Can I have dual citizenship?
Overview
Before pursuing ancestral citizenship, it's important to understand how it might interact with your current citizenship status. Even if your current country has restrictions on dual citizenship, you may still be eligible to claim and transition to your ancestral citizenship if desired. The implications vary significantly based on your country's policies and how the new citizenship is acquired.
Country Citizenship Policies
Policy Type Unrestricted Ancestry-Friendly Prohibited Policy Allow multiple citizenships in all cases Allow dual citizenship only if acquired automatically (birth/ancestry) Generally prohibit dual citizenship Examples USA, Canada, UK, Italy Netherlands, Austria, Germany Ethiopia, Japan, Singapore Impact Can freely hold multiple citizenships Can keep dual citizenship if acquired by birth/ancestry, but not through naturalization Adults generally must choose one citizenship Common Scenarios - Can hold multiple citizenships, including through naturalization
- Children inherit multiple citizenships automatically
- Child born to Dutch parent abroad keeps both
- But Dutch citizen naturalizing elsewhere loses Dutch citizenship
- Must typically renounce original citizenship to naturalize
- May need to choose upon reaching adulthood
Unrestricted
- Policy
- Allow multiple citizenships in all cases
- Examples
- USA, Canada, UK, Italy
- Impact
- Can freely hold multiple citizenships
- Common Scenarios
- Can hold multiple citizenships, including through naturalization
- Children inherit multiple citizenships automatically
Ancestry-Friendly
- Policy
- Allow dual citizenship only if acquired automatically (birth/ancestry)
- Examples
- Netherlands, Austria, Germany
- Impact
- Can keep dual citizenship if acquired by birth/ancestry, but not through naturalization
- Common Scenarios
- Child born to Dutch parent abroad keeps both
- But Dutch citizen naturalizing elsewhere loses Dutch citizenship
Prohibited
- Policy
- Generally prohibit dual citizenship
- Examples
- Ethiopia, Japan, Singapore
- Impact
- Adults generally must choose one citizenship
- Common Scenarios
- Must typically renounce original citizenship to naturalize
- May need to choose upon reaching adulthood
Note: The key distinction is how citizenship is acquired. Many countries treat citizenship acquired automatically (through birth or ancestry) more favorably than naturalization. However, some countries require choosing one citizenship even for ancestry-based claims.
| Policy Type | Unrestricted | Ancestry-Friendly | Prohibited |
|---|---|---|---|
| Policy | Allow multiple citizenships in all cases | Allow dual citizenship only if acquired automatically (birth/ancestry) | Generally prohibit dual citizenship |
| Examples | USA, Canada, UK, Italy | Netherlands, Austria, Germany | Ethiopia, Japan, Singapore |
| Impact | Can freely hold multiple citizenships | Can keep dual citizenship if acquired by birth/ancestry, but not through naturalization | Adults generally must choose one citizenship |
| Common Scenarios |
|
|
|
Unrestricted
- Policy
- Allow multiple citizenships in all cases
- Examples
- USA, Canada, UK, Italy
- Impact
- Can freely hold multiple citizenships
- Common Scenarios
- Can hold multiple citizenships, including through naturalization
- Children inherit multiple citizenships automatically
Ancestry-Friendly
- Policy
- Allow dual citizenship only if acquired automatically (birth/ancestry)
- Examples
- Netherlands, Austria, Germany
- Impact
- Can keep dual citizenship if acquired by birth/ancestry, but not through naturalization
- Common Scenarios
- Child born to Dutch parent abroad keeps both
- But Dutch citizen naturalizing elsewhere loses Dutch citizenship
Prohibited
- Policy
- Generally prohibit dual citizenship
- Examples
- Ethiopia, Japan, Singapore
- Impact
- Adults generally must choose one citizenship
- Common Scenarios
- Must typically renounce original citizenship to naturalize
- May need to choose upon reaching adulthood
Ways to Acquire Citizenship
Method Description Ancestry (jus sanguinis) Through family heritage - parents, grandparents, or earlier ancestors Birthplace (jus soli) By birth in a country's territory (common in the Americas) Naturalization Through residency and application later in life Marriage Through spouse Adoption Through legal adoption process Investment In exchange for significant economic contribution
Ancestry (jus sanguinis)
- Description
- Through family heritage - parents, grandparents, or earlier ancestors
Birthplace (jus soli)
- Description
- By birth in a country's territory (common in the Americas)
Naturalization
- Description
- Through residency and application later in life
Marriage
- Description
- Through spouse
Adoption
- Description
- Through legal adoption process
Investment
- Description
- In exchange for significant economic contribution
| Method | Description |
|---|---|
| Ancestry (jus sanguinis) | Through family heritage - parents, grandparents, or earlier ancestors |
| Birthplace (jus soli) | By birth in a country's territory (common in the Americas) |
| Naturalization | Through residency and application later in life |
| Marriage | Through spouse |
| Adoption | Through legal adoption process |
| Investment | In exchange for significant economic contribution |
Ancestry (jus sanguinis)
- Description
- Through family heritage - parents, grandparents, or earlier ancestors
Birthplace (jus soli)
- Description
- By birth in a country's territory (common in the Americas)
Naturalization
- Description
- Through residency and application later in life
Marriage
- Description
- Through spouse
Adoption
- Description
- Through legal adoption process
Investment
- Description
- In exchange for significant economic contribution
Important Considerations
Consideration Key Points Notable Countries Tax Obligations - Worldwide income taxation
- Foreign account/asset disclosures
- Severe penalties for non-compliance
- USA (up to 40.8% worldwide tax)
- Eritrea (2% diaspora tax)
- Others: generally residency-based only
Military Service - Mandatory service in some countries
- Age and gender affect obligations
- Special provisions for dual citizens
- Israel (men 18-32, women 18-26)
- Greece (men 19-45)
- Austria (men 18-35)
Estate Planning - Forced heirship laws reserve portions for children
- Different inheritance tax treaties and rates
- Some countries tax worldwide estates
- France (50-75% reserved for children)
- Germany (50% minimum to children)
- Italy (up to 75% reserved for family)
Civic Duties - Some countries require voting even abroad
- Fines for non-compliance
- Registration requirements continue
- Australia (must register overseas)
- Belgium (fines + career restrictions)
- Luxembourg (first 5 years abroad)
Government Employment - Increased scrutiny for security clearances
- Restrictions on sensitive positions
- May require citizenship renunciation
- USA (security clearance restrictions)
- Canada (certain positions)
- Australia (parliament eligibility)
Renunciation Complexity - Expensive and time-consuming process
- Exit taxes may apply for wealthy citizens
- Usually irreversible
- USA ($2,350 fee + up to 23.8% exit tax)
- Argentina (presidential approval required)
- Others: generally administrative fees only
Tax Obligations
- Key Points
- Worldwide income taxation
- Foreign account/asset disclosures
- Severe penalties for non-compliance
- Notable Countries
- USA (up to 40.8% worldwide tax)
- Eritrea (2% diaspora tax)
- Others: generally residency-based only
Military Service
- Key Points
- Mandatory service in some countries
- Age and gender affect obligations
- Special provisions for dual citizens
- Notable Countries
- Israel (men 18-32, women 18-26)
- Greece (men 19-45)
- Austria (men 18-35)
Estate Planning
- Key Points
- Forced heirship laws reserve portions for children
- Different inheritance tax treaties and rates
- Some countries tax worldwide estates
- Notable Countries
- France (50-75% reserved for children)
- Germany (50% minimum to children)
- Italy (up to 75% reserved for family)
Civic Duties
- Key Points
- Some countries require voting even abroad
- Fines for non-compliance
- Registration requirements continue
- Notable Countries
- Australia (must register overseas)
- Belgium (fines + career restrictions)
- Luxembourg (first 5 years abroad)
Government Employment
- Key Points
- Increased scrutiny for security clearances
- Restrictions on sensitive positions
- May require citizenship renunciation
- Notable Countries
- USA (security clearance restrictions)
- Canada (certain positions)
- Australia (parliament eligibility)
Renunciation Complexity
- Key Points
- Expensive and time-consuming process
- Exit taxes may apply for wealthy citizens
- Usually irreversible
- Notable Countries
- USA ($2,350 fee + up to 23.8% exit tax)
- Argentina (presidential approval required)
- Others: generally administrative fees only
| Consideration | Key Points | Notable Countries |
|---|---|---|
| Tax Obligations |
|
|
| Military Service |
|
|
| Estate Planning |
|
|
| Civic Duties |
|
|
| Government Employment |
|
|
| Renunciation Complexity |
|
|
Tax Obligations
- Key Points
- Worldwide income taxation
- Foreign account/asset disclosures
- Severe penalties for non-compliance
- Notable Countries
- USA (up to 40.8% worldwide tax)
- Eritrea (2% diaspora tax)
- Others: generally residency-based only
Military Service
- Key Points
- Mandatory service in some countries
- Age and gender affect obligations
- Special provisions for dual citizens
- Notable Countries
- Israel (men 18-32, women 18-26)
- Greece (men 19-45)
- Austria (men 18-35)
Estate Planning
- Key Points
- Forced heirship laws reserve portions for children
- Different inheritance tax treaties and rates
- Some countries tax worldwide estates
- Notable Countries
- France (50-75% reserved for children)
- Germany (50% minimum to children)
- Italy (up to 75% reserved for family)
Civic Duties
- Key Points
- Some countries require voting even abroad
- Fines for non-compliance
- Registration requirements continue
- Notable Countries
- Australia (must register overseas)
- Belgium (fines + career restrictions)
- Luxembourg (first 5 years abroad)
Government Employment
- Key Points
- Increased scrutiny for security clearances
- Restrictions on sensitive positions
- May require citizenship renunciation
- Notable Countries
- USA (security clearance restrictions)
- Canada (certain positions)
- Australia (parliament eligibility)
Renunciation Complexity
- Key Points
- Expensive and time-consuming process
- Exit taxes may apply for wealthy citizens
- Usually irreversible
- Notable Countries
- USA ($2,350 fee + up to 23.8% exit tax)
- Argentina (presidential approval required)
- Others: generally administrative fees only