In 2025, around 123 countries allow dual citizenship for people who meet their eligibility criteria. So, what is this concept of dual citizenship or dual nationality? It refers to the status of a person who is legally recognized as a citizen of two countries at the same time.
You can be a dual citizen through birth, descent, naturalization, or marriage, depending on the eligibility conditions of a country. For example, some countries do not let people get citizenship via birth, not to discourage birth tourism. In these countries, you can only get citizenship by birth if your parents are citizens of that particular country too. Plus, becoming a dual citizen may make you responsible for legal rights and obligations in both countries, including taxes. Interested in learning more? Now, let’s look at the dual citizenship countries list in detail.
What to Discover in This Guide?
- What is Dual Citizenship?
- Top 6 Key Benefits of Dual Nationality
- Possible Disadvantages of Holding Dual Citizenship
- How to Get Dual Citizenship
- List of Countries where Dual Citizenship is Allowed in 2025
- Top 5 European Countries with Dual Citizenship
- Top 5 Caribbean Countries with Dual Citizenship
- Which Countries Do Not Allow Dual Citizenship in 2025
- Does the US Allow Dual Citizenship to American Citizens?
- Which Countries Allow Dual Citizenship with the US?
What is Dual Citizenship?
Although not all countries allow dual citizenship, it is a concept of holding two nationalities at the same time without losing any rights. However, the countries you will apply to must have a dual citizenship agreement with each other. Otherwise, you might need to revoke your other citizenship.
By becoming a dual citizen or dual national, you can benefit from access to both countries’ social and healthcare services, living in the two countries without any visa restrictions, and holding two passports for global mobility. However, at the same time, you might face legal and tax obligations in both countries.
So, in brief, as a dual citizen, you may:
- Vote in both countries (if allowed).
- Hold passports from both countries.
- Live and work freely in both countries.
But you might also:
- Be subject to taxes in both countries.
- Be required to serve in the military in one or both countries (if applicable).
- Be treated solely as a citizen of the country they’re in, meaning their other citizenship may not protect them there.
Top 6 Key Benefits of Dual Nationality
Before making your decision, it is always best practice to consider the pros and cons of the situation. When it comes to dual nationality, we come across the top six benefits you might want to know.
1. Travel Freedom
The world evolves into a place where global mobility matters. Therefore, people do not want to deal with the paperwork and heavy bureaucracy to visit countries, whether it is for travel or business. Holding two passports at the same time can open many doors and provide access to different regions, giving you the flexibility you need.
2. Work and Live in Both Countries
Why should you restrict yourself to one country? By holding two nationalities at the same time, you can work, study, and live in both countries without any restrictions. Thus, you can benefit from many opportunities for your future and career growth.
Apart from this, by having the right to live in both countries, you can benefit from health, education, and other social services. In other words, if you are living in a country where healthcare is private and costs you a lot, you can prefer getting a dual nationality in another country with the best healthcare system and low costs.
3. Property Ownership
In some countries, you cannot buy property if you are not a citizen. For instance, you cannot purchase real estate in Cambodia as a foreigner. However, you can if you get citizenship. In this case, dual citizenship can open access for you to make your investment.
4. Cultural connection
In some cases, you have a strong connection to a country; however, you do not have citizenship. For instance, your grandparents are from a specific country where you do not have residency rights anymore. By getting citizenship through descent, you can strengthen your cultural connection to your family heritage.
5. Business opportunities
By becoming a legal citizen of another country, you can expand your business opportunities. You can easily start a business or invest in existing businesses without any legal restrictions.
6. A Plan “B” for Your Family
Nowadays, global uncertainty increases day by day. Therefore, people are living with the anxiety of what will happen to them and their families in the future due to the political instability. This has led many to find a plan “B” for their future to be more stable and flexible in times of uncertainty. At this stage, dual citizenship can secure their families and future generations.
Possible Disadvantages of Holding Dual Citizenship
Seeing the benefits of dual citizenship, you might wonder, “Why is dual citizenship bad?” Well, every rose has its thorn, and dual citizenship is not an exception to this. You may encounter the following drawbacks.
1. Double Taxation
Becoming a citizen of another country can mean paying double taxes on the same income unless the two countries have a double taxation agreement. For many, taxation is a heavy burden; therefore, consider avoiding double taxation by checking out the agreements between the two countries and available tax incentives.
2. Complicated Process
The path to acquiring your citizenship can be tough, as it requires you to submit many documents and comply with the legal requirements. Thus, the process can be more complicated and slower than you think, since you will be depending on how fast the bureaucracy is.
3. Mandatory Military Service
Some countries require their citizens to complete their compulsory military service. Considering this, dual citizens have to serve in the military service of both countries. This can cause a complex situation for many. Therefore, while choosing your second citizenship, you can prefer countries that do not have a mandatory military service.
For instance, if you hold your dual citizenship via Caribbean citizenship by investment programs, you do not have to serve in the military. On the other hand, countries like Israel require you to serve in the military.
4. No Job in Certain Fields
As a dual citizen, you cannot build a career in politics due to being a potential threat to the country’s internal secrets. Therefore, you are not allowed to get yourself a job in the politics of both countries.
How to Get Dual Citizenship
Now that we have covered the pros and cons, it is time to move on to the requirements of dual citizenship.
To obtain dual citizenship, depending on the country you apply to, you can come across the following ways:
- By birth
- By descent
- By naturalization
- By investment
- By marriage
1. Dual Citizenship by Birthright
If you are born in a specific country rather than your first country, you can claim birthright citizenship. However, not all countries allow this without restriction. Some only allow it depending on your immigration status, parents’ nationality, and generation, to prevent illegal immigration. For instance, while the US and Canada allow citizenship by birthright without restriction, Greece and Portugal put restrictions.
2. Dual Citizenship by Descent
If you have a descent from another country, you can claim citizenship as long as you meet the eligibility requirements. In Europe, countries including Denmark, Portugal, Greece, and Germany allow dual citizenship by descent on condition that you provide documents to establish lineage and ancestry. For instance:
- Austria
- Germany
- Ireland
- Israel
- Italy
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- The United Kingdom
3. Dual Citizenship by Naturalization
You can also get dual citizenship through naturalization. It simply means that a person becomes a citizen of another country through a legal process and is allowed to keep their original citizenship if both countries permit it. This often involves living in the new country for a certain period, passing language or civics tests, and meeting other legal requirements.
One common way to obtain citizenship by naturalization is through residency by investment programs of the countries. By investing in a country’s economy, you can first get residency, then meet the legal requirements for citizenship.
The common ones:
- Ireland
- United Kingdom
- Spain
- Romania
- Portugal
- Luxembourg
- Lithuania
- Latvia
- Greece
- Germany
- Armenia
4. Dual Citizenship by Investment Programs
You can get citizenship by investing in a country or making a contribution to it. For example, the Caribbean citizenship by investment programs allow you to donate to the country’s economy and get citizenship within a few months after you pass due diligence checks. These countries include:
- St Kitts and Nevis
- Antigua and Barbuda
- St Lucia
- Dominica
- Grenada
5. Countries with Dual Citizenship by Marriage
By marrying a citizen of a country, you can apply for citizenship if you meet the legal requirements. These are the common countries that allow you to get dual citizenship by marriage:
- France
- Spain
- Argentina
- Belgium
- United Kingdom
- Germany
- Netherlands
- Belize
List of Countries where Dual Citizenship is Allowed in 2025
When we look at the countries that allow dual citizenship, we come across this map highlighted below:
List of Countries that Allow Dual Nationality in Europe
Below, you can see the list of countries in Europe that allow dual nationality.
- Albania
- Belgium
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Italy
- Kosovo
- Latvia
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Moldova
- North Macedonia
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Serbia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- United Kingdom
Top 5 European Countries with Dual Citizenship
Dual citizenship permits you to be considered a citizen under the legislation of both countries simultaneously. Here, we have gathered the top 5 EU countries that allow you to hold dual nationality.
1. Portugal
Located in Southern Europe, Portugal is one of the countries offering dual citizenship. To obtain your dual nationality, you can prefer the following paths: birth, descent, marriage, and naturalization.
Here, one of the most preferred ways is naturalization if you do not comply with the others. To apply for naturalization, you can prefer the Portugal Investment Visa, also known as the Portugal Golden Visa. This program allows you to obtain citizenship after meeting the legal requirements. You can consider choosing one of the following eligible options:
- Fund Investment in €500,000
- Cultural Golden Visa in €250,000 (€200,000 in low-density areas)
After completing your investment and application process successfully, you can be eligible to apply for Portuguese citizenship by investment or become a permanent resident.
Portugal also has double taxation treaties with countries including Turkey, Canada, the USA, Mexico, and the UK. Therefore, you can benefit from not paying double tax on the same income. Plus, the country can offer you tax benefits via the new IFICI program.
2. Greece
As one of the best EU countries, Greece stands out with its idyllic island lifestyle. You can apply for dual citizenship via birth, descent, marriage, and naturalization. When it comes to Greek citizenship by birth, you can only be eligible to apply if one of your parents is Greek. For citizenship by descent, you need a Greek ancestor and documents proving them. Similarly, if you can be eligible for citizenship by marriage via your spouse, you must complete three years of residence in Greece.
You can also apply for citizenship through Greece Golden Visa, if you meet the legal requirements. The program requires you to purchase a real estate with a minimum investment amount of €250,000 in the available projects. Although you are not required to live in Greece to keep your residency status, you have to legally reside in the country for 7 years (183 days per year) if your aim is citizenship.
After holding a foreign citizenship in Greece, you might be wondering whether you can benefit from tax incentives. Well, if your home country has a double taxation treaty, you can avoid paying double tax on your foreign income. Plus, you can take advantage of the Greek non-dom regime, corresponding to a €100,000 annual flat tax on your foreign source of income.
3. Italy
Italy is one of the European countries that permits dual citizenship. To acquire citizenship, you can choose one of the following options: birth, descent, marriage, or naturalization. You can apply for citizenship by birth if one of your parents is an Italian citizen. Therefore, Italian citizenship can be obtained by jure sanguinis, meaning “the right of blood”. For descent, you can submit your application if one of your parents or grandparents is from Italy. In the meantime, you can go for citizenship by marriage or civil partnership after two years of marriage in Italy or three years of marriage abroad.
Another common option is naturalization. It requires you to reside in Italy for at least 10 years (183 days per year). For this path, although Italy Golden Visa is not a citizenship by investment program, you can be eligible for a citizenship application through naturalization. You can consider choosing one of the available investment options starting from €250,000.
The country offers a special tax regime, too, for high-net-worth individuals. Accordingly, you can benefit from a flat tax regime of €200,000 annually on your worldwide income. Plus, Italy has double taxation agreements with countries such as the UK and the US.
4. Hungary
In Hungary, you can get your citizenship status via birth, marriage, descent, and naturalization. To get Hungarian citizenship by birth, at least one of your parents must be from Hungary. Similarly, you can be eligible for a citizenship application via descent on the condition that you can show proof of your Hungarian origin. When it comes to Hungarian citizenship by marriage, you must be living in the country for at least three years.
On the other hand, if none of the above applies to you, you can consider naturalization. One of the common pathways for this is to get residency through the Hungarian Golden Visa. To apply for it, you need to invest in a real estate fund of at least €250,000 or make a €1 million donation. Once you complete the process completely, you can apply for citizenship after 8 years of residing in the country.
When it comes to taxation, you should know that Hungary has one of the lowest tax rates in Europe:
- Income Tax: 15%
- Corporate Tax: 9%
- Inheritance Tax: 18%
Located on the Baltic Sea, Latvia is also one of the countries where dual citizenship is allowed. You can consider applying for Latvian citizenship via birth, descent, marriage, or naturalization. For a birthright, children born in Latvia can claim citizenship if one of their parents is from Latvia. You can also get your citizenship status by descent, on condition that you prove your parent or grandparent was a citizen of the country. Additionally, you can apply for citizenship through marriage after staying in Latvia for 5 years.
The other route is to get citizenship via naturalization. One of the ways to do this is Latvia Golden Visa, which is the cheapest Golden Visa program in Europe via €50,000 investment amount. The investment must be made in one of the Latvian companies with fewer than 50 employees and an annual income of €10,000. Although the program initially grants you residency, you can benefit from naturalization if you spend 10 years in Latvia.
However, before getting citizenship, you must check if your home country and Latvia have double taxation. Otherwise, you might have to pay taxes on the same income twice.
Top 5 Caribbean Countries with Dual Citizenship
Below, you will find the top 5 Caribbean countries grant citizenship immediately after making your investment.
6. St Kitts and Nevis
When it comes to the Caribbean, St Kitts and Nevis welcome you as one of the countries with dual citizenship. To acquire this country’s passport, you can choose one of these paths: by birth, descent, marriage, naturalization, or investment. Through birth, all you have to do is be born in St. Kitts and Nevis. Similarly, you can apply for citizenship by descent with proof of your parents or grandparents’ birth certificates. Marriage and naturalization are also available, but less preferred compared to Citizenship by Investment.
When it comes to the St Kitts and Nevis citizenship by investment program, you can grant your citizenship within 4 to 6 months, making it the fastest path in the Caribbean. Minimum investment amount starts from $250,000 for the Sustainable Island State Contribution (SISC).
Moreover, being a citizen does not make you pay income taxes, as it places itself among the tax-free countries, a strategic path if you are a high-net-worth individual.
7. St Lucia
St Lucia, one of the Caribbean countries, places itself among countries with dual citizenship. To obtain your citizenship status, you can go for one of the following ways: by birth, registration, or investment. If born in the country, you are automatically eligible for citizenship. You can also apply through descent with proof of your parents’ or grandparents’ birth certificates.
Through the St Lucia Citizenship by Investment program, you can gain citizenship in just 12 to 16 months. The minimum investment starts at $$240,000 to the National Economic Fund Donation. Additionally, St. Lucia is also a tax-free country, offering a favorable tax environment for high-net-worth individuals.
8. Antigua and Barbuda
Antigua and Barbuda also offers dual citizenship. There are multiple pathways to acquire a passport: by birth, descent, marriage, naturalization, or investment. If you are born in Antigua and Barbuda, you can gain citizenship. You can also apply through descent. Citizenship by marriage and naturalization are available, though the Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment program remains the most popular option.
The Citizenship by Investment program in Antigua and Barbuda is another fast track to citizenship, taking about 6 to 9 months with a minimum contribution amount of $230,000 to the National Development Fund (NDF). Plus, if you prefer to donate to The University of the West Indies Fund, your child can be granted a scholarship, a perfect option for families.
Moreover, Antigua and Barbuda also offers tax incentives, such as no inheritance, capital gains, or worldwide income tax, making it a favorable choice for individuals seeking a tax-efficient residency option.
9. Dominica
Dominica allows foreign nationals to obtain dual citizenship via naturalization, marriage, birth, descent, or investment. To get citizenship by birth, a child born in Dominica can claim citizenship regardless of their parents’ nationality. Similarly, if you can prove that your ancestors are from Dominica, you can be eligible to apply for a Dominican passport. On the other hand, you can apply through naturalization after 7 years or marriage after 3 years of residing in Dominica.
Among the possible pathways to citizenship, the most common route is to get Dominican citizenship by investment. For this path, all you have to do is make an investment starting from $200,000. By contributing to the country’s economy, you can get your dual nationality within 6 to 9 months.
What makes this path even more attractive is that Dominica does not require you to pay any worldwide income, inheritance, or capital gains taxes. Therefore, it may help you to run away from the drawbacks of holding a foreign nationality.
10. Grenada
If you want an E-2 Visa access, you can enjoy Grenadian citizenship’s benefits. To be eligible for citizenship, you need to follow one of these paths: by birth, naturalization, marriage, descent, or investment. For birth, you are only required to be born in Grenada, granting you citizenship through the jus soli principle. Moreover, you can consider marriage and naturalization; however, compared to fast-track citizenship by investment programs, they are not mostly preferred.
On the contrary, the Grenada Citizenship by Investment program allows foreign passport holders to get a dual citizenship by making a minimum donation of $235,000. Once granted, you can be eligible to apply for an E-2 Visa and get USA residency by making a substantial investment.
Which Countries Do Not Allow Dual Citizenship in 2025
Not every country in the world allows dual citizenship. Here is the list of countries that do not allow dual citizenship.
| Country | Country | Country | Country | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andorra | Azerbaijan | Bhutan | Botswana | Brunei |
| Cameroon | China | Cuba | Democratic Republic of Congo | Equatorial Guinea |
| Eritrea | Estonia | Eswatini | Ethiopia | Guinea |
| India | Indonesia | Iran | Japan | Kazakhstan |
| Kuwait | Laos | Libya | Malaysia | Mauritania |
| Monaco | Myanmar | Nepal | North Korea | Oman |
| Qatar | Saudi Arabia | San Marino | Senegal | Singapore |
| Suriname | Tanzania | Togo | Uzbekistan |
European countries that don't allow dual citizenship
When we look at the map above, we see that only the following countries in Europe do not permit dual citizenship:
- Andorra
- Estonia
- Monaco
- San Marino
Does the US Allow Dual Citizenship to American Citizens?
As an American citizen, you might be wondering whether the US allows dual citizenship. Well, the answer to that question is “yes, the US recognizes dual citizenship”. However, you must check if the other country also has a mutual treatment with the US. Otherwise, you cannot get a second passport from another country. Plus, having another citizenship does not exclude you from paying taxes in the US.
The US government taxes its citizens regardless of where they reside. However, if the other country has tax incentives or a double taxation treaty with the US, you can benefit from tax exemption depending on your eligibility. For instance, the Caribbean countries do not impose any taxes on your income as a tax haven. On the other hand, European countries can offer you tax incentives. For example, Italy offers a flat tax regime of €200,000 for investors annually.
Accordingly, you must make a careful decision before you make your move, so that your new passport does not become a burden on your shoulders.
Which Countries Allow Dual Citizenship with the US?
Wondering which countries allow you to hold dual citizenship as a US citizen? Here is the list of them:
| Country | Country | Country | Country | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albania | Angola | Armenia | Australia | Austria |
| Belgium | Belarus | Burundi | Cabo Verde | Comoros |
| Côte d’Ivoire | Cyprus | Denmark | Djibouti | Fiji |
| Finland | France | Gabon | Gambia | Germany |
| Ghana | Greece | Hungary | Iceland | Ireland |
| Iraq | Israel | Italy | Kenya | Kosovo |
| Latvia | Lebanon | Lithuania | Luxembourg | Mali |
| Malta | Moldova | Morocco | Mozambique | New Zealand |
| Niger | Nigeria | North Macedonia | Norway | Philippines |
| Portugal | Romania | Russia | Rwanda | São Tomé and Príncipe |
| Senegal | Serbia | Sierra Leone | Slovakia | Spain |
| Sri Lanka | Sudan | Sweden | Switzerland | Syria |
| The Czech Republic | Tonga | Tunisia | UK | Uganda |
| Vanuatu | Zambia |
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FAQs on Dual Citizenship Countries
To which countries does India allow dual citizenship?
Basically, Indian citizens cannot have dual citizenship status. If they want citizenship from a foreign country, they must revoke their Indian citizenship. However, they can be eligible for Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) as a type of partial citizenship. There are a few countries that allow Indians to hold OCI status. The most common ones are the United States, the United Kingdom, Portugal, Austria, and Germany.
What countries do not allow dual citizenship with the US?
For countries that do not allow dual citizenship with the US, we can count China, Cuba, Singapore, and India.
What countries allow dual citizenship with Canada?
There are many countries that allow dual citizenship with Canada. However, the most common ones that we can talk about are the United States, Mexico, the UK, New Zealand, Germany, Italy, and Portugal.
Will I lose my US citizenship if I become a citizen of another country?
If that foreign country allows you to hold dual citizenship, you will not lose your citizenship status. On the other hand, if that country does not allow you to hold a second citizenship, like China or Singapore, you can lose your US citizenship.
Does the US allow three citizenships?
Yes, the US permits you to hold multiple citizenships as long as there is no law prohibiting it.
Does dual citizenship affect social security benefits?
No, it does not affect your social security benefits; however, it might reduce them due to tax implications.
