Dual citizenship is the result of the interaction of the laws of two countries. People can become dual citizens automatically (normally by birth or marriage), or after successfully applying for the citizenship of another country.
When it comes to multiple citizenship - normally referred to as dual citizenship - the world is divided: there are countries whose citizenship regulations allow their own citizens to acquire another citizenship without losing their present citizenship. In contrast, other countries do not allow the acquisition of another citizenship, i.e. the acquisition of another citizenship necessarily leads to the loss of the present citizenship.
Accordingly, the acquisition of an alternative, second citizenship is only legally possible for citizens of those countries which allow dual citizenship.
The following is an overview of citizenship regulations in selected countries. The information is based on Henley & Partners' interpretation of citizenship legislation in the relevant countries.
Countries which Allow Dual Citizenship
The following countries allow the acquisition of another citizenship:
- Austria*
- Australia
- Bangladesh
- Belize
- Brazil
- Canada
- Colombia
- Cyprus
- Dominica
- Egypt
- El Salvador
- Finland
- France
- Germany*
- Greece
- Grenada
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Israel
- Italy
- Jordan
- Latvia
- Lebanon
- Lithuania
- Macedonia
- Malta
- Mexico
- Montenegro
- New Zealand
- Pakistan*
- Philippines
- Russia
- Serbia
- Spain (only in certain cases)
- Sri Lanka
- St. Kitts & Nevis
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Syria
- Turkey
- United Kingdom
- United States of America
- Western Samoa
* Persons retain their former citizenship only if they apply to do so prior to taking out another citizenship. Otherwise citizenship is generally lost ex lege.
Countries which Do Not Allow Dual Citizenship
The following countries do not allow the acquisition of another citizenship:
- Belgium
- Brunei
- Chile
- China
- Denmark
- Ecuador
- Fiji
- Indonesia
- Iran1
- Japan
- Kenya
- Kiribati
- Malaysia
- Mauritius
- Myanmar
- Nepal
- Norway
- Papua New Guinea
- Peru
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Singapore
- Solomon Islands
- Thailand
- Vietnam
- Venezuela
- Zimbabwe
1Does not recognize dual citizenship but continues to recognize its citizens as Iranian
