Most countries allow dual citizenship. As at June 2026, around three-quarters of the world's roughly 195 UN member states permit it, up from about a third in 1960 (Pew Research, 2021; GLOBALCIT). A minority still restrict or prohibit it, the best-known being India, China, Japan and most of the Gulf. Whether you can actually hold two passports depends on the rules of both countries, not just one. This guide lists who allows it by region, flags the exceptions UK, GCC and European readers ask about most, and separates a real misconception from fact: a second passport does not, by itself, change where you pay tax.
For the wider residency picture, including golden visas and investment routes, see our companion guide on the golden visa and CBI programmes open in 2026.
Key Takeaways
- Around three-quarters of UN member states (roughly 150) now permit dual citizenship, up from about a third in 1960 (Pew Research, 2021).
- The UK, Ireland, France, Italy, Canada, the US and most of Latin America and Africa allow it; India, China, Japan and Singapore do not.
- The Gulf is the global outlier. Most GCC states restrict or prohibit dual citizenship; the UAE is the partial exception, by nomination only, since 30 January 2021.
- Dual citizenship does not change your tax residence. Tax follows where you live, with the US (and Eritrea) the rare countries taxing by citizenship.
- "Allows" depends on both countries, and rules change. Verify with the relevant embassy before acting; this is not immigration advice.
Which countries allow dual citizenship in 2026?
Most do. Around three-quarters of UN member states, roughly 150 countries, now permit dual citizenship, up from about a third in 1960 (Pew Research, 2021; GLOBALCIT). That includes the UK, Ireland, France, Italy, the US, Canada and most of Latin America and Africa. A minority restrict or prohibit it, notably India, China, Japan and most Gulf states.
The long-run trend is one-directional. In 1960 only about a third of states tolerated more than one nationality; six decades of migration, diaspora politics and gender-equal nationality reform pushed that figure to roughly three-quarters today. Norway joined as recently as 2020, Germany in 2024. We present the headline as "around three-quarters" rather than a single hard number because the underlying datasets (Pew, GLOBALCIT) describe a range, and the count shifts as laws change.
Citation capsule: Around three-quarters of the world's roughly 195 UN member states, about 150 countries, permitted dual citizenship as at June 2026, up from roughly a third in 1960 (Pew Research, 2021; GLOBALCIT). The clear exceptions are India, China, Japan, Singapore and most Gulf states, where acquiring another nationality can cost you your original one.
Which European countries allow dual citizenship?
Most of Europe allows it, with a handful of conditional cases. The UK, Ireland, France, Italy and Portugal all permit dual citizenship, and Germany joined them on 27 June 2024 when its modernised nationality law (StARModG) ended the renunciation rule (German Federal Foreign Office, 2024). The same reform cut the naturalisation residency requirement from eight years to five. The conditional cases are Spain, the Netherlands and Austria.
| Country | Allowed? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Yes | No limit on how many you hold; the UK never requires renunciation, but the other country must also allow it |
| Germany | Yes, since 27 Jun 2024 | StARModG ended renunciation and cut naturalisation from 8 to 5 years |
| Norway | Yes, since 1 Jan 2020 | The last Nordic country to permit it |
| Ireland, France, Italy, Portugal | Yes | Permitted; Italy tightened its descent (jure sanguinis) rules in 2025, so "allows dual" is not the same as "easy descent" |
| Spain | Conditional | Only with treaty partners (Ibero-American states, Portugal, Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea, France); others must renounce |
| Netherlands | Restricts, with exceptions | Renounce on naturalising; exceptions for spouses, refugees and citizens of countries that bar renunciation |
| Austria | Restricts, narrow exceptions | Must usually give up the prior nationality; exceptions for birthright duals and national-interest grants |
| Estonia, Lithuania | Restricts | Generally not permitted for naturalised citizens |
Spain is the one to watch. It is routinely listed as allowing dual citizenship, yet it only does so with specific treaty partners. A British or Indian national naturalising in Spain would, in principle, be asked to renounce, while an Argentine or Filipino national would not. The Netherlands and Austria are best described as restricting with exceptions, not banning outright. For the British mechanics specifically, see our dedicated guide.
Citation capsule: Germany legalised dual citizenship on 27 June 2024 under its modernised nationality law (StARModG), which also cut the naturalisation residency requirement from eight years to five (German Federal Foreign Office, 2024). Norway permitted it from 1 January 2020. Spain allows it only with treaty partners; the Netherlands and Austria restrict it with narrow exceptions. See our UK dual citizenship guide for the British rules.
Which countries in the Americas allow dual citizenship?
Almost all of them. The United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Chile and Peru all permit dual citizenship, as do the five Caribbean states that run citizenship-by-investment programmes. There is one important asterisk on the US: it permits dual nationality but taxes its citizens on worldwide income wherever they live, making it (with Eritrea) one of only two countries to tax by citizenship.
| Country | Allowed? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Yes, but | Permits dual citizenship, but taxes citizens on worldwide income (citizenship-based taxation); a passport is not the same as a tax exit |
| Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Chile, Peru | Yes | Region-wide acceptance of dual nationality |
| St Kitts & Nevis, Dominica, Antigua & Barbuda, Grenada, St Lucia | Yes | All five Caribbean CBI states permit dual citizenship; it is the basis of their investment programmes |
The Caribbean five matter to UK and GCC readers because they sell the fastest mainstream route to a second passport. All five permit dual citizenship, which is precisely why investment programmes work there: you add a nationality without surrendering your own. We cover the thresholds and trade-offs in detail in our Caribbean citizenship-by-investment guide.
Citation capsule: The United States permits dual citizenship but taxes its citizens on worldwide income regardless of residence, making the US and Eritrea the only two states to tax by citizenship rather than residence (clustered expat-tax sources, 2026). Canada, Mexico and most of Latin America accept dual nationality, as do all five Caribbean citizenship-by-investment states: St Kitts and Nevis, Dominica, Antigua and Barbuda, Grenada and St Lucia.
Do GCC and Middle East countries allow dual citizenship?
Mostly, no. The Gulf is the global outlier: Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman generally restrict or prohibit dual citizenship, and none of the six GCC states runs a citizenship-by-investment programme. The UAE is the single partial exception. Since 30 January 2021, a Cabinet amendment has let select nominated investors, scientists, talents and professionals hold Emirati citizenship alongside their existing nationality, by nomination only.
| Country | Allowed? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| United Arab Emirates | Selective, since 30 Jan 2021 | A 2021 Cabinet amendment lets select nominated investors, scientists, talents and professionals keep their nationality alongside Emirati citizenship; by nomination only, not an open route |
| Saudi Arabia | Generally restricted | Royal permission needed to acquire another nationality, otherwise you risk losing Saudi citizenship; confirm with the authority |
| Kuwait | Prohibited | Law bans dual nationality |
| Qatar | Restricted | Generally not permitted |
| Bahrain | Restricted | Operates a permission framework; dual nationality not generally recognised |
| Oman | Prohibited | Law prohibits it, with permission and loss provisions |
Here is the reframe that matters for GCC-based readers. The Gulf does not sell citizenship; it sells residence. While Europe and the Caribbean offer routes to a passport, the GCC's proposition to wealthy migrants is the golden visa: long-term residence, not naturalisation, paired with 0% personal income tax. That is a feature, not a gap. If your goal is a tax-efficient base, a UAE golden visa may serve you better than chasing a Gulf passport that is, for almost everyone, unavailable. See our note on the golden visa and CBI programmes open in 2026, where we explain that the GCC offers residency rather than citizenship.
Treat the non-UAE Gulf cells as the highest-stakes rows in this guide. Several Gulf states operate a permission or approval regime rather than a flat ban, so acquiring another nationality without permission can trigger loss of your original. These rules are sensitive and change quietly. Confirm your position directly with the relevant embassy or nationality authority before you act.
Citation capsule: Most Gulf states restrict or prohibit dual citizenship. Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman generally do not permit it, and none of the six GCC states offers citizenship by investment. The UAE is the exception: since 30 January 2021 a Cabinet amendment lets select nominated investors and talents hold Emirati citizenship alongside their own, by nomination only (UAE Cabinet, 2021). The Gulf competes on residence, not passports.
Which Asian countries restrict dual citizenship?
Several major economies do not allow it. India, China, Japan and Singapore all prohibit dual citizenship for adults: acquiring another nationality generally ends your original one. India is the case readers ask about most, because its Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card is often mistaken for citizenship. It is not. India's Ministry of External Affairs states plainly that OCI "is not to be misconstrued as dual citizenship" (India MEA, 2026).
| Country | Allowed? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| India | No | Acquiring a foreign nationality ends Indian citizenship (Constitution Art. 9; Citizenship Act 1955, s. 9). OCI is not citizenship: a lifelong visa, no vote, no public office |
| China | No | Foreign naturalisation triggers automatic loss of Chinese nationality |
| Japan | No | Those born with two nationalities must generally elect one |
| Singapore | No | Not permitted for adults |
| Philippines | Yes | Re-acquisition law allows former citizens to regain Filipino nationality alongside another |
OCI is not dual citizenship. The Overseas Citizen of India card gives lifelong rights to enter, live and work in India, but it is not Indian citizenship. OCI holders cannot vote, cannot hold public office, and do not carry an Indian passport. India's MEA is explicit: OCI "is not to be misconstrued as dual citizenship" (India MEA, 2026). If you take another nationality, you lose your Indian citizenship; OCI is the consolation, not an equivalent.
Citation capsule: India, China, Japan and Singapore do not permit dual citizenship for adults; acquiring another nationality generally ends the original. India's Ministry of External Affairs confirms that the OCI card "is not to be misconstrued as dual citizenship" and carries no vote or right to public office (India MEA, 2026). The Philippines is the notable Asian exception, allowing re-acquisition.
Do African countries allow dual citizenship?
Most now do. The majority of African states permit dual citizenship, with the diaspora a key driver of reform, and the trend is towards more acceptance, not less. South Africa's Constitutional Court reinforced this on 6 May 2025, ruling it unlawful to strip citizenship merely for acquiring another nationality (Constitutional Court of South Africa, 2025). A small group of states, however, still restrict or prohibit it.
| Country | Allowed? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Most African states | Yes | The majority now permit it, with the diaspora a leading driver of reform |
| South Africa | Yes, with permission | The Constitutional Court ruled on 6 May 2025 that stripping citizenship merely for acquiring another nationality is unlawful |
| Nigeria | Yes | Permitted, except for the President and state Governors |
| Cameroon, DR Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Tanzania | No / restricted | The minority that do not permit it; Ethiopia has signalled possible reform |
The direction of travel is clear. African states have moved steadily towards accepting dual nationality, recognising the economic and remittance value of their diaspora. The 2025 South African judgment is the most recent landmark. The holdouts now number only a handful, including Cameroon, the DR Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia and Tanzania, and even some of those are under reform pressure.
Citation capsule: Most African states now permit dual citizenship, with the diaspora driving reform. South Africa's Constitutional Court ruled on 6 May 2025 that stripping citizenship merely for acquiring another nationality is unlawful (Constitutional Court of South Africa, 2025). A small minority still restrict it, including Cameroon, the DR Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia and Tanzania.
People also ask about dual citizenship
Does the UK allow dual citizenship?
Yes. There is no limit on how many nationalities you can hold, and the UK never requires you to renounce your original citizenship. The catch lies on the other side: the other country must also allow it. For the British mechanics, see our UK dual citizenship guide.
Does Germany allow dual citizenship now?
Yes, since 27 June 2024. Germany's modernised nationality law (StARModG) ended the old renunciation requirement, so naturalising Germans may keep their previous nationality. The same reform cut the residency requirement for naturalisation from eight years to five (German Federal Foreign Office, 2024).
Does the UAE allow dual citizenship?
Partially, since 30 January 2021. A Cabinet amendment lets a select group of investors, scientists, talents and professionals be nominated for Emirati citizenship while keeping their current nationality. It is discretionary and by nomination, not an open route, so confirm any specific case with the authority.
Does holding two passports change where I pay tax?
No, not by itself. Tax residence follows where you actually live and your domicile, not which passports you hold. The standout exception is the US, which taxes its citizens on worldwide income wherever they live. For everyone else, citizenship and tax residence are separate questions.
Can I lose my original citizenship by becoming a citizen elsewhere?
Possibly, if your home country bans dual nationality. Even where your new country allows it, states such as India, China, Japan and several Gulf countries may strip your original citizenship automatically when you naturalise. Always check both sides before acting.
How do people get a second citizenship?
There are four main routes, and they vary hugely in cost and speed. People acquire a second citizenship by descent (through a parent or grandparent), by naturalisation (residing somewhere over a qualifying period), by marriage, or by citizenship-by-investment (CBI). The fastest route is usually investment; the cheapest, if you qualify, is descent. Each route depends on the laws of the country granting the citizenship.
Investment is the route most HNWIs reach for, because it is predictable and time-bound. The Caribbean programmes are the best-known, and the wider field includes European and other options. We map the full landscape in our citizenship-by-investment guide, and break down the regional options in the Caribbean citizenship-by-investment guide. If your underlying goal is mobility rather than a new home, the value sits in the passport's reach, which we rank in our guide to the most powerful passports of 2026.
Whichever route you take, the same caveat applies on the home-country side. Adding a citizenship is only half the equation; you must also be allowed to keep your existing one. An Indian, Chinese or Kuwaiti national who naturalises elsewhere can lose their original nationality automatically, regardless of how welcoming the new country is. Check both sides first.
Ready to plan a second citizenship?
A second citizenship is one of the most durable ways to widen your options, but the right route depends on your nationality, your family, your tax position and your goals. Because "allows" depends on both countries and rules change, the sensible first step is a structured review rather than a guess. To map your own situation to a route that actually works, you can explore Ancova's citizenship services for a considered view before you commit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which countries allow dual citizenship?
Most do. Around three-quarters of UN member states, roughly 150 countries, now permit dual citizenship, including the UK, Ireland, France, Italy, the US, Canada and most of Latin America and Africa (Pew Research, 2021). A minority restrict or prohibit it, notably India, China, Japan and most Gulf states. Rules change, so verify before acting.
Do GCC countries allow dual citizenship?
Mostly no. Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman generally restrict or prohibit dual citizenship, and none of the six GCC states offers citizenship by investment. The UAE is the exception: since 30 January 2021, select nominated investors and talents may hold Emirati citizenship alongside their own. Confirm any case with the authority.
Is OCI the same as dual citizenship?
No. India's Ministry of External Affairs states that the Overseas Citizen of India card "is not to be misconstrued as dual citizenship" (India MEA, 2026). OCI grants lifelong rights to enter, live and work in India, but no vote, no public office and no Indian passport. India does not permit dual citizenship.
Does holding two passports change where I pay tax?
No, not by itself. Tax residence follows where you live and your domicile, not which passports you hold. The standout exception is the US, which taxes its citizens on worldwide income wherever they live. For UK, GCC and EU readers, citizenship and tax residence are separate questions, so plan them separately.
How do people get a second citizenship?
Through four main routes: descent (a parent or grandparent), naturalisation (residence over a qualifying period), marriage, and citizenship-by-investment. Investment is usually the fastest; descent is the cheapest if you qualify. Each route depends on the granting country's law, and on whether your current country lets you keep your existing nationality.
Sources
- Pew Research Center, "Dual citizenship and the trend toward acceptance," 2021, retrieved 13 June 2026, https://www.pewresearch.org/
- GLOBALCIT / MACIMIDE, "Global dual citizenship database," retrieved 13 June 2026, https://globalcit.eu/
- German Federal Foreign Office, "Modernisation of nationality law (StARModG), in force 27 June 2024," retrieved 13 June 2026, https://www.germany.info/
- Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI), "Dual citizenship permitted from 1 January 2020," retrieved 13 June 2026, https://www.udi.no/en/
- UAE Cabinet, "Amendment to the Executive Regulation of the Nationality Law, 30 January 2021," retrieved 13 June 2026, https://uaecabinet.ae/en
- Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, "Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) scheme," retrieved 13 June 2026, https://www.mea.gov.in/
- Constitutional Court of South Africa, "Judgment on loss of citizenship, 6 May 2025," retrieved 13 June 2026, https://www.concourt.org.za/
- Expat-tax sources (clustered, citizenship-based taxation: US and Eritrea), retrieved 13 June 2026. Tax-residence honesty note; confirm individual position with a qualified adviser.
Written by
Amine Derag
Director of Strategy, Ancova Associates
Amine Derag is Director of Strategy at Ancova Associates, the Dubai advisory firm for company formation, residency, citizenship by investment, and cross-border tax structuring. He advises founders and private clients relocating to the UAE on how a UAE structure interacts with their home-country tax and reporting obligations.
Connect on LinkedInThis article is general information for educational purposes only and is not legal, tax, financial, or immigration advice. Investment thresholds, processing times, and program terms change — speak with a qualified Ancova adviser before acting.
