Shabana Bukhari 
Explore the benefits and eligibility criteria for British dual citizenship, also known as dual nationality. This is when an applicant is a citizen of two separate countries (one being Britain) which both allow for dual citizenship and hence is a holder of two passports. Find out if you qualify for dual citizenship in the UK and understand the advantages it brings, including travel privileges, residency rights, and more.
Advantages of Dual Citizenship
The advantages of holding dual citizenship include being able to freely travel, live, study and work between the two countries.
An applicant who is a British citizen is not required to renounce their British citizenship and so can still benefit from its many advantages, such as not having to pay the immigration health care charge and instead having free healthcare through the publicly funded NHS. To explore other benefits of British citizenship [please read our British citizenship blogs].
Countries that permit Dual Citizenship
- Armenia
- Australia
- Barbados
- Bangladesh
- Belgium
- Bulgaria
- Canada
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Egypt
- France
- Finland
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iraq
- Ireland
- Israel
- Italy
- Kenya
- Lebanon
- Pakistan
- Philippines
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Serbia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- South Africa
- South Korea
- Sri Lanka
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Syria
- Thailand
- United Kingdom
- United States
These are just some of the many countries that permit Dual Citizenship. Please contact our team at Henleaze for advice on countries not listed.
Countries that do not permit Dual Citizenship
- Austria
- China
- India
- Indonesia
- Japan
- Malaysia
- Singapore
- United Arab Emirates
Above are some of the countries that do not permit dual citizenship. Please contact our team at Henleaze for advice on countries not listed.
Or contact the country’s consulate or embassy in the UK to find out about that country’s laws on dual nationality: Foreign embassies in the UK – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).
This means that those applying for citizenship on the list above must renounce their British citizenship.
Eligibility Requirements for British Dual Citizenship
To be eligible for British Dual Citizenship you must be a British citizen. Check out our [comprehensive guide on how to acquire this by naturalisation].
Once you are a British citizen the other country must also permit dual citizenship. Please refer to the lists above.
Application Process
There is no actual application process for British dual citizenship. All applicants must do is apply for foreign citizenship and retain their British citizenship:
First Step:
Make an application to become a British citizen if you are not already one. British citizenship can be acquired in various ways, including:
- Birth in the UK.
- Descent, please see our A Comprehensive Guide to British Citizenship by Descent in 2023: Eligibility and Process.
- Spouse or civil partner of a UK citizen and you must also live for at least 3 years in the UK with settled status (either ILR or EU Settled Status).
- 5-year route of UK residency leading to ILR and eventually British citizenship. This also applies to those EU and EEA citizens on the EU Settled Scheme. Please follow our [comprehensive guide on British citizenship by naturalisation], including the Life in the UK Test which must be passed under this route.
- If you have renounced your British citizenship, you can resume your status as a British citizen.
Second Step:
Make an application for foreign citizenship from a country which permits dual citizenship if not already acquired.
Now you have British dual citizenship!
Application Fees
The application fees vary on which route you take to become a British citizen. For instance, it is £1,330 to make an application for naturalisation as a British citizen.
FAQs
Is it possible to have triple citizenship?
Yes. The laws in England state that multiple, also known as triple citizenship is permitted. However, the only restriction on this is if the other country’s laws permit triple citizenship.
How long on average does an application for British citizenship take?
Government guidance states that on average it takes 6 months for British citizenship processing.
Is it possible to lose British citizenship?
Yes. You can lose your British citizenship voluntarily by renouncing it if you are at least 18 years old and of sound mind. Or the Home Secretary can remove it if the application was untruthful and inaccurate.
Summary
To access the great benefits of gaining British dual citizenship by descent read the eligibility requirements discussed above. It is a simple process, but the key is to be careful which foreign countries also permit dual nationality.
Please contact our expert team of immigration lawyers at Henleaze Law on 0117 908 4625 for legal assistance on British dual citizenship.
