List of countries that allow dual citizenship

People with dual citizenship are nationals of two countries at the same time. They have equal rights with other citizens of these states: pay taxes, get social benefits, and receive a pension. People with dual citizenship are called dual citizens or dual nationals.

People with dual citizenship can choose in which country to serve in the military, and they pay taxes and receive social benefits in the state in which they permanently reside.

Dual citizenship is possible only if both countries have an agreement and recognise the rights and obligations of a citizen in another state. For example, such agreements exist between Spain and its former colonies: Peru, Chile, Paraguay, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Bolivia, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Honduras, the Dominican Republic, Argentina, and Colombia.

Some countries, like Portugal and Italy, allow dual citizenship, while others, such as Austria, prohibit it.

Dual citizenship is different from second citizenship. Holding a second passport does not grant equal rights in both countries. In this case, each state considers a person with two nationalities only as its own citizen.

Vladlena Baranova,

Head of Legal & AML Compliance Department, CAMS, IMCM

Second citizenship offers both advantages and responsibilities. Dual nationals can access social benefits and pensions in both countries. However, they may also be required to pay taxes and fulfill military service obligations in each.

Many countries have tax treaties to prevent double taxation. These agreements determine which country has the primary right to tax specific types of income.

Public authorities may not be aware of a person’s second citizenship if the law does not require notification of its existence. If there is such a legal requirement, a fine or criminal liability could be imposed for failing to notify the government about a second citizenship.

In most cases, citizenship of any other country will be considered the second.

A passport can be obtained in different ways: for example, by participating in investment programs, naturalisation or marriage.

Holders of several passports can get the benefits offered by each state where they are a citizen. For instance, they can vote, have access to social privileges, and gain work opportunities.

1. Visa-free travel. Holding two passports allows for easier travel. For example, a European passport grants visa-free entry into the Schengen Area. Caribbean citizenship, such as that of Dominica, grants visa-free access to over 145 countries.

2. High-quality healthcare system. With dual nationality, one can get access to whichever healthcare system of the two countries is best. Citizenship of an EU country permits one to apply to public medical institutions of the union and use medical services free of charge or at reduced prices.

3. Access to the best education. Best schools and universities are situated in the US, UK, and EU. Second citizenship may help children get a good education and job, with their parents having no obstacles to visiting them.

4. Moving to another country. Dual citizens can choose to live in a country with a warmer climate, better ecology, more attractive fiscal system and broader opportunities for doing business.

5. Business development. Entrepreneurs can expand their business by opening new sales channels. Second citizenship allows one to open a company abroad and promptly travel to business meetings.

6. Employment opportunities. Dual citizens have the right to work without the need for a work permit in their countries of citizenship, broadening job opportunities across multiple markets.

7. Better future for the family. Children born in families with multiple nationalities can automatically obtain citizenship of the country in which they were born. Dual nationals can also sponsor family members for citizenship or residence permits. For example, in the USA, citizens can sponsor relatives for Green Cards.

Citizenship by investment programs also allow to include family members in the application: a spouse, children, parents, grandparents, and siblings. Relatives will become dual citizens at the same time as the investor.

8. Personal safety. Holding citizenship in more than one country offers flexibility to relocate or find refuge during political or economic instability. Dual citizens have a backup plan, allowing them to move freely and settle in another country where they hold citizenship if necessary. This provides peace of mind and a sense of stability, knowing multiple safe havens are available.

9. Tax optimisation. Second citizenship may provide opportunities for more favourable tax regimes, depending on the country. For instance, Caribbean nations like Antigua and Barbuda or St Kitts and Nevis do not tax personal income, capital gains, or inheritances, which can be highly beneficial for wealth management and estate planning.

10. Expanded property ownership rights. In many countries, property ownership is restricted to citizens. Holding a second citizenship allows individuals to purchase property in locations otherwise restricted to foreigners, offering investment opportunities and personal residence options unavailable otherwise.

11. Cultural heritage and identity. For many, holding citizenship in a country connected to their ancestry can be deeply fulfilling. It allows them to strengthen ties with their cultural heritage, participate in traditions, and maintain linguistic and historical connections.

Uncover the advantages of European citizenship and the fastest way to obtain an EU passport

Despite the many advantages, there are some drawbacks to obtaining dual citizenship.

Complicated process of obtaining citizenship. It can be expensive and time-consuming to collect and process all the documents for second citizenship.

Double taxation. There is a high risk of paying taxes to both countries. For example, the United States obliges people with dual citizenship to pay taxes, even if they live in another country.

Dual obligations. As a dual national, one must comply with the laws of both countries — for example, to serve in the military. If there is a conflict between two countries, the choice of one side may lead to the loss of citizenship in the second country or even a tribunal.

Some countries, such as Israel, require all citizens to serve in the military, including those naturalised. Caribbean states offering citizenship by investment, such as St Kitts and Nevis and Dominica, do not impose military service obligations.

No career in politics. A person with dual or second citizenship is not entitled to work in government bodies or have access to state secrets. The ban on work in state bodies is imposed due to a threat to the state’s internal security. This applies to both the country of origin and the country of second and subsequent citizenship.

Stateless persons are individuals who do not hold any citizenship. They can be born into a stateless family or lose their citizenship during their lifetime.

One can become a stateless person if:

1. They are born into a family where both parents are stateless. However, if they are born in a country where the principle of “jus soli” is applied, they acquire citizenship.

2. They renounce their citizenship. For example, this may occur when a person seeks citizenship in another country. Until they obtain proof of identity in the new country, they are considered stateless.

3. They are sentenced to lose citizenship for committing crimes that the state believes pose a threat to its citizens.

4. Their passport is annulled because it was obtained illegally.

5. The country of their citizenship de jure and de facto ceases to exist.

6. There is a conflict of nationality laws. For example, a woman may lose her citizenship in some countries if she marries a foreigner. If her husband’s country does not grant her citizenship immediately, she becomes stateless.

Statelessness can create significant challenges for individuals, including the inability to travel, work, or access basic services.

Duties. Countries that grant citizenship usually do not report this to the authorities of other countries. If a person decides to hide the fact of having a second passport, the executive bodies may not find out about it. However, if they do, the citizen may face criminal liability if prescribed by the law of the country.

If a citizen acquires a second citizenship, they are obliged to maintain the status of a citizen of both countries and comply with their laws, e.g. pay taxes.

A second citizenship does not, by itself, create an obligation to pay taxes in both countries. Taxation depends on the country of tax residence and source of income. For example, if a French citizen moves to the country of their second citizenship and becomes a tax resident there, but continues to receive income from sources in France, they may have an obligation to pay taxes in both countries.

Rights. Dual nationals have nearly all the rights and obligations of citizens of both countries. They can live, work, receive medical treatment, and educate children in both countries. A second passport may also expand travel opportunities; for example, citizens with Caribbean citizenship can visit Schengen Area countries without a visa.

49% of all countries allow dual citizenship, but some of them permit their citizens to hold dual nationality only under certain conditions.

For example, the Netherlands generally requires naturalised citizens to renounce their previous nationality. However, exceptions apply for spouses of Dutch citizens and individuals from countries that do not allow renunciation of citizenship.

Some countries require their subjects to have only one citizenship.

For example, Austria has strict rules and a complex process of obtaining citizenship. Permanent residents must live in the country continuously for 10 years before applying for citizenship. Applicants then must renounce any other citizenship.

Some countries grant citizenship by descent based on proof that your ancestors were citizens of that country.

List of countries where dual citizenship by descent is allowed:

• Bulgaria,

• Croatia,

• Cambodia,

• Liechtenstein,

• South Korea.

Bulgaria allows ethnic Bulgarians to obtain multiple nationalities without renouncing their Bulgarian passport. Those who renounced citizenship in the past may get it back. However, naturalised foreigners must renounce their other nationalities by becoming only Bulgarian citizens.

Croatia has similar requirements to Bulgaria, while ethnic Croatians who have acquired citizenship by descent from at least one parent may have dual nationalities. However, naturalised Croatians have to renounce all other citizenships when obtaining a Croatian passport.

Cambodia grants citizenship by descent to those born to at least one Khmer parent, regardless of the place of birth.

The United States allows dual citizenship and does not require naturalised individuals to renounce their home country. Despite the Oath of Allegiance to the United States, which refers to the rejection of "allegiance and fidelity" to other nations, the US law does not require a person to choose one nationality or another.

The US Department of State states that dual citizenship means allegiance to both the United States and a foreign state. People who have dual citizenship with the US are required to comply with the laws of both countries, and any country has the right to enforce its laws.

Although the US allows dual nationality, not all countries also support it. For example, China can automatically revoke a person’s citizenship if they become an American citizen.

India also does not allow dual citizenship with the United States. When one becomes an American citizen, they will automatically lose their Indian passport. However, a person can register as an "Overseas Citizen of India", or OCI, to get a multi-entry permanent visa and have all citizen rights except some political ones.

Having dual citizenship with the US opens up broad opportunities:

• the right to work anywhere in the country without a work visa;

• the ability for family members to apply for a Green Card;

• access to universities without a student visa;

• the freedom to travel abroad without restrictions;

• eligibility for social benefits and the right to vote.

However, when applying for US citizenship, it is important to consider the possible pitfalls.

People who hold any political posts may encounter challenges in employment. Having dual citizenship may be prohibited for military officers, judges, ministers, or deputies.

One may face double taxation if their country does not have a tax agreement with the United States. US citizens pay tax in the US regardless of where they live. For example, even after living in the Cayman Islands for 10 years, a US citizen must still pay US taxes.

Obtaining multiple citizenships can be either easy or arduous, depending on the country and the way of getting another nationality.

Citizenship by birth. Some countries grant citizenship automatically to individuals born within their territory, regardless of their parents' nationality. This principle is known as jus soli, meaning right of the soil.

Countries like the United States and Canada follow this rule. Other countries, such as Germany and Japan, do not grant automatic citizenship by birth unless at least one parent is a citizen or meets specific residency requirements.

Citizenship by naturalisation. This way is relatively simple if a foreigner has grounds to stay in the country for a long time. Investing, studying, or working in the country allows them to obtain citizenship in the future.

Conditions of obtaining citizenship by naturalisation may differ depending on the country. But, as a rule, foreigners must reside in the country for a long time.

For example, to apply for citizenship in Portugal, one has to reside in the country for five years, have no criminal record, and demonstrate knowledge of the state language and history.

Many countries offer residence by investment programs, also known as Golden Visas. These allow investors to obtain a residence permit in exchange for an investment, such as purchasing real estate or creating jobs.

Golden Visa holders can often apply for citizenship by naturalisation after fulfilling residency and other legal requirements. Countries like Portugal, Hungary, and Greece offer this path to citizenship.

Citizenship by marriage. Many countries offer a simplified naturalisation process for spouses of their citizens. The requirements vary: some countries grant citizenship immediately upon marriage, while others require the couple to be married for a certain period and prove genuine cohabitation.

For example, Spain allows spouses to apply for citizenship after just one year of marriage and residence, while the United States offers a three-year path to naturalisation for spouses of US citizens.

Citizenship by descent. Some countries like Spain or Ireland have a "right of blood," meaning if one’s parents or grandparents come from a country, they may be eligible to obtain that country’s citizenship.

Citizenship by origin is available only to those who can prove their family ties. A more straightforward and relatively simple way is to obtain citizenship by investment.

Citizenship by investment. This option is available in the Caribbean and some European countries. Investors can contribute to a state fund, invest in local businesses, or purchase real estate to obtain citizenship. It is possible to apply alone or include family members in the application.

Which countries grant citizenship to investors

Country

Investment

Period of citizenship obtaining

Vanuatu

$130,000+

1—4 months

Dominica

$200,000+

6+ months

Antigua and Barbuda

$230,000+

6+ months

Grenada

$235,000+

8+ months

St Lucia

$240,000+

6+ months

St Kitts and Nevis

$250,000+

6+ months

Egypt

$250,000+

10+ months

Turkey

$400,000+

8+ months

Malta

€690,000+

1 or 3 years

Some other countries also have investment programs. They allow foreigners to obtain a residence permit or permanent residence by making an investment — and then apply for citizenship.

Portugal is on the list of countries where dual citizenship is allowed. This country also has flexible conditions for obtaining a residence permit by investment. The minimum investment amount is €250,000. Fund shares or business investments can be purchased for this amount to obtain residency. After five years from the submission of a residence permit application, citizenship becomes an option.

Which countries grant residency by investment

Country

Type of residence

Investment

Period of obtaining

Portugal

Residence permit

€250,000+

12+ months

Malta

Permanent residence

€182,000+

6+ months

Cyprus

Permanent residence

€300,000+

9+ months

Greece

Residence permit

€250,000+

4+ months

Hungary

Residence permit

€250,000+

5+ months

Italy

Residence permit

€250,000+

4+ months

UAE

Residence permit

AED 750,000+

2+ months

Andorra

Residence permit

€600,000+

2+ months

1. Dual citizenship means holding nationality in two countries simultaneously, with equal rights in both. However, this is distinct from second citizenship, where rights in the second country may not be equal to those of its native citizens.

2. 49% of countries, including the US, Caribbean states, and Turkey, allow dual citizenship, offering benefits such as improved living conditions, social services, and travel opportunities.

3. It is essential to verify whether one’s home country permits dual citizenship to prevent the loss of original nationality. For example, dual citizenship is prohibited in China, India, Austria, and Japan.

4. Dual citizenship can be obtained on various grounds, such as naturalisation, descent, and investment.

5. Citizenship by investment is granted to foreigners who make investments in a local business, a state fund, or real estate. Some countries also allow the opening of a bank deposit or the purchase of government bonds.