A Complete List of Countries That Do Not Allow Dual Citizenship

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Planning to acquire a second passport? You’ll need to know which countries won’t let you keep both. This list of countries that do not allow dual citizenship spans 40+ nations across Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas. Understanding these restrictions is crucial before you invest in your global mobility strategy.

A man from a country that allows dual citizenship passing his second passport to an immigration officer.

What Is Dual Citizenship, and Why Does It Matter?

Dual citizenship allows you to be recognised as a citizen of two countries simultaneously. This status grants remarkable advantages: unrestricted global mobility, expanded business opportunities, enhanced asset protection, and strategic tax optimisation. For high-net-worth individuals and international entrepreneurs, holding multiple passports isn’t just convenient. It’s a powerful tool for wealth preservation and family security.

The trend is clear. More professionals are seeking second citizenships to diversify their options and protect against geopolitical uncertainty. Whether you’re looking to expand your business footprint, access better education for your children, or simply secure a Plan B, a second passport opens doors that a single citizenship cannot.

However, not all countries allow their citizens to hold dual citizenship. If you’re from one of these nations, acquiring a second passport could mean automatically losing your original citizenship or facing legal complications down the line.

Countries That Don’t Allow Dual Citizenship

Below is the list of countries that do not allow dual citizenship, organised by region. Some impose complete bans, whilst others permit dual citizenship only until a certain age or under very specific circumstances.

Asia (The Strictest Region)

Asia has the largest concentration of countries prohibiting dual citizenship:

Middle East:

Saudi Arabia
United Arab Emirates (with exceptions)
Kuwait
Qatar
Oman
Iran

East and Southeast Asia:

China
Japan
Singapore
Indonesia
Malaysia
Myanmar
Laos
Brunei
North Korea

South and Central Asia:

India (offers OCI status instead)
Nepal
Bhutan
Kazakhstan
Uzbekistan
Azerbaijan

China maintains one of the strictest policies, requiring complete renunciation of any foreign citizenship. Japan similarly prohibits dual citizenship, requiring citizens to choose one nationality by age 22. Meanwhile, Singapore enforces a single-citizenship policy, demanding proof of relinquishment before granting naturalisation.

India doesn’t permit dual citizenship but offers Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) status. This is a compromise that provides certain rights without full citizenship privileges.

Africa

Several African nations restrict dual citizenship, though the landscape is gradually changing:

Ethiopia
Cameroon
Tanzania
Libya
Botswana
Eritrea
Senegal
Mauritania
Guinea
Togo
Equatorial Guinea
Democratic Republic of Congo
Eswatini

Europe (Limited but Notable Restrictions)

Europe is generally more accepting of dual citizenship, but several countries maintain restrictions:

Complete restrictions:

Andorra
Monaco
San Marino
Estonia

Partial restrictions (exceptions apply):

Austria (except in birth or national interest cases)
Spain (except for citizens from Latin American countries, Andorra, Equatorial Guinea, Portugal, and the Philippines)
Netherlands (exceptions for marriage, financial hardship, or when renunciation isn’t possible)
Lithuania (exceptions for those acquiring at birth or exiled before 1990)
Slovakia (allowed by descent, birth, or marriage)

Americas

Only two countries in the Americas prohibit dual citizenship:

Cuba
Suriname

The vast majority of North and South American nations embrace dual citizenship, making this region highly favourable for investment migration.

In nations where citizenship is tightly linked to cultural or ethnic identity, dual citizenship may be seen as a threat to social cohesion.

Why Do Countries Restrict Dual Citizenship?

Countries that prohibit dual citizenship typically cite several concerns:

National loyalty and allegiance: Many governments view citizenship as requiring undivided loyalty to the state. They worry that dual citizens might face conflicts of interest or divided allegiances during international disputes.
Security and military service considerations: Nations with mandatory military service or sensitive security environments may prohibit dual citizenship to prevent complications around military obligations and access to classified information.
Legal and administrative complexity: Managing citizens subject to multiple legal systems creates enforcement challenges around taxation, legal rights, and diplomatic protections. Some countries simply don’t want the administrative burden.
Cultural identity preservation: In nations where citizenship is closely linked to cultural or ethnic identity, dual citizenship may be seen as a threat to social cohesion.
Tax and diplomatic complications: Dual citizenship can create complex scenarios for tax collection, consular protection, and international legal disputes.

These restrictions reflect each country’s unique historical, political, and cultural priorities. For investors and internationally mobile professionals, these policies would impact your planning around wealth management, tax efficiency, and family security.

How to Get a Second Passport?

If your current citizenship restricts dual nationality, you’re not without options. Strategic investment migration programmes offer legal pathways to acquire a second passport, even when your home country doesn’t permit dual citizenship.

Citizenship by Investment (CBI) Programmes

CBI programmes provide the fastest route to a second passport. You make a qualifying investment, pass due diligence checks, and receive citizenship. Typically within 3 to 6 months. No residency required.

Popular CBI destinations include:

Dominica (from $200,000)
Antigua and Barbuda (from $230,000)
St Kitts and Nevis (from $250,000)
St Lucia (from $240,000)
Grenada (from $235,000)

Key benefits:

Visa-free travel to 140 to 150+ countries, including the Schengen Area, the UK, and Singapore
No residency requirements before or after citizenship
Citizenship can be passed to future generations
Multiple investment options: government donations, real estate, or development funds
Processed within 3 to 6 months on average

Residency by Investment (Golden Visa) Programmes

Golden Visa programmes grant residency first, with a pathway to citizenship after meeting specific requirements. Typically 5 to 10 years of maintained residency. This approach works well if you’re planning long-term relocation or want to test a country before committing to citizenship.

Leading Golden Visa programmes:

Portugal (from €250,000)
Greece (from €250,000)
Spain (from €500,000)
Malta (from €300,000)
UAE (from $205,000)
Thailand (from $250,000)

Key benefits:

Right to live, work, and study in the host country
Access to the Schengen Area (for EU programmes)
Pathway to EU citizenship with voting rights
Access to world-class healthcare and education systems
Potential tax advantages depending on the programme

The timeline is longer. Residency is granted quickly, but citizenship typically requires 5 to 10 years of maintained residency and meeting language or integration requirements.

How Premier Consultancy Helps You Get Your Second Passport

Navigating citizenship and residency programmes requires expert guidance. With 20+ years of experience and over 500 successful applications, Premier Consultancy provides end-to-end support throughout your investment migration journey.

Step 1: Personalised Consultation

We begin with an in-depth assessment of your specific circumstances:

Current citizenship status and any restrictions
Your goals: mobility, tax optimisation, business expansion, family security
Budget and investment capacity
Timeline expectations

Our consultants evaluate your eligibility for various programmes and recommend the most suitable options based on your unique situation.

Step 2: Programme Selection

We provide access to leading CBI and RBI programmes across:

Caribbean nations
European Union
United Arab Emirates
Southeast Asia

You’ll receive clear comparisons of investment amounts, processing times, visa-free travel benefits, and tax implications. We help you understand both the opportunities and limitations of each programme, ensuring you make an informed decision aligned with your long-term objectives.

Step 3: Application Process Management

Once you’ve selected your programme, we handle the complete application process:

Documentation preparation and review
Official translation services for non-English documents
Liaison with government authorities and programme administrators
Due diligence preparation to ensure approval
Investment structuring and payment processing

We manage every detail from initial submission through to passport issuance, keeping you informed at every stage.

Step 4: Post-Approval Support

Your relationship with Premier Consultancy extends beyond passport approval:

International tax consulting to optimise your new citizenship status
Investment advice to maximise returns from property or fund investments
Ongoing support for adding family members to your citizenship
Guidance on maintaining compliance with programme requirements

Take Control of Your Global Mobility

Dual citizenship restrictions shouldn’t limit your international ambitions. Whether your home country prohibits dual nationality or you’re simply seeking expanded opportunities, second passport programmes offer legitimate, legal pathways to achieve your goals.

The key is working with experienced professionals who understand both the legal complexities and strategic opportunities of investment migration. With proper guidance, you can navigate restrictions, meet compliance requirements, and secure a second citizenship that enhances your mobility, protects your assets, and creates opportunities for future generations.

Contact Premier Consultancy to start your personalised assessment. Our experienced consultants will guide you through the list of countries that do not allow dual citizenship, evaluate your options, and develop a strategic plan to achieve your global mobility objectives. Book your confidential consultation with Premier Consultancy today to explore how to get a second passport and start your journey toward enhanced global mobility.

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