Is it Possible to Have Triple Citizenship?

Is it possible to hold multiple citizenships? Many people want to expand their freedom and reduce their reliance on just one country by obtaining dual or triple citizenship.

But what does triple citizenship mean? In simple terms, triple citizenship is when someone holds citizenship in three countries at the same time. It allows them to access the rights and benefits of each country but may come with added legal, tax, and travel responsibilities depending on the countries’ laws.

In this guide, we will explore the concept of triple citizenship and how obtaining more than one passport is possible. We will cover:

• Is triple citizenship possible?
• How many citizenships can you have?
• Understanding Dual Citizenship
• Countries that Allow Triple Citizenship
• How can you obtain multiple citizenships?
• How to obtain multiple citizenships through Golden Visas
• Advantages of Triple Citizenship
• Things to be Cautious about When Obtaining Another Citizenship
• Triple Citizenship with Passport Tiers
• Possible Triple Citizenship Combinations

Is triple citizenship possible?

Yes, it is possible to hold citizenship in three countries. Many countries allow triple citizenship. However, it comes with added legal and logistical complexities. This means it’s essential to check the laws of all involved countries and consult with legal experts to understand the implications and manage the obligations effectively.

How many citizenships can you have?

The number of citizenships a person can hold depends on the citizenship laws of each country involved. Some countries grant citizenship and allow unlimited dual or multiple citizenships, meaning you can be a citizen of several countries at once without restrictions. In contrast, other countries may permit dual nationals only under specific conditions, such as acquiring a foreign passport through birth, marriage, or naturalization in certain circumstances. It’s important to note that some countries only allow one citizenship, meaning if you become a citizen of a foreign country, you may need to renounce your original citizenship.

Understanding Dual Citizenship

It is vital to understand dual citizenship before getting into the possibilities and disadvantages of triple citizenship.

Dual citizenship, also known as dual nationality, is the status of being a citizen of two countries simultaneously. This means a person with dual citizenship has legal rights and obligations in both countries. For example, a person with US and Canadian citizenship has the rights and responsibilities of both American and Canadian citizens.

However, some countries do not allow dual citizenship and may require an individual to renounce their original citizenship when naturalizing as a citizen of another country. For example, China and India generally do not permit dual citizenship.

Countries that Allow Triple Citizenship

If you have wondered how many citizenships you can have, here is a list of countries allowing dual or multiple citizenship (two or more). Please note that the list is not exhaustive.

Europe

• Belgium: Dual citizenship for Belgian citizens by birthright
• Croatia: Dual citizenship for Croatian citizens by birthright
• Denmark: Dual citizenship
• Finland: Multiple citizenships
• France: Multiple citizenships
• Germany: Dual citizenship for German citizens by birthright
• Greece: Multiple citizenships
• Hungary: Dual citizenship
• Iceland: Dual citizenship
• Ireland: Dual citizenship
• Italy: Multiple citizenships
• Luxembourg: Multiple citizenships
• Malta: Multiple citizenships
• Netherland: Dual citizenship for individuals married to a Dutch citizen
• Portugal: Dual citizenship
• Serbia: Dual citizenship
• Slovakia: Dual citizenship for Slovakian citizens by birthright and individuals married to a Slovakian citizen
• Spain: Dual citizenship for citizens of Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea, Portugal, and all Latin American countries
• United Kingdom: Multiple citizenships

North America

• Canada: Multiple citizenships
• Mexico: Dual citizenship for Mexican citizens by birthright
• United States: Multiple citizenships

Caribbean

• Barbados: Dual citizenship
• Belize: Dual citizenship
• Jamaica: Multiple citizenships
• Antigua and Barbuda: Multiple citizenships
• Dominica: Multiple citizenships
• St Kitts and Nevis: Multiple citizenships
• Grenada: Multiple citizenships
• Saint Lucia: Multiple citizenships
• Saint Vincent and the Grenadines: Multiple citizenships

Central America

• Costa Rica: Dual citizenship
• El Salvador: Dual citizenship for El Salvadorian citizens by birthright
• Belize: Dual citizenship
• Panama: Dual citizenship

South America

• Argentina: Dual citizenship is limited to Spanish and Italian citizenship only
• Bolivia: Dual citizenship
• Brazil: Multiple citizenships
• Chile: Dual citizenship
• Colombia: Dual citizenship
• Ecuador: Dual citizenships
• Peru: Dual citizenship
• Uruguay: Dual citizenship for Uruguayan citizens by birthright

Africa

• Egypt: Dual citizenship
• Ghana: Dual citizenship
• Kenya: Dual citizenship for Kenyan citizens by birthright
• Morocco: Dual citizenship but requires permission from the government
• Nigeria: Dual citizenships
• South Africa: Dual citizenship for Uruguayan citizens by birthright

Middle East

• Israel: Dual citizenship for Israeli citizens by birthright
• Turkey: Multiple citizenships
• United Arab Emirates: Dual citizenship for foreigners

Asia

• Philippines: Dual citizenship for natural-born Filipinos
• Oceania
• Australia: Multiple citizenships
• New Zealand: Dual citizenship

The terminology for multiple citizenships may vary from country to country. If you’re seeking second citizenship, ensure the citizenship and naturalization laws allow dual nationality.

How can you obtain multiple citizenships?

There are many ways to become a holder of multiple citizenships, but the possibilities depend on each country’s laws. Here are some of the most common methods for acquiring one or more passports.

Birthright Citizenship (Jus Soli)

Birthright citizenship is one of the most common ways for a person born in a country to obtain citizenship automatically. It is granted to anyone born on the country’s soil, regardless of their parent’s nationality.

Descent (Jus Sanguinis)

Citizenship by descent allows individuals to gain citizenship through their ancestors. It’s a popular way to obtain dual or multiple citizenship.

To qualify, you generally need to prove:

• Direct lineage from the country’s nationals
• Ancestral documents like birth or marriage certificates

Countries offering citizenship by descent include Italy (with no generational limit), Ireland (for those with an Irish grandparent), and others like Poland, Hungary, Germany, and Greece, all with varying conditions. Many of these countries also allow dual citizenship.

Naturalization

Citizenship by naturalization allows foreign nationals to become citizens after meeting residency, language, and other requirements. This involves living in a country for five to ten years, with continuous residency and limited time spent abroad, usually three to six months per year.

Retirement visas, offered by countries like Portugal, Thailand, and Spain, can be a path to naturalization. After meeting residency criteria, retirees may apply for citizenship and potentially dual citizenship.

Marriage

Citizenship by marriage, or naturalization through marriage, allows a foreign spouse to apply for a second passport by meeting specific requirements. Many countries require the couple to be married for a certain time before the foreign spouse can apply. Additionally, most countries have residency requirements, ranging from one to five years, before applying for citizenship.

Investment

Some of the countries with attractive citizenship by investment schemes include:  

Advantages of Triple Citizenship

More travel access

Triple citizenship makes traveling easier by giving you access to more countries without needing a visa. For example, even though a US passport is powerful, it may have restrictions in certain places. Having a third passport from a neutral country, like Antigua and Barbuda, can help you visit countries like Cuba or Russia without a visa. This added flexibility makes triple citizenship an excellent choice for frequent travelers.

Freedom of movement

Dual or triple citizenship gives you the freedom to live, work, and travel in multiple countries without needing visas or special permits. This ease of movement opens up more opportunities for personal and professional growth. It also gives you access to benefits like healthcare, education, and social services in different countries.

Investment opportunities

Investors and expats want to grow and protect their wealth, and having just one citizenship can limit opportunities. Getting another citizenship, especially from a stable country, can open up better investment options and allow easier international business without extra taxes or fees.

Property ownership

Some countries may restrict property ownership to citizens or offer better rights to citizens when purchasing property. With triple citizenship, you could own property in all three countries.

Inheritance and succession rights

Triple citizenship can make inheritance easier by letting you take advantage of better tax rates or legal protections in different countries.

Things to be Cautious about When Obtaining Another Citizenship

While there are many benefits to getting a second passport, there are also a few things to be aware of when decising to obtain multiple citizenships.

1. Understand the tax obligations in both your home country and the new country, as some may tax your global income. For instance, some countries, like the U.S., tax their citizens even if they’re living abroad. Understanding how your home country and the new country tax income, inheritance, or other assets is important to avoid double taxation.

2. Be aware that some countries require you to renounce your original citizenship when acquiring a new one. If you are required to forfeit your passport, it can affect your rights, such as voting or holding certain government positions in your home country.

3. Check if mandatory military service applies to dual citizens in the new country.

4. Understand the legal process involved, which can be complicated and expensive, with strict residency or documentation requirements.

5. Know the travel restrictions that may come with dual citizenship. Some nations may impose restrictions on citizens with multiple nationalities, affecting your ability to enter or stay in those countries without a visa or additional approval.

How to Obtain Multiple Citizenships Through Golden Visas 

Golden Visas also offer residency and potential citizenship in exchange for a significant financial investment, such as real estate, government bonds, or job creation. These programs are attractive for their flexibility because they allow investors to maintain residency without needing to relocate fully.

These are some of the most well-known Golden Visas in the world:

Portugal

Portugal Golden Visa offers a few investment options. The country no longer accepts the purchase of real estate or real estate-related funding as an investment. However, a minimum investment of €250,000 in a business, cultural and artistic donations, or investing in scientific research institutes are still viable options. The residency requirement is seven days in the first year and 14 days in subsequent two-year periods. After five years of legal residency, applicants can apply for permanent residency or citizenship. 

Spain

The Spain Golden Visa also has a few investment options, but an investment of €500,000 in real estate is required. There are no specific physical presence requirements, but continuous legal residence of ten years is necessary for citizenship. However, this program is set to end on 3 April 2025.

Greece

The Greece Golden Visa has a minimum real estate investment requirement of €250,000. Similar to Spain, there is no specific requirement for physical presence, but continuous legal residence of seven years is needed to qualify for citizenship.

Cyprus

The Cyprus Golden Visa requires a minimum real estate investment of €300,000. While residents are not required to reside in Cyprus, applicants must visit the country at least once every two years to maintain their residency status. After seven years of continuous legal residence, individuals may be eligible to apply for citizenship, provided they meet additional criteria.

Serbia

The Serbia residency by investment program grants residency through real estate purchases and is designed to attract foreign nationals who wish to live and work in the country. There is no minimum amount required for the investment. Still, investors can only buy certain real estate types, such as apartments, residential buildings, and business premises, if they perform business activities in Serbia. Permanent residence is possible after five years of residency. 

Hungary

The Hungarian Golden Visa Program, officially known as the Guest Investor Program (GIP), was reintroduced on July 1, 2024. This program allows non–EU and non–EEA citizens to obtain long–term residency in Hungary by investing at least €250,000 in real estate. Applicants can apply for citizenship after eight years of residency. 

Latvia

The Latvia Golden Visa program is designed for non-EU citizens looking to establish residency in Europe. It’s ideal for investors, entrepreneurs, and high-net-worth individuals who want the benefits of living in the EU, including easy access to the Schengen Zone for travel across multiple European countries. This program also requires a minimum investment of €250,000 in real estate and €50,000 in a business. To get permanent residency, you need to maintain legal residence for five years and spend a minimum of 183 days a year in the country, 

Triple Citizenship with Passport Tiers

Tiers group nations’ passports into three levels based on factors like visa-free travel access, entry to restricted countries, economic stability, and the global mobility they provide. A passport’s ranking reflects its travel privileges rather than the benefits of the citizenship itself.

When you acquire triple citizenship, you want to add a variety of passports to your portfolio that allow visa-free travel to more than one country. While travel is essential for a passport portfolio, you should also consider income tax, national and foreign policies, diversification options, and banking and investment opportunities. 

Balancing triple citizenship with passport tiers can be difficult, but ideally, you should choose a passport from each tier to maximize your benefits. Global Citizen Solutions has developed a Global Passport Index beyond simple mobility. The ranking also includes investment opportunities and quality of life, variables we believe are important in measuring the true value of a passport.

What would be the best triple citizenship combination?

An example of a strong triple citizenship combination could include a passport from an EU country, a Caribbean nation, and a global business hub like the US or UAE. The EU passport allows you to live, work, and travel freely in 27 European countries and access excellent healthcare and education.

A Caribbean passport, such as one from Antigua and Barbuda, provides visa-free travel to many countries and tax benefits, such as no income tax.

Finally, a business focused passport, like one from the US or UAE, opens opportunities for global business, access to top markets, and advanced services. This combination of passports provides extensive travel opportunities, financial advantages, and access to international global markets and resources.

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 Triple Citizenship

Can you have triple citizenship?

Yes, you may hold citizenship in three countries. Achieving multiple citizenship typically involves meeting specific requirements set forth by each country involved. These requirements may include residency periods, investments, language proficiency, cultural knowledge, and, in some cases, renouncing previous citizenships.

Can you have four citizenships?

Yes, some countries that allow citizens to have four citizenships are the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Malta, Finland, Turkey, and Antigua and Barbuda.

Can you hold three citizenships?

You can hold citizenship in three countries. However, similar rules apply to dual citizenship. Not every country allows for multiple citizenships, so verifying whether your home country permits triple citizenship is crucial. For example, Estonia requires citizens to give up their passports if they acquire a second citizenship, whereas the United States permits citizens to have multiple passports.

Can I have three citizenships in Australia?

Yes, you can hold triple multiple citizenship status in Australia. Australian immigration law states explicitly that Australian citizens may also hold the citizenship of another country or countries if the laws of those countries allow it.

How many citizenships can you have?

When it comes to how many citizenships you can have,
it depends on the laws of the countries involved. Some countries allow dual or multiple citizenship, meaning a person can hold citizenship of more than one country simultaneously. Other countries may have restrictions or may not allow dual citizenship at all.

Can children automatically receive triple citizenship if their parents have it?

Children can automatically receive triple citizenship if their parents have it, but it depends on the laws of the countries involved. A child can inherit triple citizenship if all three countries allow multiple citizenship and grant citizenship by descent. Factors like the parents’ nationalities, countries’ policies, and registration requirements all play a role.

Do I have to pay taxes in all countries if I have triple citizenship?

With triple citizenship, you may need to pay taxes in all three countries, depending on their tax laws. Some countries tax based on residency, while others, like the US, tax citizens on worldwide income. Double taxation agreements can help prevent being taxed twice on the same income. Always consult a tax professional to understand your specific obligations.

Can you lose your U.S. citizenship if you acquire a third nationality?

No, you generally do not lose your US citizenship if you acquire a third nationality. The United States allows its citizens to hold dual or multiple citizenships. However, you must intend to keep your US citizenship when acquiring another nationality. Voluntarily renouncing US citizenship, committing certain acts like serving in a foreign military, or holding a foreign government position could lead to losing citizenship, but acquiring a third nationality alone does not.

Which countries allow triple citizenship?

Many countries allow triple citizenship, depending on their specific laws and policies regarding multiple nationalities. Here are five well-known countries that permit triple citizenship:

1. Canada
2. United Kingdom
3. France
4. Australia
5. Switzerland

Does the U.S allow triple citizenship?

Yes, the U.S. allows triple citizenship, as it does not require individuals to renounce other citizenships when acquiring U.S. citizenship. However, the U.S. expects citizens to adhere to U.S. laws, including tax obligations, even if they hold multiple passports. This means while the U.S. recognizes multiple citizenships, there can still be legal and tax implications that need to be considered.

Does canada allow triple citizenship?

Canada allows you to have multiple citizenships while keeping your Canadian citizenship. However, not all countries do allow this. Some countries may even consider it illegal for you to have another citizenship