Curious about how many citizenships you can hold? While some countries allow multiple citizenships freely, others restrict or limit this option. Discover the rules for popular nations, plus the benefits and drawbacks of holding multiple passports.
October 18, 2024
By: Bobby Casey, Managing Director GWP
You might have heard about people having dual citizenship, and this has you thinking: How many citizenships can you have? Is it possible to be a literal citizen of the world?
If you want to explore your possibilities, then keep reading. We’ll explore the topic of citizenship so you know what options are available and how you can achieve them.
How Many Citizenships Can You Have?
The number of citizenships you can have really depends on where you were born and which countries you’re interested in obtaining citizenship from.
Generally speaking, if a country allows dual or multiple citizenships, then there’s no limit, and this means it’s the same answer to the question, “How many passports can you have?” For example, the United States allows you to have as many nationalities as you want, so you can obtain as many passports as you’d like as well.
Other countries that allow you to hold multiple citizenships include:
- Canada
- Germany
- France
- Italy
- Other European Union countries
Basically, if you seek citizenship in these countries, you can do so without losing your original one. Plus, if you wish, you can acquire as many citizenships as you want, as there’s no maximum amount listed.
Holding multiple passports does come with pros and cons though. To find out more, schedule a private consultation with us to ensure maximum asset protection before acquiring multiple citizenship.
Germany and Norway
Prior to June 27, 2024, Germany didn’t allow dual citizenship except in special cases (such as EU nationals or individuals who couldn’t renounce their original nationality). However, as of that date, the country allows it for both its citizens and foreign residents, as long as the other country does too.
Norway didn’t allow dual citizenship either, at least not until January 2020. Before that, Norwegians automatically lost their citizenship if they became citizens of another country. In addition, naturalized citizens had to renounce their former nationalities.
Countries That Restrict Multiple Citizenships
With that said, there are countries that don’t allow their citizens to hold multiple citizenships. That, or they have certain restrictions on doing so. Here are some specific examples and their restrictions.
Japan
In Japan, you’re allowed to have dual nationality, usually through birth or descent. That may sound nice in theory, but unfortunately, you have to choose just one citizenship by the time you turn 22 if you had multiple citizenship before you turned 20. If you were over the age of 18 when acquiring them, then you must choose one nationality within two years.
If you don’t opt for one citizenship by that time, it could lead to the loss of your Japanese citizenship. While this rule isn’t always strictly enforced, we wouldn’t gamble with something this serious.
If you’re a naturalized citizen, in most cases, you’ll have to renounce your former citizenship. There are a few exceptions though.
China
China strictly prohibits dual citizenship. If you’re a Chinese national and you acquire foreign citizenship, then you’ll automatically lose your Chinese citizenship.
This rule is strictly enforced. The Chinese government doesn’t recognize any rights or obligations of Chinese citizens who hold foreign passports.
Singapore
Like Japan, Singapore allows dual citizenship at birth. However, it’s the same situation in that you have to choose one citizenship by the time you’re 22. If you don’t, you’ll automatically lose your Singaporean citizenship.
Do note that Singaporean men are required to fulfill compulsory national service. This may be a factor in the government’s insistence on the renunciation of foreign citizenship.
India
India doesn’t allow dual citizenship; Indian citizens who acquire foreign citizenship will automatically lose their Indian citizenship.
What’s interesting is that India offers an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card. You’ll get many benefits similar to citizenship (such as visa-free entry and residency rights), but you won’t have political rights like voting. Also, the OCI card doesn’t extend to defense sector jobs or rights to buy agricultural land.
Netherlands
In general, the Netherlands doesn’t allow dual citizenship since the government wants to limit it as much as possible. So if you get Dutch citizenship, you’ll have to renounce citizenship of your original country, and vice versa as well.
Of course, there are exceptions; for example, if you get married to a Dutch citizen or it’s impossible to renounce your other nationality, you can have dual citizenship.
And if you’re born with dual nationality, you can keep both. However, if you live outside the Netherlands for an extended period, you must decide which citizenship you want to keep by the age of 28.
Austria
Austria prohibits dual citizenship, which means that you’ll automatically lose your Austrian nationality if you get another citizenship. Naturalized citizens also have to renounce their previous nationality.
The exception is if you’re born with dual nationality. If renouncing your original citizenship is extremely difficult or impossible, then an exception’s made here too. You must apply to retain your Austrian citizenship and get approval before acquiring foreign citizenship.
Saudi Arabia
Dual citizenship in Saudi Arabia isn’t allowed, and there are very few exceptions. Those are usually based on the discretion of the Saudi king. If you acquire foreign citizenship, you’re required to inform the Saudi government, and typically, you’ll lose your Saudi nationality.
However, you can automatically get dual citizenship if you’re born with it. In addition, Saudi women who marry foreigners can retain their Saudi Arabian citizenship if their husbands’ home countries allow it.
Unlock the World With Multiple Citizenship
So how many citizenships can you have? The answer is as many as you want, as long as your country of origin allows it.
Before you apply for or acquire another citizenship, it’s best to check with your local government first. Without taking the proper steps, you may be risking the loss of one or both citizenships, so do your due diligence to avoid disappointment and dire consequences.
Contact us now if you’re interested in multiple passports and financial protection across the globe. We at Global Wealth Protection can help you keep your money safe wherever you go.
