Chetcuti Cauchi’s Dual Citizenship Report, Global Edition

 

On an international basis, the last few years have seen, more than ever, individuals seeking to obtain a second passport as a means of security and opportunity amidst political instability and an increase in private wealth citizenship. The result? More and more individuals around the world are obtaining dual citizenship to safeguard their future.

Dual Citizenship

“Essentially, dual citizenship is the status of having two nationalities, in the form of two passports with all the rights and obligations that arise out of the countries that grant those citizenships,” states Dr Jean Philippe Chetcuti, Senior Partner, Global Residency and Citizenship, at international law firm Chetcuti Cauchi Advocates. Whether dual citizenship is accepted, however, depends solely on the countries in question. “This is an area which is in constant flux. Countries like Denmark have relaxed their rules and have recently introduced rules to allow dual citizenship.”

Chetcuti Cauchi’s Dual Citizenship Report

With this in mind, Chetcuti Cauchi Advocates has compiled the Global Edition of the Dual Citizenship Report (DCR Report) that provides a comprehensive analysis of the laws regulating dual citizenship around the world. “The main focus of the report is to look specifically at the main criteria for dual citizenship”, explains Dr Chetcuti. The report allows the reader to easily contrast and link dual citizenship rules, as each country chapter within the report is founded on the feedback provided by our immigration lawyers, and gives a very thorough analysis of the legislation regulating citizenship within that country.

The report comes following the success of the first two regional editions of the Dual Citizenship Report, the European edition and the Russia and CIS Edition, and explores whether a certain jurisdiction restricts, disallows or permits its citizens from possessing dual and multiple citizenship. 

Countries allowing Dual and Multiple Citizenship

Reading the report, it becomes clear that nowadays 60% of the countries allow dual citizenship, while only 20% of the countries completely disallow dual citizenship. Furthermore, there is also a number of countries which require the individual to choose between the two citizenships.

According to the Dual Citizenship Report, the jurisdictions which permit dual citizenship without any limitations include Malta, the United States, Cyprus, Canada, New Zealand, Saint Kitts and Nevis, the United Kingdom and Saint Lucia. 

Countries not permitting Dual Citizenship

Those countries which completely disallow dual citizenship, and which maintain that by obtaining another citizenship it would result in the loss of their own citizenship, include Kazakhstan, China, Nepal, Monaco, Ethiopia and India. Countries like Russia and South Africa permit dual citizenship but still impose certain restrictions upon the individual. For instance, South Africa and Russia both impose the obligation to inform the authorities, prior to attaining dual citizenship.

Countries restricting Dual Citizenship

As remarked in the Dual Citizenship Report, some countries prohibit dual citizenship, whilst making exceptions in certain cases. Jurisdictions such as South Korea, Norway, Lithuania, and Austria do allow dual citizenship in cases of birth, marriage or both. There are also some countries which have dual nationality agreements in place, such as Spain, the Honduras, Pakistan and Nicaragua. Moreover, jurisdictions such as Germany, Latvia and Bulgaria only permit dual citizenship with regards to other European Member States.

Acquiring Second Citizenship by Investment

The Dual Citizenship Report also explores the option to acquire a second citizenship through citizenship by investment programmes. These citizenship programmes grant investors the right to work, reside, work and access travel health services. They can also signify a means to escape the instability of certain countries and thus attaining further security.

As a result, not only is dual citizenship nowadays accepted globally, but it is highly sought after. “More and more families are taking to a second or even a third citizenship”, explains Dr Chetcuti.  “The report is a useful tool for advisors, lawyers and families, to assess the implications of citizenship both in the host jurisdiction as well as the country of origin”. The report has thus positioned itself as an important point of reference for numerous inquiries.

Watch the full interview below.

To view the full report, please Click here!

Dr Jean-Philippe Chetcuti

Senior Partner, Global Residency & Citizenship

Direct Tel: +356 2205 6604

Email: askjpc@cclex.com

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