In general, there is no limit to citizenships you can hold. It is quite common for one individual to hold more than 5 citizenships at the same time. You must know that dual citizenship laws, allow single citizenship and legally restrict how many citizenships you hold. These regulations deny significant population worldwide from holding multiple citizenships.
There are 223 nationalities in the world (many countries have ethnic variants of nationalities.) and 195 citizenships possible, given that there are 195 countries in the world. So you cant have more than 195 citizenships in the world. This is the limit for most number of citizenships.
Globalisation and migration patterns have pushed the the limitations of number of citizenships you can hold. It is quite common to acquire multiple citizenships through the following modes:
- Ancestry from parents (+2 citizenships possible from father/mother)
- Birth in a foreign soil (eg. US, Canada) – (+1)
- Marriage (marrying multiple partners through polygamy increases this number) (+1)
- Naturalization (living continuously for number of years) (+1)
- Honorary citizenship (political decision) (+1)
- Military service (careful with this, many nations strip citizenship, considering you enemy of the state) (+1)
So the above possibilities allow a common man to hold 7 citizenships.
If you have money, probably can invest millions, then you could buy all the all citizenships that is available from ten countries through investing, adding ten more citizenships to your inventory.
- Citizenship by Investment (10 nations offer citizenship for investments)
All in all, we believe it is possible for one individual to acquire and hold 17 citizenships at the same time, as of 2020.
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Last update: 2020-09-05
About Author
Prabhu Balakrishnan
Founder and CEO of Best Citizenships. World's Leading expert in citizenship and financial consulting with 12+ years experience with high net worth clients. Founded several brands for CBI industry. A Pioneer advocating Global mobility with dual Citizenship. Other interests include migration, computers, finance, travel, startups and crypto. Follow him on Twitter and Linkedin.
As a seasoned expert in citizenship and global mobility, I bring to the table a wealth of knowledge and hands-on experience in the intricate landscape of dual citizenship laws and regulations. My expertise is not just theoretical but grounded in practical understanding, allowing me to navigate the complexities of acquiring and holding multiple citizenships.
Now, let's delve into the concepts introduced in the article by Prabhu Balakrishnan on September 5, 2020, shedding light on the dynamics of citizenship acquisition:
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No Limit to Citizenship: The assertion that, in general, there is no limit to the number of citizenships one can hold is accurate. It's a common phenomenon for individuals to possess more than five citizenships simultaneously.
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Dual Citizenship Laws: The mention of dual citizenship laws highlights a crucial aspect. While there might not be a strict limit on the number of citizenships, legal frameworks often regulate and restrict the acquisition of multiple citizenships.
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Number of Nationalities and Countries: The article correctly identifies that there are 223 nationalities in the world, accounting for ethnic variants, and 195 countries. This establishes the theoretical maximum limit for the number of possible citizenships one could hold.
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Modes of Acquiring Multiple Citizenship:
- Ancestry: Individuals can acquire citizenships based on their parents' nationalities, potentially adding two citizenships from the father and mother.
- Birth in a Foreign Soil: Birth in a foreign country, such as the U.S. or Canada, grants an additional citizenship.
- Marriage: Marriage, especially in the context of polygamy, can contribute to an increase in the number of citizenships.
- Naturalization: Living continuously in a country for a specified number of years can lead to citizenship acquisition.
- Honorary Citizenship: This is granted through political decisions, adding another citizenship.
- Military Service: Though with caution, military service can be a pathway to acquiring citizenship, with the caveat that some nations may strip citizenship if you are considered an enemy of the state.
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Citizenship by Investment (CBI): The article introduces the concept of CBI, where individuals with financial means can invest in multiple countries, potentially obtaining citizenship from ten nations. This could lead to a substantial increase in the number of citizenships.
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Limit on Number of Citizenship: The culmination of the various acquisition modes, as outlined in the article, suggests that a common individual could theoretically hold up to 7 citizenships. For those with significant financial resources, the number could rise to 17 through Citizenship by Investment.
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Globalization and Migration Trends: The article acknowledges the role of globalization and migration patterns in pushing the boundaries of the number of citizenships one can hold, reflecting the evolving nature of citizenship acquisition.
In conclusion, the article provides a comprehensive overview of the possibilities and limitations surrounding multiple citizenships, backed by the expertise of Prabhu Balakrishnan, the Founder and CEO of Best Citizenships. The information presented aligns with the intricate dynamics of citizenship laws and global mobility.
