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Second citizenship opens access to new opportunities, including visa-free travel, tax optimisation and the right to provide heirs with two passports by birthright.
A second passport can be obtained through investment in Caribbean countries, where investment amounts start from USD 200,000. In Vanuatu, it is available from USD 130,000, while the premium Maltese programme requires an investment of at least EUR 726,000. Additionally, many countries, such as Spain, Portugal and France, allow individuals to acquire citizenship through naturalisation after five to 10 years of permanent residence.
Currently, around 70 percent of countries, including Australia, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada and Turkey, recognise dual nationals, i.e., individuals who hold multiple nationalities.
The most common dual citizenship combinations typically involve countries with significant immigrant populations and strong connections, such as the USA and Mexico, the USA and Canada, and the USA and Italy.
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What is dual citizenship?
Dual citizenship is not the same as having a second citizenship. To get dual citizenship, an agreement must be in place between the countries that mutually recognise the rights and obligations of dual nationals. If no such agreement exists, the countries will consider the individual with 2 passports as their citizen. This may lead to undesirable consequences, such as the need to complete military service in both countries.
Second citizenship does not require an agreement between states. It is simpler to obtain and may include various rights and obligations that differ depending on each country’s legislation.
Benefits of second citizenship
In any country, a passport grants the right to live there, vote, work—including in public positions—and access social privileges. Key benefits of a second passport include:
- Freedom of Movement: In many cases, citizenship status provides extensive travel opportunities. For example, European passports allow entry into the Schengen Area without prior visa arrangements, while Caribbean passports grant access to over 140 countries.
- Business and Career Development: Entrepreneurs can expand their businesses internationally, while skilled professionals can advance their careers without needing work permits.
- Tax Optimisation: Business owners and asset holders in various countries can reduce their tax burden by acquiring passports from states having agreements to avoid double taxation.
- Family Opportunities: A child born to parents with multiple citizenships can inherit them by “right of blood.” Additionally, individuals with two or more passports can sponsor close relatives seeking citizenship or residency status.
- Safety: Having a second citizenship facilitates seeking refuge during political or economic instability. Bipatrides have a second home and can relocate to another country if needed.
- Education and Healthcare: A second passport can provide access to top-tier education and healthcare institutions. For example, citizens of EU countries have the right to study at European universities on favourable terms or even for free. This is particularly relevant for families wishing to secure high-quality education for their children. Citizenship in developed countries also grants access to first-class healthcare services, which can play a crucial role in the case of serious illnesses.
Drawbacks of second citizenship
When exploring what countries allow multiple citizenship, it is important to consider the potential disadvantages. Major drawbacks include:
- Legal complexities and conflicts of interest: Each country imposes certain requirements on its citizens, such as conforming to laws, paying taxes and fulfilling military obligations. If two countries that allow multiple citizenships have conflicting laws, this can put a person in a difficult position. For example, if one country requires mandatory military service while another prohibits its citizens from serving in foreign armies, this can create a challenging situation;
- Tax obligations: Citizens of some countries, such as the United States, are required to file tax returns and pay taxes regardless of their place of residence. This creates the risk of double taxation, especially if the countries have not signed an agreement to prevent such situations. As a result, a holder of second citizenship may face additional costs and complications in their accounting process;
- Restrictions on access to public office: Some countries prohibit their nationals with multiple citizenship from holding public or military positions. This is due to concerns about their loyalty. For example, in Russia, individuals with dual citizenship cannot hold key positions in government bodies. This restriction can be a significant drawback for those aspiring to a political career;
- Risks during international conflicts: If the two countries a person is a citizen of enter into conflict, this can pose a risk to personal safety. For instance, one of the countries may ban the entry of hostile citizens, even if they hold second citizenship, or may consider them a potential threat;
- Risks of losing citizenship: Some countries prohibit their citizens from holding a second passport and may revoke their citizenship if this is discovered. For example, in China and India, holding dual citizenship is not allowed, and a citizen automatically loses their status upon acquiring it.
Countries that allow dual citizenship
The comprehensive dual citizenship countries list includes nations where individuals can legally hold multiple nationalities.
“70 percent of all countries permit second citizenship, though some only under certain conditions. For example, Spain has agreements only with Latin American countries, Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea, and France. Citizens of other countries who wish to obtain a local passport must renounce their original nationality,” explains Valentin Glinsky.
Full list of countries that allow dual citizenship
| Europe | Albania, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, and Vatican City |
| Americas | Antigua and Barbuda, Canada, Dominica, Grenada, Mexico, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, the USA, etc. |
| Africa | Comoros, Madagascar, Morocco, Seychelles, South Africa, Tunisia, etc. |
| Asia | Armenia, Cambodia, the Maldives, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, Vietnam, etc. |
| Oceania | Australia, Fiji, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, and others |
| Middle East | Egypt, Israel, Jordan, the UAE, etc. |
Countries that don’t allow dual citizenship
In many countries, the attitude towards multi-citizenship varies depending on their historical, political and legal characteristics. It can be seen as a threat to national identity or security. Such countries adhere to a strict policy and require their citizens to hold only one passport. This applies to both citizens by birth and naturalised individuals. Such a prohibition is often driven by the desire to avoid legal conflicts related to the fulfilment of obligations, such as military service or taxation.
List of countries that do not allow dual citizenship
| Europe | Andorra, Austria, Estonia, Lithuania, Monaco, Netherlands, San Marino, Slovakia, Ukraine |
| Americas | The Bahamas, Guyana, Suriname |
| Africa | Ivory Coast, Somalia, Togo, Zimbabwe, etc. |
| Asia | China, Georgia, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Kazakhstan, Singapore, South Korea, etc. |
| Oceania | Marshall Islands, Micronesia |
| Middle East | Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, etc. |
Countries that offer dual citizenship only through descent
Some countries where you can have dual citizenship only offer a second passport to their native-born citizens. These include:
- Liechtenstein
- Slovenia
- Croatia
- Taiwan
- The Philippines
This policy helps maintain a connection to the homeland for those with citizenship by descent but limits opportunities for foreigners seeking double nationality through naturalisation.
The easiest way to obtain second citizenship
The difficulty of the process varies depending on the grounds for obtaining a passport. One relatively simple way is naturalisation. In most cases, legal residence in a country for a long period allows foreigners to apply for citizenship. The requirements depend on the specific country’s legislation. For example, to obtain a Portuguese passport, you must live in the country for 5 years, have no criminal record, and know the official language and history.
In some countries, such as Spain or Ireland, the “right of blood” applies. If the foreigner’s parents or grandparents are from those countries, they can apply for a passport.
One of the easiest and fastest ways to obtain citizenship is through investment. This option is offered by Caribbean countries and some European nations. Generally, foreigners are required to invest in a government fund, local business, or real estate. One of the main advantages of investment programmes is the possibility of including family members in the application.
Which countries offer citizenship through investment
In certain countries, foreigners can apply for citizenship through investment. For example, foreign buyers of real estate in Antigua and Barbuda valued at $300,000 or more are permitted to acquire a passport and resell the property after 5 years. Additionally, the programme allows for legalisation through a $230,000 contribution to the National Development Fund, a $260,000 donation to a university, or a $400,000 investment in a business.
Portugal allows for temporary residency with an investment of €250,000 in fund shares or a business, with the possibility of obtaining citizenship after 5 years.
Some countries do not have active programmes for obtaining citizenship through investment in real estate or other assets. However, such factors may positively influence an applicant’s chances when their application is reviewed by immigration authorities. Therefore, many opt for dual residency countries and invest in real estate in the USA and European countries before applying for citizenship.
Which countries offer residency through investment
| Country | Status | Minimum Investment | Processing Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portugal | Residency | EUR 250,000 | From 12 months |
| Cyprus | Permanent Residency | EUR 300,000 | From 9 months |
| Greece | Residency | EUR 250,000 | From 4 months |
| Hungary | Residency | EUR 250,000 | From 6 months |
| Italy | Residency | EUR 250,000 | From 4 months |
| Spain | Residency | EUR 500,000 | From 5 months |
| UAE | Residency | AED 750,000 | From 2 months |
FAQ
Yes, many countries allow their citizens to hold dual or multiple nationalities, although each nation has its own specific laws and requirements. For instance, can you be a citizen of multiple countries? In some cases, yes. Countries like the UK, Canada, and France allow this, but others may require you to renounce your original citizenship before acquiring a new one.
Most foreigners interested in acquiring an additional citizenship often choose Turkey, Vanuatu, and Caribbean nations. These dual citizenship countries offer passports in exchange for investments in local businesses, securities, or real estate.
The difference between dual and second citizenship is determined by whether there is an agreement between the states involved. A country may recognise the rights and obligations of an individual in relation to another state or consider them solely a citizen of that country, despite holding two passports.
One common question is: Can you have multiple passports from different countries? The answer depends on the laws of the countries in question. There is no universal limit to the number of citizenships a person can hold. An individual can obtain multiple citizenship if permitted by the laws of their home country and the countries for which they are seeking citizenship.
Yes, citizenship provides access to banking services in the issuing country and, in some cases, in other countries. For example, citizens of EU countries that allow dual citizenship can open an account in any member state.
To acquire citizenship in another country, an individual must be at least 18 years old. However, in some countries, a child may automatically become a citizen by “jus soli” (“right of soil”) or if their parents are residents.
Obtaining dual citizenship is possible only if 2 states have a corresponding agreement. It is important to understand that a second passport can be obtained without acquiring dual nationality if there are no legal impediments. Each state’s legislation provides different grounds for obtaining citizenship. Common ways include naturalisation, marriage to a citizen, or investment. Investments allow foreigners to obtain a passport through an expedited process under favourable conditions, such as purchasing property in Turkey.
Currently, over 50 countries prohibit dual citizenships. This includes Japan, Austria, and Saudi Arabia.
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