Countries That Allow Dual Citizenship: Complete 2026 List

Before investing in a second passport, every applicant must answer a threshold question: does my home country allow dual citizenship? The answer determines whether acquiring a CBI passport is straightforward or whether it triggers renunciation obligations, criminal penalties, or loss of existing nationality.

Countries That Fully Allow Dual Citizenship

The majority of countries permit their citizens to hold multiple nationalities without restriction. Notable examples include:

Europe

• United Kingdom: No restrictions on dual citizenship
• France: Fully permits multiple nationalities
• Germany: Permits dual citizenship since June 2024 (previously restricted)
• Italy: No restrictions; also grants citizenship by descent going back generations
• Ireland: No restrictions
• Portugal: No restrictions
• Spain: Restricted to nationals of specific countries (Latin American, Portuguese, Andorran, Filipino, Equatorial Guinean nationals can hold dual; others must renounce)
• Switzerland: Fully permits since 1992
• Belgium: Fully permits since 2008
• Sweden: Fully permits since 2001
• Greece: Permits for those of Greek descent; others by ministerial discretion
• Poland: Permits dual citizenship (though Poland considers dual nationals as Polish citizens only within Poland)
• Hungary: Fully permits
• Czech Republic: Fully permits since 2014
• Romania: Fully permits

Americas

• United States: Permits dual citizenship (though the government does not formally encourage it)
• Canada: Fully permits
• Brazil: Permits dual citizenship in most circumstances
• Mexico: Permits since 1998
• Colombia: Fully permits
• Argentina: Fully permits
• Chile: Permits
• Peru: Permits

Asia-Pacific

• Australia: Fully permits since 2002
• New Zealand: Fully permits
• Philippines: Permits for natural-born Filipinos (RA 9225)
• Pakistan: Permits with specific countries
• Bangladesh: Permits (with some restrictions)
• South Korea: Restricted — permits only in limited circumstances (special merits, elderly returnees)

Middle East & Africa

• Israel: Permits dual citizenship
• South Africa: Permits but requires prior approval from the Department of Home Affairs
• Nigeria: Permits
• Egypt: Permits (with government notification)
• Morocco: Permits
• Lebanon: Permits
• Turkey: Fully permits

Countries That Prohibit or Restrict Dual Citizenship

These countries either automatically revoke citizenship upon acquisition of another nationality or impose penalties:

Strict Prohibition

• China: Article 3 of the Nationality Law states that China does not recognise dual nationality. Acquiring foreign citizenship results in automatic loss of Chinese nationality. In practice, enforcement is increasing — Chinese authorities have begun checking passport records at border control.

• India: The Citizenship Act 1955 (as amended) does not permit dual citizenship. Acquiring foreign citizenship results in automatic termination of Indian citizenship. India offers Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI), which provides visa-free travel and limited residency rights but is not citizenship.

• Singapore: The Constitution of Singapore does not allow dual citizenship. Male citizens who acquire foreign citizenship lose Singaporean nationality and may face National Service obligations. Enforcement is strict.

• UAE: The UAE does not recognise dual nationality for Emirati citizens. Acquiring foreign citizenship without authorisation can result in loss of UAE nationality under Federal Law No. 17 of 1972.

• Japan: Article 11 of the Japanese Nationality Act provides that Japanese nationals who voluntarily acquire another nationality lose Japanese nationality. Japan requires citizens to choose one nationality by age 22 (though enforcement has historically been limited, it is tightening).

• Saudi Arabia: Saudi Arabia prohibits dual citizenship. Acquiring foreign nationality without authorisation can result in revocation of Saudi citizenship by Royal Decree.

• Myanmar: Does not permit dual citizenship under the Constitution.

• Nepal: Prohibits dual citizenship under Article 11 of the Constitution.

Conditional or Partially Restricted

• Austria: Generally prohibits dual citizenship but grants exceptions by application (particularly for prominent individuals or those who would suffer hardship from renunciation)

• Netherlands: Dutch citizens who voluntarily acquire another nationality automatically lose Dutch citizenship (with exceptions for those married to Dutch nationals, those born in the other country, or residents of the other country)

• Germany (pre-June 2024): Previously restricted dual citizenship for naturalised citizens, though reforms in June 2024 now fully permit it

• South Korea: Limited dual citizenship for specific categories (elderly overseas Koreans, foreign spouses, individuals with special merit)

• Indonesia: Does not permit dual citizenship for adults. Children of mixed-nationality parents can hold dual citizenship until age 18.

• Thailand: Thai law does not explicitly prohibit dual citizenship, but the Nationality Act creates ambiguity. In practice, Thailand generally tolerates dual nationality but does not formally recognise it.

Implications for CBI Applicants

If Your Country Prohibits Dual Citizenship

Applicants from countries that prohibit dual citizenship face a choice:

1. Acquire CBI citizenship secretly: Risky. If discovered, this can result in loss of original citizenship, criminal penalties, or both. China and India are increasingly monitoring passport acquisitions.

2. Renounce original citizenship first: Eliminates the legal risk but creates a permanent change in status. For Chinese and Indian nationals, this means losing the right to return on a national passport.

3. Use CBI citizenship only for specific purposes: Some applicants acquire CBI citizenship for travel purposes while attempting to maintain their original nationality. This is legally precarious.

4. Obtain residency instead of citizenship: Many CBI jurisdictions also offer residency programmes that do not trigger dual citizenship issues.

Tax Implications of Dual Citizenship

Dual citizenship can create tax obligations in both countries:

• US citizens are taxed on worldwide income regardless of where they live. Acquiring US citizenship (or even holding a US green card) creates global tax filing obligations.
• Eritrean citizens are subject to a 2% diaspora tax on worldwide income, regardless of residence.
• Most other countries tax based on residence, not citizenship. Acquiring a Caribbean CBI passport, for example, does not create tax obligations in the Caribbean country (unless you become tax resident there).

Banking and Compliance

Holding dual citizenship can affect banking relationships:

• Some banks require disclosure of all nationalities held
• Certain CBI nationalities trigger enhanced due diligence
• US citizenship or tax residency triggers FATCA reporting by all foreign banks worldwide
• CRS (Common Reporting Standard) exchanges information based on tax residency, not citizenship

Recent Changes

Notable recent developments:

• Germany (June 2024): Removed restrictions on dual citizenship for naturalised citizens — a major liberalisation affecting millions
• Netherlands: Continued restrictions, with periodic political debate about reform
• Japan: Increasing enforcement of the single-nationality requirement, particularly for naturalised citizens
• China: Growing enforcement through digital border control systems
• India: Introduction of improved OCI benefits as an alternative to dual citizenship

Key Takeaways

• Most countries (approximately 75% of UN member states) permit some form of dual citizenship
• China, India, Singapore, Japan, UAE, and Saudi Arabia are the most significant countries that prohibit dual citizenship — collectively representing over 3 billion people
• Before investing in any CBI programme, verify your home country's dual citizenship laws and enforcement practice
• The legal consequences of acquiring CBI citizenship while holding a nationality that prohibits it range from loss of original citizenship to criminal penalties
• Germany's June 2024 reform removing dual citizenship restrictions was the most significant recent liberalisation, affecting the world's fourth-largest economy
• US citizenship creates global tax obligations — acquiring US nationality through any route carries permanent tax reporting consequences
• For nationals of countries that prohibit dual citizenship, residency-by-investment programmes may be a safer alternative to CBI