access new business and investment opportunities. Dual citizens can develop professionally and expand their investment portfolios without needing a work or self-employment visa permitting them to conduct business in a foreign country.
Future benefits for family: Holding dual nationality means you can sponsor your family members to obtain citizenship by descent. In many countries, children born to dual-citizen parents automatically obtain citizenship from their parents. Moreover, the inheritance of ancestral citizenship can span across multiple generations. For example, individuals can be eligible to obtain Polish citizenship through their great-grandparents.
The Disadvantages of Dual Citizenship
While dual nationality offers numerous advantages, it is essential to acknowledge that it may also entail certain drawbacks.
The complex process of obtaining citizenship: Acquiring a second citizenship may involve significant expenses and considerable time investment in collecting and processing the required documentation, particularly for ancestral citizenship.
Double taxation: Unless the two countries of citizenship have a double tax agreement, dual nationality may come with an increased tax burden. For example, the United States obliges US citizens with dual nationality to pay taxes, even if they have permanent residence in another country.
Dual obligations: Citizenship has varying responsibilities from one country to the other, with a significant one being mandatory national service. Individuals with Brazilian, Singaporean, or Chinese citizenship must adhere to their country’s enlistment laws once they reach a specified maturity age.
Inheritance complications: The complexity of inheritance laws in different countries can significantly affect dual citizens. When a dual citizen possesses assets or property in two countries, it can lead to estate planning and succession complications. Each country may have its own rules and regulations regarding inheritance, including tax implications, distribution of assets, and procedures for probate.
Which Countries Allow Dual Citizenship?
Many countries comprehensively recognize dual citizenship, while others permit it only in particular circumstances or for specific individuals. Here is a list of the countries that allow dual citizenship.
Please note that the list is not exhaustive.
Country | Allow Dual Citizenship | Conditions or Exceptions |
Afghanistan | No | A former citizen of Afghanistan who was displaced due to political instability or war and acquired new citizenship may hold “unofficial” Afghan citizenship. |
Albania | Yes | |
Algeria | Yes | |
American Samoa | Yes | |
Andorra | No | Citizens of Spain are permitted dual citizenship |
Angola | Yes | |
Antigua and Barbuda | Yes |
|
Argentina | Yes | Citizens of reciprocal countries can obtain dual citizenship in Argentina |
Armenia | Yes | |
Australia | Yes |
|
Austria | No | Individuals who gain dual nationality at birth can keep both citizenships. Dual citizenship is permitted for individuals eligible for Austrian citizenship by investment. |
Azerbaijan | No | |
Bahamas | No |
|
Bahrain | No |
|
Bangladesh | No | Bangladeshi nationals and their children with foreign citizenship must apply for a Dual Nationality Certificate. |
Barbados | Yes |
|
Belarus | No |
|
Belgium | Yes |
|
Belize | Yes | |
Benin | Yes | |
Bhutan | No | |
Bolivia | Yes | |
Bosnia and Herzegovina | Yes | Permits dual citizenship if there is a bilateral agreement between the two states. |
Botswana | No | Dual citizenship allowed until 21 years age. |
Brazil | Yes | |
Brunei Darussalam | No | Dual citizenship permitted until 18 years old. |
Bulgaria | Yes |
|
Burkina Faso | Yes |
|
Burundi | Yes |
|
Cambodia | Yes | |
Cameroon | No | Dual citizenship permitted until 21 years old. |
Canada | Yes |
|
Cape Verde | Yes |
|
Central African Republic | Yes |
|
Chad | N/A |
|
Chile | Yes |
|
China | No |
|
Colombia | Yes |
|
Comoros | Yes |
|
Democratic Republic of the Congo (Kinshasa) | No | Dual citizenship permitted until 21 years old. |
Republic of Congo (Brazzaville) | Yes |
|
Costa Rica | Yes |
|
Ivory Coast | Yes |
|
Croatia | Yes |
|
Cuba | No |
|
Cyprus | Yes |
|
Czech Republic | Yes |
|
Denmark | Yes |
|
Djibouti | Yes |
|
Dominica | Yes |
|
Dominican Republic | Yes |
|
East Timor | Yes |
|
Ecuador | Yes |
|
Egypt | Yes |
|
El Salvador | Yes |
|
Equatorial Guinea | Yes |
|
Eritrea | No |
|
Estonia | No |
|
Eswatini | No |
|
Ethiopia | No |
|
Fiji | Yes |
|
Finland | Yes |
|
France | Yes |
|
Gabon | N/A |
|
The Gambia | Yes |
|
Georgia | No | Allowed only when a foreign president grants citizenship based on exceptional merit. |
Germany | Yes | Must apply for a citizenship retention permit to keep German citizenship before applying for second citizenship. |
Ghana | Yes |
|
Greece | Yes | |
Grenada | Yes | |
Guatemala | Yes | |
Guinea | N/A | |
Guinea-Bissau | Yes | Permits dual citizenship if emigration was motivated by economic factors. |
Guyana | No | |
Haiti | Yes |
|
Honduras | Yes | Allows dual citizenship if a treaty exists with that country. |
Hong Kong | Yes |
|
Hungary | Yes |
|
Iceland | Yes |
|
India | No | Dual citizenship allowed for minor Indian citizens by birthright. Adult Indian citizens can acquire a second citizenship; however, they'll be considered an "overseas citizen" restricting their Indian citizenship rights. |
Indonesia | No |
|
Iran | No |
|
Iraq | Yes |
|
Ireland | Yes |
|
Israel | Yes |
|
Italy | Yes |
|
Jamaica | Yes |
|
Japan | No | Dual citizenship permitted until 21 years old. |
Jordan | Yes |
|
Kazakhstan | No |
|
Kenya | Yes |
|
Kiribati | No |
|
North Korea | No | |
North Macedonia | Yes |
|
South Korea | Yes |
|
Kosovo | Yes |
|
Kuwait | No |
|
Kyrgyzstan | Yes |
|
Laos | No |
|
Latvia | Yes |
|
Lebanon | Yes |
|
Lesotho | No | Dual citizenship permitted until 21 years old. |
Liberia | No | Dual citizenship permitted until the age of maturity. |
Libya | No |
|
Liechtenstein | No |
|
Lithuania | Yes | Permits dual citizenship only in certain circumstances. |
Luxembourg | Yes |
|
Macau | Yes |
|
Madagascar | No |
|
Malawi | No | Dual citizenship permitted until 22 years old. |
Malaysia | No |
|
Maldives | No | |
Mali | Yes |
|
Malta | Yes |
|
Marshal Islands | Yes | |
Mauritania | No |
|
Mauritius | Yes |
|
Mexico | Yes |
|
Micronesia | No | Dual citizenship permitted until 18 years old. |
Moldova | Yes | |
Monaco | No |
|
Mongolia | No |
|
Montenegro | No | Allows dual citizenship only if a bilateral treaty exists with the other country. |
Morocco | Yes |
|
Mozambique | Yes | |
Myanmar, Burma | No | |
Namibia | Yes |
|
Nauru | Yes | |
Nepal | No | |
Netherlands | No | Permits dual citizenship if you were born in a foreign country and obtained citizenship at birth, or lived there as a minor, or if you acquired your spouse’s nationality automatically. |
New Zealand | Yes |
|
Nicaragua | Yes |
|
Niger | Yes |
|
Nigeria | Yes | Allows dual citizenship for Nigerian citizens by birthright. |
North Macedonia | Yes |
|
Norway | No | Allows dual citizenship if original nationality cannot be relinquished. |
Oman | No |
|
Pakistan | Yes | Allows dual citizenship only if a bilateral treaty exists with the other country. |
Palau | No | Dual citizenship permitted until 21 years old. |
Palestine | N/A |
|
Panama | Yes |
|
Papua New Guinea | Yes |
|
Paraguay | Yes | Dual citizenship allowed for citizens by birth or ancestry where an international treaty exists. |
Peru | Yes |
|
Philippines | No |
|
Poland | Yes |
|
Portugal | Yes |
|
Qatar | No |
|
Romania | Yes |
|
Russia | Yes |
|
Rwanda | No |
|
St. Kitts and Nevis | Yes |
|
St. Lucia | Yes |
|
St. Vincent and the Grenadines | Yes |
|
Samoa | Yes |
|
San Marino | No |
|
Sao Tome and Principe | No |
|
Saudi Arabia | No |
|
Scotland | Yes |
|
Senegal | N/A |
|
Serbia | Yes |
|
Seychelles | Yes |
|
Sierra Leone | Yes |
|
Singapore | No |
|
Slovakia | No |
|
Slovenia | Yes | Allows dual citizenship for citizens by birth or descent. |
Solomon Islands | No | Dual citizenship permitted until 18 years old. |
Somalia | Yes |
|
South Africa | Yes | Dual citizenship is allowed only if the South African Minister of Home Affairs grants permission. |
South Sudan | Yes |
|
Spain | Yes | Dual citizenship allowed for citizens of Latin American countries, Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea, or Portugal, or for Spanish citizens by birthright their second citizenship within three years of acquiring it. |
Sri Lanka | Yes | An Application for Retention must be submitted to be eligible for dual citizenship. |
Sudan | Yes |
|
Suriname | No |
|
Sweden | Yes |
|
Switzerland | Yes |
|
Syria | Yes |
|
Taiwan | Yes |
|
Tajikistan | Yes | Dual nationals will only be considered citizens of Tajikistan. |
Tanzania | No | Allows dual citizenship until 18 years old. |
Thailand | Yes |
|
Tibet | Yes |
|
Togo | No |
|
Tonga | Yes |
|
Trinidad and Tobago | Yes | Allows dual citizenship only for citizens of Trinidad and Tobago by birthright. |
Tunisia | Yes |
|
Turkey | Yes |
|
Turkmenistan | No |
|
Tuvalu | N/A |
|
Uganda | Yes |
|
Ukraine | No |
|
United Arab Emirates | No |
|
United Kingdom | Yes |
|
United States | Yes |
|
Uruguay | Yes |
|
Uzbekistan | No |
|
Vanuatu | Yes |
|
Vatican City | Yes |
|
Venezuela | Yes |
|
Vietnam | Yes |
|
British Virgin Islands | Yes |
|
Yemen | Yes | Dual citizenship requires prior permission. |
Zambia | Yes |
|
Zimbabwe | Yes | Dual nationality allowed only for citizens by birthright. |
Dual citizenship in EU countries: Many European nations accept dual citizenship, and European countries like the United Kingdom and France have some of the most diverse ranges of dual citizens worldwide. The few European countries that don’t permit dual citizenship include Estonia, the Netherlands, and Austria. However, these are also among the EU countries that allow dual citizenship under specific circumstances.
Dual citizenship in Africa: African nations are relatively divided in their acceptance of dual nationality. While many don’t recognize dual nationality, African countries that allow dual citizenship include Angola, Benin, Burundi, Morocco, and Sierra Leone.
Dual citizenship in South America: Besides a few countries, South American countries almost universally acknowledge dual citizenship. Of other countries in the Americans, several Caribbean countries allow dual citizenship by investment, including St. Kitts and Nevis, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, and St. Lucia.
How Global Citizen Solutions Can Help
Pursuing dual citizenship is becoming increasingly popular in today’s globalized world. Many countries now offer investment programs, allowing foreign investors to obtain dual citizenship and a foreign passport in exchange for an investment in the country’s economy. Investment programs not only contribute to the country’s economic growth but grant financial freedom, protection, and benefits of having a Plan B.
Global Citizen Solutions is a boutique global citizenship and residence advisory firm providing international clients with dual citizenship and residency solutions. Contact us today to begin your journey to acquiring dual citizenship.
Frequently Asked Questions about Countries that Acknowledge Dual Citizenship
Can a US citizen have citizenship in multiple countries?
US citizens can legally hold citizenship in multiple countries. The United States recognizes dual citizenship, meaning an individual can be both a US citizen and a citizen of another country while holding two or more passports.
Does dual citizenship affect US citizenship?
Dual citizenship does not impact US citizenship status, as the United States permits dual citizenship.
Does the US allow triple citizenship?
An American citizen can hold double or triple citizenship with their American citizenship, as the United States allows US citizens to hold citizenship in multiple countries.
Can I acquire dual citizenship through ancestry or heritage?
Whether or not you can acquire citizenship in a foreign country through ancestry depends on the dual citizenship laws of the host country and your ancestral history. Italian citizenship by descent has no generational limits, meaning individuals with Italian ancestry are eligible for dual citizenship, provided their ancestral line remains unbroken.
Are there any countries that do not allow dual citizenship?
There are a few countries that do not allow dual citizenship. Here is a list of countries that do not permit dual citizenship:
- Bahrain
- Malaysia
- Qatar
- Singapore
Can I acquire dual citizenship if I marry a citizen of another country?
Marriage to a citizen of a country can expedite the naturalization process, allowing the spouse of a citizen to obtain dual citizenship.
Does the UK not allow dual citizenship?
The UK is one of several dual-citizenship countries with no restrictions on the number of nationalities British citizens can hold next to their British citizenship.
Which Asian Countries allow dual citizenship?
Compared to global standards, Asian countries are pretty restrictive in their stance on dual citizenship. However, Asian countries that allow dual citizenship include Thailand, Cambodia, and South Korea. Muslim countries that permit dual citizenship include Turkey and Lebanon.
Why doesn't Japan allow dual citizenship?
Japan is not among the countries that permit dual citizenship, as the Japanese government has previously expressed no national interest in allowing dual or multiple citizenships. Japan continues to prioritize a strong sense of national identity and citizen loyalty. The Japanese government aims to promote a cohesive and unified society by enforcing a single citizenship rule.