Countries that Allow Dual Citizenship, Canada and U.S. Included

January 22, 2025 | 03:03 pm

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Many countries allow their citizens to hold dual citizenship, meaning they are legally recognized as citizens of two or more nations. This unique status offers a range of benefits, from career advancement or property ownership to expanded travel freedoms.

Charlize Theron, the 2004 Academy Award-winning actress for her outstanding portrayal of a real-life serial killer in the 2003 film "Monster", is a dual citizen. According to the New Netherland Institute, the South Africa-born movie star moved to Los Angeles, California, at the age of 19 to pursue her acting career. In 2007, she officially became a naturalized citizen of the United States while retaining her South African citizenship. How is this possible?

Let's discover the countries that allow dual citizenship and explore the perks of having one. 

What is Dual Citizenship?

According to Investopedia, when someone is a dual citizen, it means that they legally hold citizenship in two countries simultaneously. 

Dual citizenship, also known as dual nationality, can be acquired through various means. One of the simplest ways is by birth—when a child inherits both of their parents’ citizenship—which is the case in the U.S.

Naturalization is also a common way to acquire dual citizenship. Some countries offer naturalization through investment which requires foreign nationals to fully contribute to the respective countries’ economy.

In addition to birth and naturalization, dual citizenship is possible through a legal process. For example, an individual is eligible for U.S. nationality after fulfilling several requirements, including successfully completing a citizenship test and maintaining permanent resident status for several years.

Pros and Cons of Dual Citizenship

Dual citizenship, like most things in life, has its perks and drawbacks. Being a dual citizen means that you enjoy the rights, responsibilities, and obligations of both nations.

Investopedia breaks down the pros and cons of dual citizenship which include the following:

Advantages of Dual Citizenship

• Dual citizens are permitted to partake in the political life of the countries they represent.

• Dual citizens own two passports from their respective countries, which grants them more freedom to work and travel.

• Dual citizenship allows you to strengthen ties to your heritage while embracing a second culture.

• Dual citizens have access to healthcare, education, and other social services in both nations.

• Individuals who hold dual citizenship tend to have a wider range of property ownership opportunities.

Disadvantages of Dual Citizenship

• Dual citizens may face tax obligations in both countries, depending on their laws.

• Dual citizenship means that you bear double obligations and must abide by the laws of both countries.

• Certain professions limit benefits for employees who hold dual nationality.

• In some countries, acquiring dual nationality is often a complex and expensive process.

List of Countries that Allow Dual Citizenship

Some countries allow foreign nationals to possess dual nationality through investment programs. Citing Henley and Partners, these include:

• Antigua and Barbuda: requires a minimum capital of US$230,000

• Austria: requires a substantial contribution to the country’s economy

• Dominica: requires a minimum capital of US$200,000

• Egypt: requires a minimum capital of US$250,000

• Grenada: requires a minimum capital of US$235,000

• Jordan: requires a minimum capital of US$750,000

• Malta: requires a minimum capital of €600,000

• North Macedonia: requires a minimum capital of €200,000

• St. Kitts and Nevis: requires a minimum capital of US$250,000

• St. Lucia: requires a minimum capital of US$240,000

• Turkey: requires a minimum capital of US$400,000

For a more complete list, scroll down to see which countries embrace dual citizenship, as Times of India reported:

A

• Albania

• Algeria

• American Samoa

• Angola

• Antigua & Barbuda

• Argentina

• Australia

• Armenia

B

• Barbados

• Belgium

• Belize

• Benin

• Bolivia

• Bosnia & Herzegovina

• Brazil

• Bulgaria

• Burkina Faso

• Burundi

C

• Cambodia

• Canada

• Cape Verde

• Central African Republic

• Chile

• Colombia

• Comoros

• Republic of Congo (Brazzaville)

• Costa Rica

• Croatia

• Cyprus

• Czech Republic

D

• Denmark

• Dominica

• Dominican Republic

E

• Ecuador

• Egypt

• El Salvador

• Equatorial Guinea

F

• Fiji

• Finland

• France

G

• The Gambia

• Germany

• Ghana

• Greece

• Grenada

• Guatemala

• Guinea-Bissau

H

• Haiti

• Honduras

• Hong Kong

• Hungary

I

• Iceland

• Iraq

• Ireland

• Israel

• Italy

• Ivory Coast

J

• Jamaica

• Jordan

K

• Kenya

• Kosovo

• Kyrgyzstan

L

• Latvia

• Lebanon

• Lithuania

• Luxembourg

M

• Macau

• Macedonia

• Mali

• Malta

• Mauritius

• Mexico

• Moldova

• Morocco

N

• Namibia

• Nauru

• New Zealand

• Nicaragua

• Niger

• Nigeria

P

• Pakistan

• Panama

• Papua New Guinea

• Paraguay

• Peru

• Philippines

• Poland

• Portugal

R

• Romania

• Russia

S

• Saint Kitts & Nevis

• Saint Lucia

• Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

• Samoa

• Scotland

• Senegal

• Serbia

• Seychelles

• Sierra Leone

• Slovenia

• Solomon Islands

• Somalia

• South Africa

• South Korea

• South Sudan

• Spain

• Sri Lanka

• Sudan

• Sweden

• Switzerland

• Syria

T

• Taiwan

• Tajikistan

• Thailand

• Tibet

• Timor Leste

• Tonga

• Trinidad & Tobago

• Tunisia

• Turkey

U

• Uganda

• United Kingdom

• United States of America

• Uruguay

V

• Vatican City

• Venezuela

• Vietnam

Y

• Yemen

Z

• Zambia

• Zimbabwe

These countries allow you to have dual citizenship, which opens up more career and travel opportunities. If you are considering taking this path, do your research and make the most of what both worlds have to offer.

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