The UK Position: Dual Citizenship Permitted
The United Kingdom's current position on dual citizenship is permissive. British law does not prohibit British nationals from holding the citizenship of another country simultaneously. You can hold a British passport alongside a Grenada passport, a Portuguese passport, a Maltese passport, or a Turkish passport without any legal conflict arising from UK law.
This is a long-standing feature of British law rather than a recent change. The UK has permitted multiple nationality since at least the British Nationality Act 1948, and the British Nationality Act 1981 — which restructured the categories of British nationality and remains the foundation of current law — carried that principle forward. The UK has not required its citizens to choose between British citizenship and a foreign citizenship.
The practical consequence for investors pursuing CBI or RBI programmes is significant: you can acquire a second citizenship without risk to your British citizenship. There is no need to renounce, no notice to give to the UK government, and no registration requirement with HMRC or the Home Office.
When British Citizenship CAN Be Lost
While UK law does not require you to renounce British citizenship when acquiring a foreign nationality, there are circumstances in which British citizenship can be lost:
Voluntary Renunciation
You can formally renounce British citizenship by making a declaration of renunciation to the Home Secretary (using form RN, available from the Home Office). Renunciation is irrevocable in most cases (though there is a right to re-register in certain circumstances — see our separate guide on renouncing UK citizenship). The main reasons someone might renounce are: compliance with a foreign country's citizenship rules that require renunciation of other nationalities; or (rarely) for personal or political reasons.
Deprivation of Citizenship
The Home Secretary has powers to deprive a person of British citizenship in specific circumstances, primarily related to national security, serious criminal conduct, or if the citizenship was obtained by fraud. Deprivation is rare and contested; it is not a normal risk for investors acquiring a second citizenship legitimately.
Historic Provisions (British Overseas Citizenship and similar)
Certain categories of historical British nationality — British Overseas Citizenship (BOC), British Protected Person (BPP), British Subject — can be lost on voluntary acquisition of a foreign nationality in some circumstances. These categories are already limited in their rights; full British citizenship (citizenship of the UK by right of birth, registration, or naturalisation under the 1981 Act) is not affected.
Countries That Restrict Dual Citizenship: A Key Check
While UK law permits you to hold dual nationality, the foreign country whose citizenship you are acquiring may have its own rules. Some countries do not permit their nationals to hold citizenship of another country. Acquiring citizenship of such a country may require you to renounce your British citizenship.
This is the opposite of the more common concern — it is not about UK rules, but about the rules of the country granting you citizenship.
Countries that generally restrict or prohibit dual citizenship (with caveats)
Germany: Historically restrictive on dual citizenship for non-EU nationals. From 2024, Germany liberalised its rules significantly, permitting multiple citizenship more broadly. German nationals naturalising elsewhere no longer automatically lose German citizenship in many cases. Verify current rules with a German immigration lawyer.
India: India does not permit dual citizenship. Indian citizens who naturalise in another country lose their Indian citizenship automatically. However, India offers an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card to former Indian citizens and their descendants, which provides most of the benefits of citizenship (other than voting rights and holding certain offices) without dual nationality.
China: China does not officially recognise dual citizenship. Chinese nationals who acquire a foreign citizenship are required to surrender their Chinese identity documents and are considered to have given up Chinese citizenship. In practice, the enforcement of this is inconsistent, but it is the official policy.
Singapore: Singapore's constitution does not permit dual citizenship. Singaporeans who acquire foreign citizenship must renounce their Singaporean citizenship.
Japan: Japan generally requires naturalised citizens to renounce their original citizenship, though enforcement has been inconsistent.
Saudi Arabia and most Gulf states: Generally do not permit dual citizenship, with limited exceptions.
The Caribbean CBI countries: All five Caribbean CBI countries — Antigua, Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts, St Lucia — permit dual citizenship. There is no requirement to renounce British citizenship when acquiring citizenship of any of these countries.
EU member states: Generally permit dual citizenship (or have recently moved towards it). Malta, Portugal, Greece, Spain, and Cyprus all permit dual citizenship. British nationals acquiring citizenship of these countries can retain their British passport.
Turkey: Turkey permits dual citizenship. Turkish nationals and those naturalising in Turkey may hold other citizenships.
Vanuatu: Permits dual citizenship.
How to Check the Country's Position
Before committing to any CBI programme, verify the following:
- Does the programme country permit dual citizenship?
- Does your original country of citizenship (or any other citizenship you hold) have restrictions that are triggered by acquiring citizenship of the programme country?
- If there is a restriction, is there a formal waiver or approval process that applies?
Your authorised agent or immigration lawyer in the programme country should be able to confirm the programme country's position. For your original country's restrictions (if you hold a nationality other than British), specialist advice in that country is needed.
UK Security Clearance and Dual Citizenship
For individuals who hold or are pursuing UK government security clearance — whether for employment in government, defence contracting, certain financial sector roles, or other purposes — dual citizenship requires careful consideration.
General position: Dual citizenship is not an automatic bar to security clearance. The UK's national security vetting processes (BPSS, SC, DV, and enhanced tiers) assess the totality of the individual's circumstances rather than applying a simple rule about citizenship.
Relevant considerations in vetting:
- The other country of citizenship: citizenship of an adversarial state (Russia, China, Iran, and similar) is a significantly more sensitive factor than citizenship of a close ally (EU, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand) or a neutral small state (Caribbean, Vanuatu)
- Family members and connections in the other country
- Financial interests and assets in the other country
- The nature and circumstances of how the second citizenship was acquired
Practical advice: If you hold or anticipate needing security clearance, take specific advice from a security vetting adviser or specialist HR/legal counsel before acquiring a second citizenship. This is not an area where a general analysis is adequate — the vetting process is individual and the implications of dual citizenship depend on your specific role and clearance level.
Armed Forces Personnel
UK armed forces personnel face additional considerations. MoD policies on dual citizenship are relevant, and serving personnel should obtain specific advice from their chain of command and MoD legal advisers before acquiring foreign citizenship.
Using Multiple Passports: Practical Considerations
Holding two passports and using them appropriately requires some awareness:
- UK entry: Always use your British passport to enter and leave the UK. As a British citizen, you are required to identify yourself to UK border control as a British citizen. Using a foreign passport creates legal complications and may give HMRC or border officials the false impression that you are a foreign national.
- Other country entry: Use the appropriate passport for the country you are entering. If you are entering Greece on your Greek (or EU) passport, use that. If you are entering the USA, use the passport that gives you Visa Waiver Programme access (British or Maltese passport would both qualify; Dominica passport would not).
- Passport validity: Ensure both passports are kept current and do not expire before planned travel.
- Consistency in applications: When making government applications, disclosing your dual nationality is typically required and advisable. Failure to disclose dual nationality in situations where it is material can constitute fraud or misrepresentation.
Compliance Note
UK citizenship and nationality law is technical and has evolved over time. The rules differ across categories of British nationality, and depend on how your citizenship was originally acquired. For individuals whose British citizenship status is in any way complex (e.g., naturalised British citizens, holders of historic categories of British nationality), specific advice from a UK immigration lawyer is recommended before acquiring a foreign citizenship. Information above reflects conditions as of mid-2026 and is not legal advice.
How Global Investments Can Help
All five Caribbean CBI programmes we work with, and the European programmes (Malta, Portugal, Greece, Cyprus), are fully compatible with dual citizenship for British nationals. We advise our clients on the dual nationality position from the outset and ensure the programme selected is compatible with all citizenships the client currently holds. Where a client holds a non-British nationality with potential restrictions, we flag this and coordinate with appropriate specialist counsel. Contact us for a confidential initial consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the UK allow dual citizenship?
Yes. The UK has no general restriction on British nationals holding citizenship of another country simultaneously. You can hold a Grenada, Maltese, Portuguese, or Turkish passport alongside your British passport. The UK will not require you to renounce British citizenship when you acquire a foreign nationality in most circumstances.
Will I lose my British citizenship if I become a citizen of another country?
In most cases, no. British citizenship is not automatically lost when you acquire a foreign nationality. The main exception is if you voluntarily renounce British citizenship — a formal process you would need to initiate. Certain historic categories of British nationality (British Overseas Citizenship, for example) can be lost on acquisition of another nationality, but full British citizenship is generally retained.
Are there countries that will require me to give up my original citizenship when I naturalise there?
Yes. Some countries do not permit dual citizenship and require applicants to renounce their original nationality before or shortly after naturalisation. Major examples include India, China, Singapore, Japan, and some others. (Germany historically restricted dual citizenship but liberalised its rules from June 2024 and now broadly permits it.) Caribbean CBI programmes and most EU countries (including Malta, Portugal, Greece) permit dual citizenship.
Does dual citizenship affect security clearance in the UK?
Holding dual citizenship does not automatically disqualify someone from UK security clearance, but it may affect the clearance level available, require additional vetting, and in some cases (particularly where the second citizenship is from a country considered a security concern by the UK government) it may complicate clearance. Those with security clearance obligations should take specific advice before acquiring a second citizenship.
Can I use my foreign passport to enter the UK instead of my British passport?
British citizens should normally use their British passport to enter and leave the UK — this is a legal obligation. Using a foreign passport does not negate UK citizenship, but entering the UK on a foreign passport creates ambiguity and could complicate matters. Always use your British passport for UK entry.
This guide is for general information only and does not constitute legal, financial or immigration advice. Programme details change; verify current requirements with a qualified immigration lawyer before making any investment or application. Investment values can fall as well as rise.