Dual Citizenship: What it is and How to Become a Dual Citizen in 2024

Dual citizenship is a legal status that allows a person to be a citizen in two or more different countries. This is not available in every nation but there are many paths to gaining an additional passport.

This means that if the country you are born in grants citizenship automatically by jus soli (right of soil), and at the same time your parents hold foreign citizenship in a country practicing jus sanguinis (right of blood), you may be eligible for dual citizenship and two passports.

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

• What is dual citizenship?
• How to get dual citizenship
• Advantages of dual citizenship
• Countries that allow dual citizenship and more.

What is dual citizenship?

Dual citizenship, often called second citizenship, refers to the citizenship of a person legally recognized as a citizen of two or more different countries. This scenario arises as some countries have differing criteria for citizenship. 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.

However, not all countries allow dual citizenship, and if you inform your home country’s government of your desire to apply for dual citizenship, your request may be denied. You could also lose certain benefits or citizenship rights, such as land ownership or political rights. In these scenarios, you could be forced to renounce your citizenship or give up citizenship in another country.

Dual Citizenship versus Dual Nationality: What's the difference?

Dual citizenship and dual nationality are often used interchangeably, but there is a subtle distinction between the two terms. 

How to Get Dual Citizenship

Many countries have different rules, but you can generally request dual citizenship if both countries accept it. In other words, provided your home country recognizes dual citizenship and the new country where you plan to gain citizenship, you can legally acquire dual citizenship status.

By birthright

Dual nationality through citizenship by birthright is one of the most common ways people become dual citizens. Individuals who gain British citizenship by naturalization but were born in the United States would be considered British citizens and US citizens, as the United States Constitution declares that any individual born on US soil is a US citizen at birth.

By descent

Many people have claimed dual nationality by descent through a family member who has a foreign nationality. This practice is known as jus sanguinis, where the right to citizenship is based on the citizenship of blood relations in the direct line. 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 nationality.

By naturalization

Suppose you’re a citizen of a country, but you live in another country with permanent resident status. In that case, your permanent residency and the time you’ve lived in the country may fulfill the country’s laws for granting citizenship by naturalization. Once you’ve acquired the other citizenship, you become a dual citizen.

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.

Reclaiming citizenship

In years past, many individuals saw their citizenship revoked due to war or discriminatory immigration laws based on religion, politics, and gender. Several countries have amended arbitrary nationality laws, allowing former citizens to reclaim their citizenship and acquire dual citizen status.

This applies to countries like Germany, where a recent amendment has allowed former German nationals who lost their citizenship on political, racial, or religious grounds between 30 January 1933 and 8 May 1945 to apply for the restoration of their citizenship.

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 dual nationality by investing in a country’s economy.

Citizenship by investment is a legitimate option for those seeking multiple citizenship, with the new country’s passport granted in as little as two months. Additionally, the eligibility requirements for citizenship by investment programs don’t include speaking the national language or obtaining permanent resident status with years of residency.

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. 

Vanuatu’s 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 one of the most significant advantages is holding multiple passports. Here are some of the key benefits of dual citizenship:

1. A plan B

Dual nationality has the power to hold foreign nationality and have a plan B passport. This provides rights and privileges in two countries, opening up the options for places to live, work, and study. You can completely immerse yourself in a second culture, not as an outsider, but as an acknowledged member of that society. Dual citizenship enables you to fully engage with both countries’ traditions, languages, and customs, nurturing a profound sense of belonging and acceptance.

2. Travel freedom

Gaining a second passport ranking high on the Global Passport Index increases travel freedom and flexibility. Dual nationality and two passports allow increased visa-free access or visa-on-arrival options, allowing greater exploration and experiences in different parts of the world without restrictions or lengthy visa processes.

For example, a Caribbean passport, like a Grenadian passport, offers visa-free travel to China, whereas US citizens require a visa. EU passports provide freedom of movement throughout the European Union and extensive visa-free access to destinations worldwide.

3. Safety

A foreign passport could prove invaluable during political turmoil, social unrest, or unexpected crises. Should the situation in your home country deteriorate, dual citizenship offers consular protection and the option to seek refuge in a safer country without enduring the bureaucracy of immigration services and procedures.

4. Financial opportunities

Two passports can expand the door to investing in lucrative international investments and global markets. Dual nationality can empower investors to establish and grow their businesses in countries, providing taxpayers with advantageous tax regimes or incentives.

Countries like Cambodia and the UAE restrict foreign individuals from owning property or land. Many foreign governments also limit foreign property ownership to designated areas. Dual citizenship in these countries lifts these limitations, directly increasing investment opportunities.

5. Family protection

Dual nationality provides you and your family with added protection. Multiple citizenship status can guarantee access to healthcare, education, and legal protections in another nation that only citizens have the right to, offering a safety net and peace of mind for the future.

6. Privacy

Dual citizenship can contribute to enhanced privacy and personal freedom. Secondary nationals with alternative passports diversify their identities, mitigating risks tied to depending solely on one passport and the potential vulnerabilities they may come with.

Dual passport holders can conduct business with greater discretion through gateways to countries with more robust privacy regulations and financial systems, ensuring the protection of personal information and financial assets.

Increased privacy and freedom empower dual citizens to navigate international matters with increased independence and guarantee the confidentiality of their personal and financial affairs.

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 also does not prevent US citizens from obtaining citizenship in another country.

This means that 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. US immigration law does not address dual nationality or impose restrictions on dual citizenship.

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 State. 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 US citizenship-based 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, citizens and residents can be double-taxed.

The United States Supreme Court has stated that dual nationality is “a status long recognized in the law” and that “a person may have and exercise rights of nationality in two countries and be subject to the responsibilities of both.

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 US Dual Citizenship

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 US dual citizenship.

Changing Dual Nationality Laws

While not all countries permit dual citizenship, an increasing number are becoming receptive to allowing their citizens to hold multiple citizenship. Previously, South Africans were required to gain prior permission to become secondary nationals by applying to retain South African citizenship. This was until a High Court decision deemed the rule unconstitutional in June 2023, as South African citizens automatically lost their birth citizenship when acquiring citizenship in another country.

Naturalized citizens of Germany had to renounce their original citizenship, as well as those held from any other country before they could acquire German citizenship. However, in August 2023, the German federal government endorsed a proposed law granting new German citizens the ability to retain their original citizenship and obtain dual nationality, subject to final review.

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

Is dual citizenship recognized in the US?

The United States does not formally recognize dual citizenship, but it does not prohibit US citizens from obtaining citizenship in two countries. This means US nationals can obtain dual or triple citizenship without losing their US citizenship.

What is the process of second 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 become a dual citizen by investment

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

Any downsides to dual citizenship?

There are more pros than cons of dual citizenship. However, the drawbacks of holding dual citizenship will depend on which two countries hold citizenship.

For example, the United States imposes citizenship-based taxation, meaning US citizens owe taxes to the US government, regardless of their second citizenship or permanent residents of another country.

Obtaining dual citizenship in certain countries may also come with the risk of mandatory military service.

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.

Does dual citizenship last forever?

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.

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.

What is an example of multiple citizenship?

An example of multiple citizenship is a person born in the United States who acquired US citizenship by birthright, obtained Canadian citizenship after becoming a permanent resident, and claimed Italian citizenship through descent from an Italian grandparent.

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 give my American-born child dual citizenship?

Yes, you can potentially give your American-born child dual citizenship if you yourself have dual citizenship, depending on the laws of the countries involved. The United States allows dual citizenship, so being born in the US typically grants the child U.S. citizenship automatically, based on the principle of “jus soli” (right of the soil). For the other part of their dual citizenship, it would depend on the other country’s laws that you, the parent, are a citizen of.

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.

Is dual citizenship good or bad?

Dual citizenship has several advantages. These include increased travel and residency options, access to social benefits and services, and economic opportunities. Ultimately, whether dual citizenship is considered good or bad depends on individual circumstances and priorities. For some people, the benefits of dual citizenship outweigh the drawbacks, while others may prefer to maintain allegiance to a single country.