Dual Citizenship: What it is and How to Become a Dual Citizen in 2025

Dual citizenship is a legal status that allows a person to be a citizen in two or more different countries.

Being a dual citizen brings with it many benefits including access to high-quality education and healthcare services, increased travel freedom, enhanced business opportunities and more.

In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about becoming a dual citizen, including:

• What Is Dual Citizenship?
• The Difference Between Dual Citizenship and a Dual Passport
• How to Get Dual Citizenship
• Advantages of Dual Citizenship
• Countries That Allow Dual Citizenship
• Does the US Allow Dual Citizenship?
• Countries That Prohibit Americans Dual Citizenship
• Frequently Asked Questions About Dual Citizenship

What Does Dual Citizenship Mean?

Dual citizenship, sometimes called second citizenship, refers to the status of someone who is a citizen of two different countries.

Criteria for dual citizenship differs from country to country. For example, a child born in the US receives American citizenship regardless of the parents’ nationality or immigration status. Similarly, if both parents are US citizens and the child is born in a foreign country, the child is automatically a US citizen at birth.

According to the Global Intelligence Unit’s report “The Transformation of Citizenship“, over 76% of nations now recognize dual citizenship (compared to only 33% in 1960). This reflects a significant shift in flexible citizenship models.

However, there are still countries that do not allow or acknowledge dual citizenship. If you inform your home country’s government of your desire to apply for dual citizenship, you might be rejected or have to renounce your current citizenship.

Dual Citizenship Versus Dual Passport: What’s the Difference?

A dual passport means you are in possession of a second passport, while dual citizenship is the status of having two or more legal nationalities.

How to Get Dual Citizenship

Your home country and the new country where you’re planning to gain citizenship should recognize dual citizenship. If both countries accept it and you comply with the rules of these countries, then you can legally gain dual citizenship status.

Here are three ways you can acquire dual citizenship:

By birthright

You can get legal dual nationality through birthright. It is one of the most common ways people become dual citizens. This is a legal practice whereby citizenship is automatically granted to an individual upon their birth.

By descent

It is also known as citizenship by ancestry. This is the process whereby your family ties can determine your citizenship. For example, if you hold citizenship by naturalization in Australia and have a grandparent born in Poland, you can acquire Polish citizenship by descent and gain dual citizenship in both Australia and Poland.

By naturalization

The citizenship by naturalization process of becoming a citizen by meeting certain legal requirements, such as staying in a country for a minimum period of time or taking a citizenship test.

By marriage

Citizenship by marriage is another way individuals can gain dual citizenship. If your spouse is a citizen of another country, you may have the right to citizenship with a reduced residency period. Spain’s naturalization process takes ten years for most foreign nationals; however, the spouse of a Spanish citizen can gain Spanish nationality after one year of residency.

By investment

Immigrant investor programs have paved the way for those without birthright claims, familial ties, or non-permanent residents without years of residency in other countries to gain legal dual nationality by investing in a country’s economy.

Citizenship by investment is a legitimate option for those seeking dual citizenship, with the potential to obtain a second passport within as little as two months (depending on the country).

Additionally, the eligibility requirements for citizenship by investment programs don’t always include speaking the national language or minimum residency in the country.

For example, countries like Dominica, Vanuatu, and Portugal are popular options for citizenship by investment, offering dual citizenship without requiring a visit to the country. Dominica provides citizenship within three months with a minimum investment of $200,000.

The Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment program requires a $130,000 contribution for a single applicant or $150,000 for a couple and comes with tax advantages such as no income or inheritance tax. Portugal’s Golden Visa program allows investors to gain residency and, after five years, apply for citizenship without renouncing their original nationality.

Advantages of Dual Citizenship

There are many pros and cons of dual citizenship, but we are sticking to the pros in this section. Dual citizens can have the right to vote in two countries, and hold more than one foreign passport which affects travel and global mobility. Here are some of the key benefits of dual citizenship:

Countries That Allow Dual Citizenship

Some countries fully acknowledge dual citizenship, while others allow it only in specific situations or for particular individuals. Here is a list of countries that allow dual nationality, but is not an exhaustive list.

Does the US Allow Dual Citizenship?

Many countries, including the US, allow their citizens to hold dual citizenship, meaning they can have citizenship in more than one country.

Although the US Constitution does not officially recognize dual citizenship or Americans as dual nationals, it does not prevent US citizens from obtaining citizenship in another country.

A US citizen can become a citizen of another country through naturalization or other methods while retaining their US citizenship, effectively making them a dual citizen.

If you are a US citizen living abroad and decide to pursue dual citizenship, you will not lose your American citizenship. Your residency in another country and any citizenship application you make in that country will not affect your US citizenship.

However, it’s important to note that the US follows a ‘master nationality’ rule, which means that the US government considers a person’s US nationality to take precedence over any other citizenship they hold, regardless of the other country’s laws. If your parents are citizens of another country, you may also be eligible for citizenship and a foreign passport, depending on that country’s nationality and immigration laws.

Passport Requirements for US Citizens

A federal regulation for US dual nationals with two valid passports is that they must use their US passports to enter and leave the United States. This requirement may extend to the foreign country’s rules, as dual citizens are often required to use their foreign passport to enter and leave their second country of citizenship.

According to the Supreme Court of the United States, dual nationality is a well-established legal status that permits a person to possess and exercise the rights of their two nationalities while also bearing the responsibilities of both, including tax obligations.

While American dual nationals must present their US passport upon re-entry, the rule does not form part of the potentially expatriating acts as determined by the US Department of Stateus . Therefore, using a foreign passport does not threaten US citizenship.

Tax Obligations For Dual Citizens

One downside of holding dual citizenship is that US citizens living outside the USA may face double taxation due to the country’s taxation system. US citizens must pay federal taxes whether they’re permanent residents or citizens of a foreign country. Should the foreign country impose its income taxes, it can lead to a dual citizen being subject to double taxation.

As a US national, you are liable to pay US income tax, even though you may have residency in another country. Nevertheless, US citizens living abroad can reduce their tax obligations through tax credits on US-earned income and exemptions on income generated in a foreign country. While US dual nationals may be unable to avoid double taxation altogether, these tax concessions reduce or eliminate income taxes in some situations.

Countries That Prohibit Dual Citizenship for US Citizens

While many countries have general prohibitions or restrictions on dual citizenship, few explicitly prohibit dual citizenship, specifically with the United States. These prohibitions are often rooted in concerns over national security, the potential dilution of national identity, and the legal complexities that dual allegiance might introduce.

Here is a list of countries that prohibit dual citizenship with the United States:

How Can Global Citizen Solutions Help You?

Global Citizen Solutions is a boutique migration consultancy firm with years of experience delivering bespoke residence and citizenship by investment solutions for international families. With offices worldwide and an experienced, hands-on team, we have helped hundreds of clients worldwide acquire citizenship, residence visas, or homes while diversifying their portfolios with robust investments. 

We guide you from start to finish, taking you beyond your citizenship or residency by investment application. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Dual Citizenship

What is dual citizenship?

Dual citizenship status means someone holds legal citizenship in two or more countries a the same time. It’s also known as dual nationality.

What's the difference between dual citizenship and having two passports?

Having a second passport gives you the ability to easily travel between two countries while dual citizenship gives you citizen rights in two countries.
A second passport does not necessarily mean you are dual citizen as it depends on the country’s laws. However, being a dual citizen means you have a second passport.

What are the benefits of dual citizenship?

Benefits are related to easier mobility, access to high-quality services, property ownership and political rights.

• Work and travel: You don’t need a permit to work in either country nor do you need a visa to travel between them.
• Social services: Access to second citizenship education and healthcare benefits.
• Property ownership: Dual citizens can purchase and hold property in one or both countries
• Political rights: Dual citizens can vote, run for office and participate in political campaigns without restrictions.

What are the risks of dual citizenship?

Dual citizenship brings with it tax obligations, potential military service, loss of citizenship in your home country, having to fulfil obligations in both countries and navigating a difference in laws between countries.

What is the process of obtaining dual citizenship?

There are a few ways to get dual citizenship, including:

• Being born in another country that grants citizenship by birthright.
• Applying for second citizenship by descent through a dual citizen family member.
• Being married to a foreign national and obtaining dual citizenship by marriage.
• Living in a foreign country for a specified period to qualify for dual citizenship by naturalization.
• Investing in a country to receive a second passport by investment.

Bear in mind that both countries must allow dual citizenship for you to obtain dual citizen status.

What is the easiest country to get dual citizenship?

The easiest countries to get second citizenship as a foreign national are Caribbean nations that offer citizenship by investment. These include:

• Antigua and Barbuda
• Dominica
• Grenada
• St Kitts and Nevis
• St Lucia

While other countries also have attractive routes, these are considered to have some of the fastest and most straightforward paths to citizenship. To get citizenship in any country, you should first consult the citizenship and immigration services in that country.

How long does it take to get dual citizenship?

The average time it takes to get dual citizenship is around six months. Some applications can take longer, potentially up to a year.
It all depends on the country, the complexity of the application process and more.

How much does dual citizenship cost?

The average cost of obtaining citizenship ranges between $2,000 and $5,000 for the primary applicant, with additional fees for dependents.
If you go through a Citizenship by Investment program, the cost are obviously significantly higher.

Which countries do not allow dual citizenship?

Many countries do not allow dual citizenship or have restrictions, including China, Japan, Nepal, Andorra, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Belarus, Botswana, Bhutan, Malawi, Kuwait, and Laos.

Does dual citizenship affect social security benefits?

Social security benefits largely depend on the countries in which you have citizenship. For example, assuming you retain US citizenship, you can keep your social security benefits or options in both the United States and the other country, as long as the other country permits it. Dual citizenship rules may differ from country to country, so keep this in mind.

Can dual citizens vote in both countries?

Yes, in most instances you can vote in both countries where you hold citizenship.

Can dual citizens hold government positions in both countries?

No, you can’t hold a political or government position in both countries simultaneously due to conflict of interest. You have to choose one or the other.

Does dual citizenship affect taxes?

You may be subject to double taxation, depending on the laws in each country.

Does dual citizenship expire?

Adult passports typically have a ten-year validity; however, when discussing dual citizenship, citizenship is generally a permanent status and, in many countries, can be passed down to future generations.

While there are often revisions to citizenship laws, increasing globalization has prompted many countries to relax their stringent rules prohibiting dual citizenship.

Can dual citizens be deported?

Yes, dual citizens can potentially be deported. This is dependent on the laws of the countries a person is a citizen of.

Do I need to fulfill military service in both countries?

If military service is mandatory in the countries where you hold multiple citizenships, you are required to follow the rules in place in both countries. Certain countries with compulsory military service offer exemptions for dual citizens with permanent residence status in a foreign country.

Can I pass on my dual citizenship to my children?

Yes, you can pass your dual citizenship status to your children. Each country obviously has their own requirements so keep that in mind.

Can a U.S. citizen have dual citizenship?

While the United States Constitution doesn’t officially recognize dual citizenship, it does not prohibit US nationals from seeking a foreign nationality. So, yes, US citizens can legally hold dual citizenship.

What are the requirements for dual citizenship in the U.S.?

There are three routes to dual citizenship in the U.S.:

• Birthright: Children who are born in the U.S. automatically become citizens and they also acquire citizenship of their parents’ birth country.
• Naturalization: After living in the U.S. for three months before applying and having a green card for five year, pass an interview and citizenship test, take the Oath of Allegiance to the United States, and demonstrate good moral character.
• Marriage: You acquire your spouse’s citizenship subject to the laws of their home country while retaining your U.S. citizenship.