A shrinking but still significant group of countries do not allow dual citizenship. The largest are China and India, which together account for more than a third of the world's population. Japan, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, several Gulf states, parts of Central Asia and a few European countries also restrict it.
These countries rarely just say no. Most use one of a handful of legal techniques: automatic loss of citizenship when you naturalize elsewhere, a deadline to choose one nationality, a renunciation requirement for new citizens, or a ban with a permission-based exception. The technique matters, because it decides what happens to you and your children.
This guide explains the main restrictive countries, how their rules work in practice, and the alternatives that some offer to their diaspora.
Key takeaways
- Restrictions take four common forms: automatic loss, a choice deadline, mandatory renunciation for new citizens, or prior permission.
- China, India, Japan, Singapore, Indonesia and Malaysia are the largest countries with broad restrictions.
- In Europe, Austria, the Netherlands, Lithuania and Estonia still restrict dual citizenship, each with exceptions.
- Several countries dropped their bans recently, including Germany in 2024 and Ukraine in 2026.
- Diaspora statuses such as India's OCI card give former citizens residence and work rights without citizenship.
Four ways countries restrict dual citizenship
Restrictive countries differ in how strict they are. The legal mechanism usually falls into one of these groups:
- Automatic loss. Citizenship ends by law when an adult voluntarily acquires another nationality. No official act is needed. China and India work this way.
- Choice deadline. People who hold two nationalities from birth or childhood must choose one by a set age. Japan and Singapore use this model.
- Renunciation on naturalization. New citizens must give up their previous nationality. The Netherlands, Austria and Singapore, among others, require this, with exceptions.
- Permission required. Citizens may keep their nationality only if the government approves in advance. Austria's retention permit and the rules in several Gulf states follow this pattern.
The difference between voluntary and involuntary acquisition is important. Most bans target people who choose to naturalize abroad. A child born with two nationalities has not made that choice, so many countries treat such children differently.
Countries that restrict dual citizenship
The table summarizes the main restrictive countries as of October 2026. It is not exhaustive, and most countries listed have narrow exceptions.
| Country | How the restriction works | Common alternative or exception |
|---|---|---|
| China | Automatic loss for nationals settled abroad who voluntarily naturalize | Long-term residence permits for foreigners of Chinese origin |
| India | Citizenship ends on voluntary acquisition of another | Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card |
| Japan | Automatic loss on voluntary naturalization; choice deadline for birth dual nationals | None for adults |
| Singapore | Child dual nationals must renounce by early adulthood; new citizens renounce | None for adults |
| Indonesia | Adults may not hold two nationalities; mixed-nationality children choose as young adults | Residence permits for former citizens |
| Malaysia | Government may deprive citizens who acquire another nationality | None for adults |
| Nepal | Loss on acquiring another nationality | Non-resident Nepali citizenship without political rights |
| Saudi Arabia | Prior approval needed to acquire another nationality | Permission in rare cases |
| Kuwait, Qatar | Loss on voluntary acquisition of another nationality | None in general |
| Kazakhstan | Constitution does not recognize another citizenship for its citizens | None |
| Austria | Loss on voluntary acquisition unless a retention permit was granted | Retention permit; restoration for descendants of Nazi persecution victims |
| Netherlands | Loss on voluntary acquisition and renunciation for new citizens, with exceptions | Spouse, birth-country and refugee exceptions |
| Lithuania | Constitution limits dual citizenship to exceptional cases | Exceptions for some emigrants who left before 1990 and their descendants |
| Estonia | Naturalized citizens must renounce | Citizens by birth cannot be deprived of citizenship |
| DR Congo | Constitution says Congolese nationality is one and exclusive | None |
| Ethiopia | No dual nationality | Ethiopian origin identity card for the diaspora |
Asia
China. Article 3 of the Nationality Law says China does not recognize dual nationality for Chinese nationals. Article 9 adds that a Chinese national settled abroad who voluntarily acquires a foreign nationality automatically loses Chinese nationality. In practice, this shows up when people try to renew a Chinese passport or household registration after naturalizing elsewhere.
India. Section 9 of the Citizenship Act, 1955, ends Indian citizenship when a citizen voluntarily acquires another nationality. Former citizens must surrender their Indian passport before they can apply for an Indian visa or an OCI card. The OCI card gives a lifelong visa and broad rights to live and work in India, but it is not citizenship: it does not allow voting or most public offices.
Japan. Under the Nationality Act, a Japanese national who voluntarily acquires another nationality loses Japanese nationality. Since April 2022, people who held two nationalities before age 18 must choose one before turning 20, according to the official English translation of the Nationality Act. The Ministry of Justice can formally ask a person to choose, but it has rarely done so.
Singapore. Singapore allows dual nationality only for minors. People who acquired Singapore citizenship as children by descent or registration must take an oath renouncing other citizenships between age 21 and 22, or they lose Singapore citizenship on their 22nd birthday, according to the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority. Male citizens with outstanding National Service obligations face extra conditions if they try to renounce.
Indonesia and Malaysia. Indonesia's 2006 citizenship law allows children of mixed marriages to hold two nationalities until adulthood, after which they must choose. Malaysia's constitution lets the government deprive a citizen who voluntarily acquires another citizenship.
Europe
Austria. Section 27 of the Austrian Citizenship Act removes citizenship from anyone who voluntarily acquires a foreign nationality, unless they obtained permission to retain it beforehand. Retention can be approved, for example, where it serves the Republic's interests or, for people who are Austrian by descent, where there is a strong private or family reason.
Netherlands. Dutch citizens lose their nationality when they voluntarily take another, unless an exception applies, such as marriage to a national of the other country. People who naturalize as Dutch must generally renounce their old nationality, with exceptions for spouses of Dutch citizens and recognized refugees, among others.
Lithuania. The constitution allows dual citizenship only in individual cases set by law. In May 2024, a referendum to widen it won about 74% of votes cast but failed because fewer than half of all registered voters said yes, as LRT reported. This was the second failed attempt after 2019.
Estonia. Estonia requires naturalized citizens to give up other nationalities. Because the constitution says no one may be deprived of Estonian citizenship acquired by birth, people born Estonian who also hold another nationality generally keep both.
The Middle East, Central Asia and Africa
Most Gulf states restrict dual nationality. Saudi law requires prior approval from the government before a citizen acquires another nationality. Kuwait and Qatar provide for loss of citizenship on voluntary naturalization abroad. The UAE has traditionally required new citizens to give up other nationalities, although since 2021 it can nominate some investors and professionals for citizenship while letting them keep their original passport.
In Central Asia, Kazakhstan's constitution does not recognize another citizenship held by its citizens. In Africa, the constitution of the Democratic Republic of the Congo describes Congolese nationality as one and exclusive, and Ethiopia offers a special identity card to people of Ethiopian origin instead of dual citizenship.
Countries that recently dropped their bans
The list above is shorter than it used to be. Germany ended its general renunciation rule on June 27, 2024. Norway allowed dual citizenship from January 1, 2020, and Denmark from 2015. Ukraine's multiple citizenship law took effect on January 16, 2026, for citizenship of countries on an approved list. In South Africa, the Constitutional Court struck down the provision that ended citizenship automatically for people who naturalized abroad, in a May 2025 ruling. Our guide to countries that allow dual citizenship covers these in more detail.
How the bans are enforced
Enforcement varies widely. In some countries, the ban only bites when you deal with the state: renewing a passport, registering a birth, inheriting land or entering on the wrong passport. Others actively check. India requires former citizens to surrender their passport and obtain a surrender certificate. Singapore links citizenship to National Service records.
A few practical points come up often:
- Using the wrong passport can be an offense. Entering India on an Indian passport after naturalizing elsewhere is a common example.
- Property and inheritance rules may change once you are legally a foreigner, especially for land.
- Children born with two nationalities usually face a choice deadline, not immediate loss.
- Declaring a second nationality is required in some countries even where it is tolerated. See our list of countries that require you to report a second citizenship.
Hiding a second nationality from authorities that require disclosure can lead to fines, loss of citizenship or criminal charges. People in this position often ask a lawyer in each country about their options before they apply.
Alternatives when dual citizenship is not possible
For people from restrictive countries, the trade-off is real: a new passport may cost the old one. Some choose long-term residence instead of citizenship. A permanent residence permit or a golden visa can give the right to live in a second country without triggering loss of the original nationality. Our comparison of residency by investment and citizenship by investment explains the difference, and our piece on why entrepreneurs build a Plan B residency covers the reasoning.
Frequently asked questions
Does China allow dual citizenship?
No. China's Nationality Law does not recognize dual nationality for Chinese nationals, and a Chinese national settled abroad who voluntarily acquires another nationality loses Chinese nationality automatically.
Does India allow dual citizenship?
No. Indian citizenship ends when a citizen voluntarily acquires another nationality. Former citizens can apply for an Overseas Citizen of India card, which gives a lifelong visa and many economic rights, but not voting rights.
Which European countries do not allow dual citizenship?
Austria, the Netherlands, Lithuania and Estonia are the main EU members with restrictions, and each has exceptions. Spain allows it only with certain countries. Germany dropped its restriction in 2024.
What happens if I hold two citizenships where it is banned?
It depends on the country. In automatic-loss countries such as China and India, you are no longer a citizen in law once you naturalize elsewhere, whatever passport you still hold. Using the old passport afterwards can be an offense.
Can children keep two nationalities?
Often yes, until a set age. Japan, Singapore and Indonesia let children born with two nationalities keep both until early adulthood, then require a choice.
Important: This article is general information, not tax, legal or financial advice. Rules change often and depend on your personal circumstances. Speak with a qualified professional in each relevant country before you act.