Chetcuti Cauchi Advocates Launch Dual Citizenship Report: European Region

Chetcuti Cauchi Advocates released a new report entitled ‘The
Dual Citizenship Report’ which explores the treatment and legal status of dual
citizenship in European Countries. To commemorate the launch of the report, the
partners invited Hon. Prime Minister Joseph Muscat on the 27^th September
2017, who signed the first physical copy of the report.

The aim of the report which was meticulously researched by Chetcuti Cauchi's in-house researchers was to explore the treatment and legal status of dual citizenship in European Countries. As explained by Managing Partner Dr Jean-Philippe Chetcuti , “this report aims to offer a clear understanding of the laws and regulations of the different countries, and acts as a reference for individuals looking into attaining dual citizenship.”

To ensure that the report provides a comprehensive legal analysis, Chetcuti Cauchi’s researchers collaborated with various specialist European Immigration law firms that provided information and commentary on the citizenship laws in their respective country.

The report presents all findings and the analysis carried out based on the data which was gathered in a country chapter format and uses various comparison tables which highlight the difference in status between the various countries. The report delves into whether dual citizenship is allowed, prohibited or restricted, and outlines the process of how citizenship is granted and any conditions which may apply for dual citizenship to be permitted. If dual citizenship is not permitted, the report outlines the restrictions which are being imposed and if there are any exceptions present. In this way, the report is able to provide a complete and meticulous analysis.

According to the data collected, the citizenship laws of the different European countries which were studied can be classified using three different categories, namely those which allow, restrict or prohibit dual citizenship.

Findings show that a staggering majority of European countries allow dual citizenship, including Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

The report also highlights which countries restrict dual citizenship. Findings show that there is a smaller group of countries which generally disallow dual citizenship, but which make exceptions in certain circumstances such as dual citizenship in case of birth or marriage. Countries which fall under the restricted category include Austria, Bulgaria, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, the Slovak Republic and Spain.

On the other hand, Estonia, Monaco, Montenegro and the Netherlands completely prohibit dual citizenship under any circumstance. The legislative frameworks these countries which prohibit dual citizenship would only allow an individual to be a citizen of that particular country, thus an individual would need to renounce his or her original citizenship before he or she can become a citizen of one of the aforementioned countries.

Dual Citizenship – Explore your options with ease

To provide a more holistic and interactive experience to online users, Chetcuti Cauchi Advocates have also launched a new digital platform dualcitizenshipreport.org which compliments the physical report.