Dual citizenship

Every country decides for itself whom it considers a citizen. Canada's immigration department says a person who is recognized as a citizen by more than one country has dual citizenship, and that there is no application for it. UK guidance says dual citizenship is allowed in the UK and that many countries do not accept it.

Whether a person can keep a first citizenship when gaining another depends on the law of each country involved. UK guidance points people to the other country's consulate or embassy for its rules. It also notes that in some countries a married person or a child born abroad automatically has a nationality.

Each citizenship brings its own duties. UK guidance says a dual national cannot get diplomatic help from the British government while in their other country of citizenship. Tax, reporting and entry rules of both countries can apply at the same time.

Not to be confused with

• Naturalization. Naturalization is one way of gaining a second citizenship, and it can end the first under some countries' laws.
• Citizenship-based taxation. Holding US citizenship as one of two citizenships still brings US citizenship-based tax rules.

Sources

• Dual citizenshipOfficial guidance
• What is dual citizenship?Official guidance

Related

Countries covered

General

Sources

2 sources

Tax year

Current rules as checked

Review

Not professionally reviewed
Sources checked November 8, 2026