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Countries That Don’t Allow Dual Citizenship — And Why It Matters

Henley & Partners

Publishing date 27.6.2025
Reading time 7 minutes

Dual citizenship is the legal status of an individual who is simultaneously recognized as a citizen of two different countries. This grants them rights and obligations in both nations, such as the ability to vote, work, and access social services. While many countries embrace dual citizenship for its benefits in global mobility and multicultural integration, others strictly prohibit it. These nations often view it as a threat to national identity, legal clarity, or exclusive allegiance, requiring individuals to pledge loyalty to just one country.

Understanding dual citizenship

For dual citizenship to be legally recognized, both countries involved must allow it — the country of existing citizenship and the one granting a new citizenship. If either country prohibits dual citizenship, one citizenship may need to be renounced to acquire or retain the other.

It is also important to note that countries can differ in how they recognize dual citizenship. Some distinguish between allowing their own citizens to retain their citizenship when acquiring another and permitting foreign nationals to naturalize without renouncing their original citizenship. These policies can operate independently. A country may, for example, allow its native-born citizens to acquire a second citizenship without losing their original citizenship, while requiring foreign nationals to renounce their previous citizenship in order to naturalize. Understanding how each jurisdiction defines and enforces dual citizenship is critical.

For high-net-worth individuals, the ability to hold more than one citizenship can impact critical decisions involving investment planning, asset protection, taxation, estate inheritance, and global relocation. However, the legal landscape is far from uniform. Laws governing citizenship are rooted in national sovereignty and often shaped by complex political, cultural, and legal factors. For professionals and investors navigating cross-border interests, understanding where dual citizenship is not allowed is crucial for compliance and strategic planning.

Why some countries don’t allow dual citizenship

Countries that prohibit dual citizenship do so for a range of reasons rooted in concerns over national identity, governance, and legal clarity. While the rationale differs across regions and political systems, the common thread is the desire to maintain a singular allegiance between the individual and the state. Some of the key reasons for banning dual citizenship include:

  • National loyalty: Some governments view dual citizenship as a challenge to undivided national loyalty. These nations often require individuals to renounce prior citizenships upon naturalization to prevent divided allegiance
  • Security concerns: Dual citizenship may present security risks, such as conflicts of interest during military service, espionage, or access to sensitive government positions
  • Legal and administrative complexity: Managing citizens who are simultaneously subject to multiple legal systems can complicate enforcement of taxation, legal rights, and diplomatic protections
  • Cultural and political factors: In countries where national identity is tightly linked to cultural or political homogeneity, dual citizenship may be viewed as diluting the integrity of the nation-state

Illustrative cases include China, India, and Singapore. China prohibits dual citizenship entirely, indicating the need to ensure loyalty and preserve state integrity. India does not permit dual citizenship due to concerns over legal and administrative clarity but instead offers Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) status, which provides limited rights without granting full citizenship. Singapore enforces a strict single-citizenship policy, emphasizing national commitment and requiring applicants to provide proof of relinquishment of any other citizenships before naturalization.

Countries that do not allow dual citizenship

Below is a list of countries that do not allow dual citizenship. Some of these countries impose full bans, while others allow children to hold dual citizenship until a certain age, after which they must choose one and renounce the other. In some cases, very limited and specific exceptions may apply.

Africa

Americas

Asia

Europe

Botswana

Cameroon

Democratic Republic of Congo

Equatorial Guinea

Eritrea

Ethiopia

Eswatini

Guinea

Libya

Mauritania

Senegal

Tanzania

Togo

Cuba

Suriname

Azerbaijan

Bhutan

Brunei

China

India

Indonesia

Iran

Japan

Kazakhstan

Kuwait

Laos

Malaysia

Myanmar

Nepal

North Korea

Oman

Qatar

Saudi Arabia

Singapore

Uzbekistan

Andorra

Estonia

Monaco

San Marino

Dual citizenship in Europe: Growing openness, lingering restrictions

Europe offers a varied legal landscape when it comes to dual citizenship. For globally mobile investors, understanding the European framework is essential — not only because of the region’s economic importance, but also due to the interconnected residence and mobility rights within the European Union.

While several European countries, such as Germany, Norway, Poland, and Ukraine, have moved from a limited acceptance toward broader recognition of dual citizenship, the following countries are still generally restrictive in their approach but do allow dual citizenship by exception or under very specific conditions.

Austria

Dual citizenship is typically not permitted, except in specific cases where individuals acquire two nationalities at birth or exceptional cases where it serves the national interest of Austria.

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Dual citizenship is permitted only with countries that have a bilateral agreement with Bosnia and Herzegovina. Currently, agreements exist with countries such as Croatia, Serbia, and Sweden.

Croatia

Dual citizenship is allowed under specific conditions outlined in Croatia’s nationality laws, such as through citizenship by descent or in cases deemed to be in the national interest.

Lithuania

Dual citizenship is generally restricted but exceptions are made for individuals who acquired multiple nationalities at birth, those who were exiled before 1990 and their descendants, and in other exceptional cases outlined by law.

Netherlands

Dual citizenship is permitted under certain circumstances such as when the individual's country of origin does not allow renunciation of citizenship, when the individual is married to a Dutch citizen, or when renouncing the original citizenship would lead to significant financial loss or other serious consequences.

Slovakia

Dual citizenship is allowed in cases such as descent, birth, or marriage. However, citizens may lose their citizenship if they voluntarily take another citizenship without long-term residence abroad.

Slovenia

Dual citizenship is permitted under specific conditions. While individuals acquiring Slovenian citizenship by birth or descent can retain multiple citizenships, those naturalizing are generally required to renounce their previous citizenship unless granted an exception based on national interest.

Spain

Dual citizenship is generally not permitted, requiring most naturalized citizens to renounce their previous citizenship. However, notable exceptions exist for individuals from countries with historical and cultural ties to Spain, such as Latin American countries, Andorra, Equatorial Guinea, the Philippines and Portugal.

Understanding the legal limitations surrounding dual citizenship is essential for individuals with international ambitions. For those exploring investment migration or long-term relocation strategies, awareness of where dual citizenship is not permitted can inform better decision-making and ensure legal compliance. By aligning citizenship planning with both personal goals and the legal requirements of each country, high-net-worth individuals can safeguard their assets, simplify their obligations, and maximize their global access.

Dual citizenship offers greater travel freedom, expanded job and residence opportunities, tax planning advantages, political rights in both countries, easier family sponsorship, and access to high-quality public services like healthcare and education.

Depending on your citizenships, you might need to manage legal, tax, or military duties in both countries. However, if one country requires mandatory service, living in the other may offer a way to avoid those obligations. For a broader understanding, explore dual citizenship insights here.

Countries such as China, India, Singapore, and Saudi Arabia have strict laws prohibiting dual citizenship. Each enforces unique legal frameworks reflecting national priorities. To see which countries do allow dual citizenship, explore our full list here.

While there is an international tendency to move away from strict single-citizenship policies, the primary reasons that some countries still do not allow dual citizenship include safeguarding national loyalty, minimizing legal complexity, addressing security concerns, and maintaining cultural cohesion.

Several European countries, including Andorra, Estonia, Monaco, and San Marino, do not allow dual citizenship and generally require individuals to renounce their previous citizenship when acquiring a new citizenship. However, other European countries such as Austria, Croatia, and the Netherlands are restrictive but do allow dual citizenship under specific conditions.

Relying on a single citizenship can leave individuals exposed to geopolitical conflict, government overreach, mandatory military service, and sudden loss of legal status or mobility. In today’s volatile world, even strong passports offer limited protection against diplomatic fallout, travel bans, or political instability. A second citizenship acts as a legal and strategic safety net — providing greater freedom and security.

Dual citizenship can be obtained through ancestry, birth in a qualifying country, marriage to a citizen, citizenship by merit pathways, naturalization, or investment in countries that offer citizenship by investment programs. Eligibility and rules vary, so it’s important to check the specific laws of each country involved. For more information, contact us to arrange an initial private consultation.

Disclaimer (as of June 26, 2025):
The information provided in this article reflects the legal landscape and government policies regarding dual citizenship at the time of research. Immigration laws and nationality regulations are subject to change, and interpretations can vary by jurisdiction. This content is intended for general informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. The list of countries included is not exhaustive. For the most accurate and current guidance, readers are strongly encouraged to consult official government sources or seek advice from a qualified legal professional specializing in immigration or nationality law.

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