Dual Citizenship Rules in European Countries Explained

Why dual citizenship is a settlement decision

If you intend to settle long-term and eventually naturalise, one question can change everything: does the country let you keep your original passport, or must you give it up to become a citizen? This is a different decision from the residence-permit and EU long-term residence questions — it is about your final nationality status, not your right to live and work.

Two layers apply at once. The European country's law decides whether it accepts dual nationality. Your home country's law independently decides whether it lets you keep its nationality when you acquire another. Both must allow it for you to hold both.

This is general information, not legal advice. Nationality laws and their exceptions change, so confirm the current rule with both the European country's official source and your own country's authorities before naturalising.

Countries that generally allow dual citizenship

Several major destinations now permit holding their citizenship alongside another. Germany's reformed Nationality Act, in force from 27 June 2024, allows people who naturalise to hold multiple citizenship — they no longer have to give up their previous nationality as a general rule.

France has long permitted dual nationality, so most applicants can retain their existing citizenship when they become French.

Switzerland also permits dual nationality for naturalised citizens. In each case, 'allowed on the European side' still depends on your home country's own stance, which you must check separately — and you should confirm the current rule on each country's official source before relying on it.

• Germany — multiple citizenship allowed for those naturalising (since 27 June 2024) — verify officially
• France — dual nationality permitted — verify officially
• Switzerland — dual nationality permitted for naturalised citizens — verify officially

Countries that, as a rule, expect renunciation

Other countries treat single nationality as the default and ask you to give up your previous citizenship — though all of them carry exceptions. The Netherlands generally requires applicants to renounce their other nationality, but exempts certain categories, such as recognised refugees and people married to or in a registered partnership with a Dutch citizen, among others.

Spain generally requires renunciation when you naturalise by residence, but nationals of Ibero-American countries, Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea and Portugal can keep their original nationality under standing arrangements (and France under a bilateral treaty).

Because the exceptions are detailed and decisive, never assume your case from the general rule — check whether an exemption covers you on the official source.

• Netherlands — renunciation as a rule; exemptions (e.g. refugees, spouse/partner of a Dutch citizen) — verify officially
• Spain — renunciation generally; kept for Ibero-American, Andorra, Philippines, Equatorial Guinea, Portugal (and France by treaty) — verify officially

Don't forget your home country's law

Even when a European country accepts dual nationality, your own country may not. Some states automatically withdraw their nationality when a citizen voluntarily acquires another; others permit dual nationality freely; some require prior permission. The European side and the home side are independent gates.

For Indian and other South Asian readers in particular, several home countries do not permit holding their nationality together with a foreign one — a factor worth resolving before you start a multi-year naturalisation process.

Confirm your home country's rule with its own official authority (foreign ministry or interior ministry), and the European rule with that country's official source, before making an irreversible choice.

How to check your specific case

Dual-nationality outcomes turn on details — your nationality, your family situation, whether an exemption applies, and the date you naturalise. A general 'allows' or 'requires renunciation' label is only the starting point.

Use a short checklist before relying on any plan, and keep evidence of what each official source said and when, because these rules are periodically reformed.

This remains general information, not legal advice. When the stakes are high, verify directly with the official government sources rather than secondary summaries.

• Confirm the European country's current dual-nationality rule on its official source
• Check whether an exemption (refugee, spouse/partner, bilateral treaty) applies to you
• Check your home country's law on acquiring a second nationality
• Note the date — rules change; verify before the irreversible step