Navigating citizenship laws can be a complex endeavor. So, asking yourself how many citizenships you can have is the first step to understanding how to do so. Many individuals seek citizenship in multiple countries, often called “triple citizenship” or “holding multiple citizenships.”
This passport portfolio can offer a range of benefits, including visa-free travel to various destinations and access to diverse economic and cultural opportunities.
However, it’s crucial to be aware that not all countries permit or recognize dual citizenship. Some jurisdictions restrict dual citizenship, meaning individuals must renounce one citizenship to acquire another.
In this article, we will answer some of the most important questions about the number of citizenships you can have, the many ways citizenship can be obtained, and a comprehensive list of the countries that offer dual or multiple citizenship.
Can you have multiple citizenships?
Yes, you can get dual or multiple citizenship, depending on your native country. The answer to how many citizenships you can have depends on your native country’s laws and legislation and whether your country allows dual citizenship. If the laws of your original country permit you to hold more than one passport, you may be in luck as some countries may allow dual or multiple citizenship.
Therefore, there is no specific limit on the number of citizenships you may have. However, in practice, the laws and regulations in each country may vary. For example, countries like Singapore and India revoke citizens’ citizenship from their former country when they opt for dual citizenship.
How to Acquire Multiple Citizenships
The process of acquiring multiple citizenships varies from country to country. However, the following are some of the most simple ways to obtain your dual national status.
Citizenship by birth
You can get hold of your second citizenship if you are born in the country. This is known as citizenship by birth on the country’s territory (jus soli), followed by many countries worldwide. For example, the United States, Canada, and Latin American countries give citizenship to children born on their territory.
Countries like Australia, Germany, the United Kingdom, France, Ireland, New Zealand, and South Africa have modified the concept of jus soli, in which one of the parents needs to be a citizen of the country (jus sanguinis) or a legal permanent resident who has resided in the country for several years.
Citizenship by marriage
Citizenship by marriage is legally known as jus matrimonii, and some countries grant citizenship to the spouses of their citizens. If you marry someone native to that country, you can obtain a passport and citizenship.
For example, in the United States of America, the government gives the spouse of a citizen access to the Green Card. It offers citizenship three years after the date of marriage.
Similarly, a person can get UK citizenship if their spouse is already a citizen of the United Kingdom. However, to ensure the marriage is not fraud, the involved country is entitled to take any necessary legal steps for verification.
Citizenship by naturalization
This is among the most popular concepts for acquiring dual or multiple citizenship in a foreign country. You can obtain dual citizenship by naturalization if you are deemed a legal resident of the nation. Usually, a permanent resident living in the country for a particular period can opt for citizenship by naturalization.
The residing time of a permanent resident can vary from nation to nation. Based on the home country’s citizenship and naturalization laws, the naturalization process may take longer in other countries.
A permanent resident with a residence permit can apply for citizenship and hold dual nationality. For example, you can apply for Greek citizenship when you have lived in the country for seven years. In the United Kingdom, you can apply for British citizenship by naturalization after five years of lawful residence.
Citizenship by investment programs
Gaining citizenship through making investments is another way of acquiring multiple citizenship or dual nationality. Some countries encourage immigrants to make a significant monetary investment in the country.
Many countries in the European Union, such as Malta and Cyprus, give you access to European citizenship when you make considerable contributions through investments. In Malta, permanent residents must reside for a year before being given the status of an EU citizen.
Similarly, the five Caribbean countries—Antigua and Barbuda, Grenada, St Kitts, Nevis, St Lucia, and Dominica—also provide dual citizenship when you make consequential investments, giving you access to the citizenship of the respective regions falling under the Caribbean citizenship by investment programs.
When seeking multiple citizenship, you must check the rules in your country of origin to confirm if they allow holding citizenship in more than one country. Many countries permit individuals to obtain citizenship through investment programs, but the regulations vary. For example, countries like Vanuatu, Montenegro, Turkey, and Jordan offer paths to multiple citizenship through investment. However, permanent residents or immigrant investors must adhere to specific laws to gain this status.
Cambodia also allows investors to apply for citizenship, but they must be fluent in Khmer and knowledgeable about Cambodian history to qualify. Therefore, having multiple citizenships—including triple citizenship—offers many benefits, such as a diverse passport portfolio, visa-free travel, and other privileges in multiple countries. These pathways are popular among those looking to secure second citizenship or multiple nationalities for greater global mobility and benefits.
Country | Minimum Investment | Processing Time | Eligible Family Members |
 St. Kitts and Nevis | $250,000 | Four months | Spouse, children under 25, and parents over 65 |
 Grenada | $150,000 | Three to six months | Spouse, children under 30, parents, grandparents, and unmarried siblings over 18 |
 St. Lucia | $100,000 | Three to six months | Spouse, children under 30, parents and grandparents over 55, and unmarried siblings under 18 |
 Antigua and Barbuda | $100,000 | Three to six months | Spouse, children under 30, parents and grandparents over 55, and unmarried siblings |
 Dominica | $100,000 | Three to six months | Spouse, children under 30, parents and grandparents over 65 |
 Turkey | $400,000 | Four to six months | Spouse and children under 18 |
 Jordan | $750,000 | Three to six months | Spouse, unmarried children under 18, and parents |
 Vanuatu | $130,000 | 60 days | Spouse, children under 25, and parents and grandparents over 50 |
 Malta (citizenship by naturalization) | €690,000 | 12 to 36 months | Spouse, unmarried children under 20, parents over 55 |
How many citizenships can you have?
You can obtain as many citizenships as you want, provided each new passport allows for multiple citizenships and your original citizenship permits it. For many, gaining dual citizenship starts with analyzing their passport options and confirming if their country of origin allows it.
Choosing multiple foreign passports depends on personal needs and the specifics of each country’s laws. Understanding these laws will help determine the best path for you, as holding dual or triple citizenship can greatly expand your financial and personal freedoms. Keep in mind that you can opt for as many multiple or dual citizenships as you want based on your primary original citizenship.
This means that choosing to have a passport from more than one country needs to be an intentional process, and these are the things to consider when pursuing multiple citizenship:
Identify your needs
It is important to understand your needs before opting for dual citizenship or dual nationality. Consider all the major advantages a country’s citizenship can offer and make a choice for yourself. For example, if you are an EU citizen with American citizenship, get a second passport with less worldwide influence. Choosing a different country with less influence can help you create a diverse profile.
Individuals seeking countries with less tax liability and more tax benefits can opt for Caribbean citizenship. Likewise, people who want to travel can consider taking the dual national status of a country that offers benefits like visa-free travel.
For those who want to choose a country that will benefit their wealth and business ventures, looking at the regions offering citizenship by investment will be useful. This way, you can enjoy travel privileges while growing your business.
Diversification is the key
When individuals opt for diversification in their portfolio, they should be clear about the diversity they want to portray. One of the first or direct citizenships that you acquire is of your ancestors and family. So, ensure you get another permanent residency or dual nationality that helps you enjoy the benefits more. Diversifying one’s portfolio adds more to them than one’s immediate or direct citizenship.
For example, you may hold British citizenship and want to opt for dual citizenship in Portugal. Foreign nationals must understand the citizenship laws and rules before applying for dual nationality and settling on a second passport. The best way to find a solution is to think bigger and analyze the power each country’s citizenship can give you. To access the best perks, try to opt for a country with strengths and powers different from your home country.
However, there are a few pointers that you should keep in mind while analyzing the ways you can diversify your passport.
- Can the new country improve my situation, or will it aggravate it?
- What travel options will I get?
- Will I have greater financial or family security?
The passport portfolio strategy
While analyzing your passport portfolio strategy, as a dual citizen, you must choose the passports you will use in the future. It is important to build a passport portfolio to eradicate any obligations or strict rules you do not want to follow as a dual national.
Decide where you want to live
Dual citizenship opens many opportunities and living options. Dual citizens need to make the right choice regarding where they want to live. It would be best to ask yourself a few questions, such as which country you want to live in, whether you have experienced life in the new government, and whether you can see yourself living there.
If you are sure about residing in a new country and becoming a citizen over there, you can consider starting the process of applying for dual citizenship. You need to check that the country you want to reside in has the option of applying for dual nationality. Start the procedure by getting a residence permit, and then follow the state’s rules and regulations to lay the foundation of dual nationality.
6 Advantages of Multiple Citizenships
Expanded travel free
The biggest benefit for dual citizens is the second passport. Having more than one citizenship allows them to travel to more countries visa-free or get a visa on arrival. In some instances, it also lets them clear customs and immigration checkpoints faster. For example, a citizen of the United States who also holds a Grenada passport can enter New Zealand and Japan without a visa.
On the other hand, their Grenada passport would provide visa-free access to China. Dual passport holders can leverage their passports’ strengths for international travel when necessary.
More business and investment opportunities
Many countries have allowed multiple citizenships by enabling individuals to conduct business activities across several countries. This allows foreign nationals to select the country that best aligns with their financial objectives or offers a more favorable environment for investments and business operations. This can include economic stability, a lenient taxation system, and governmental support for new enterprises.
Civil liberties
Civil liberties encompass a variety of rights and assurances that governments pledge to uphold, whether through constitutional provisions, legislation, or judicial interpretation. As a result, dual citizenship grants extensive political rights and protections regardless of the passports of other countries the dual citizen might possess.
Dual citizens can vote in federal and local elections and participate in the civil and political life of both countries of citizenship. They are free to enter their country of citizenship at any given time without a re-entry permit or other conditions and limitations that governments impose on foreign citizens.
While a permanent resident and a dual national both enjoy the right to reside in a country indefinitely, in some countries, the legal citizen may also have the right to unrestricted property ownership that a permanent resident may not.
More healthcare options
A dual citizen has access to two healthcare systems and can choose the most advanced or specialized system for their needs. For instance, a US citizen with dual citizenship in Ireland can take advantage of Ireland’s free healthcare system instead of paying for comprehensive medical coverage in the United States.
More options for higher education
Dual citizens and their families have two advantages regarding higher education. Citizenship in two countries expands the options for universities and other types of advanced education, such as apprenticeships and special learning programs.
Additionally, studying in a foreign country as a foreign national includes higher tuition. Dual citizens pay the lowest tuition fees for higher education and can access national grants and funding schemes.
The possibility of reducing taxes
Depending on the countries involved, dual citizenship is often advantageous for tax purposes. For many foreign investors seeking alternative citizenship, the country’s income tax laws are a primary consideration when choosing a citizenship-by-investment program.
Some jurisdictions, such as the United Arab Emirates, Vanuatu, St. Kitts, and Nevis, impose no income taxes or exempt income taxes on citizens earning income overseas, making them attractive as countries of tax residence.
A common strategy expats use to lower income taxes is to acquire citizenship from a tax-friendly country where they are not required to pay taxes and benefit from tax exemptions provided to citizens with a second residence living outside their country of original citizenship.
Read our Complete Guide on Grenada Citizenship by Investment
The Disadvantages of Multiple Citizenships
While dual nationality offers numerous advantages, it is essential to acknowledge that having second citizenship may also entail certain drawbacks.
Complex process
Acquiring second citizenship or more may involve significant expenses and considerable time investment in collecting and processing the required documentation, particularly for ancestral citizenship.
Tax burdens
Having multiple nationalities may increase the tax burden unless the countries of citizenship have a double tax agreement. For example, the United States obliges US citizens with dual nationality to pay taxes, even if they have permanent residence in another country.
Multiple obligations
Citizenship has varying responsibilities from one country to another, a significant one being mandatory national service. Once they reach a specified maturity age, Brazilian, Singaporean, or Chinese citizens must adhere to their country’s enlistment laws. In other words, navigating laws and regulations is another disadvantage of obtaining multiple citizenships. Each country has specific rules; some may impose strict requirements or guidelines.
For instance, while many EU countries allow dual citizenship, the process can be stringent, and you must understand how each country’s nationality laws affect your status. Ensuring compliance is crucial to fully benefit from multiple citizenships and their advantages, such as freedom of movement within the EU.
Inheritance complications
The complexity of inheritance laws in different countries can significantly affect dual citizens. Possessing assets or property in two countries can lead to estate planning and succession complications. Each country may have its own rules and regulations regarding inheritance, including tax implications, distribution of assets, and procedures for probate.
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
Can you have multiple citizenships?
Yes, an individual can hold multiple citizenships, although the number of citizenships one can have depends on the rules and regulations of their home country.
For example, some countries, such as India and Singapore, do not permit their citizens to hold multiple citizenships.
In the United States, there is no restriction on the number of other citizenships a US citizen can possess.
Having dual citizenship, also known as dual nationality, means being a citizen of the United States and another country simultaneously. As a US citizen, you can naturalize in another country without jeopardizing your US citizenship.
What is the master nationality rule?
When an individual holds multiple nationalities, the master nation governs the provision of diplomatic assistance under international laws. For example, the UK government will not offer British citizens any assistance when they reside in a country where dual citizenship is not allowed.
How many citizenships is best for an individual?
Individuals can apply for multiple citizenship and dual citizenship for as many as they like and are allowed by their original home country. The number of multiple nationalities you can apply for depends on the country’s law and your choice.
If I have German citizenship, can I apply for Chinese citizenship?
A child born in Germany holds German citizen status. Also, if a child’s parent’s original nationality is German, they can apply for dual citizenship. A German citizen can lose their citizenship if they apply for another nationality. Foreigners can apply for Chinese citizenship while holding on to their original nationality. However, you cannot apply for other citizenship as a Chinese citizen.
Does the US allow multiple citizenship?
The United States allows dual (or even multiple) citizenship. As an American, you can become a citizen of as many countries in which you can find a path to citizenship, whether by descent, investment, regular naturalization or otherwise.
Can I have 3 citizenships in the USA?
You can hold citizenship in three countries or more in the US. The same rules and considerations for dual citizenship also apply to additional citizenships. However, it is advisable to verify with the respective countries the permissibility of multiple citizenships.
Which countries allow four citizenships?
Many countries allow dual citizenship/four citizenships to individuals. You need to go through the state laws declared by the countries to know this.
Can I have 4 passports?
Yes, you can have more than one passport as long as the laws of the countries involved allow it.
How many citizenships are available globally?
There are 195 citizenships worldwide that an individual can apply for. However, there are countries where you cannot apply for dual citizenship, such as Afghanistan, Indonesia, Maldives, Japan, Bahrain, Kiribati, North Korea, Monaco, China, Slovakia, San Marino, Nepal, Netherlands, Georgia, India, Malaysia, and more. To make an informed choice, check the country’s laws before applying for dual status.
Are there countries that don't allow multiple citizenships?
A few countries don’t allow their citizens to have dual status, including Japan, Singapore, and Malaysia.
Can I have more than one citizenship?
That will depend on whether your country of origin allows dual citizenship. If it does, you can have more than one citizenship.
How many citizenships can you have in Europe?
In Europe, there is no universal limit on the number of citizenships a person can have—it depends on each country’s laws. Some countries, like France, Italy, and the UK, allow multiple citizenships without a set limit, while others, like Germany and Austria, have restrictions or conditions. Always check the specific regulations of each country involved.
How do countries regulate multiple citizenships?
Countries regulate multiple citizenships based on their laws. These regulations are based on national security, integration, and diplomatic policies. Some of them include:
- Fully Allow: Some countries, like France and the UK, allow multiple citizenships without restrictions.
- Conditional Allowance: Countries like Germany and the Netherlands allow dual citizenship under specific conditions (e.g., EU citizens, special circumstances).
- Limited or Special Permission: Countries like Austria may allow multiple citizenships only with special permission.
- Not Allowed: Some countries, such as China and India, do not permit multiple citizenship and require renunciation of the original nationality.
Can you have multiple citizenships in the UK after Brexit?
Yes, you can have multiple citizenships in the UK after Brexit. The UK allows its citizens to hold dual or multiple citizenship so that dual nationals can be both British and citizens of another country simultaneously. Brexit did not alter the UK’s policy on this matter. However, it’s essential to check the other countries’ regulations, as their rules regarding dual or multiple citizenships might differ.
What is the easiest country to get multiple citizenships?
The ease of obtaining multiple citizenships varies by individual circumstances and each country’s specific regulations. However, due to their more flexible laws, some countries generally consider acquiring multiple citizenships easier. Here are a few examples:
- Portugal
- Italy
- Ireland
- Canada
How many nationalities can a person have?
There is no universal limit to how many nationalities a person can have; it depends on the laws of each country involved. Some countries allow multiple citizenships without restrictions, while others limit or prohibit them. Theoretically, a person can hold several nationalities if each country permits it and their laws are compatible.
