Countries that allow dual citizenship with the UK

The United Kingdom allows dual citizenship, meaning you can be a British citizen and a citizen of another country at the same time. But which other countries allow dual citizenship with the UK? This guide has everything you need to know.

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What is dual citizenship?

Dual citizenship, also known as dual nationality, allows you to simultaneously hold citizenship in two countries.

As well as getting two passports, dual nationality means you can access all the benefits that come with both citizenships, including the right to reside and travel freely within each country.

There are many countries that allow dual nationality with the UK – which we’ll delve into shortly.

📚 British dual citizenship guide

Many individuals also obtain British citizenship by other means, including citizenship by descent and citizenship by investment.

Which countries allow dual citizenship with the UK: List

The UK has dual citizenship agreements with a large number of countries. You can find some popular places below.¹

Australia

Dual nationality has been recognised in the country since 2002.² Those with dual nationality in the UK and Australia can benefit from many things, including renowned public healthcare systems like the NHS in the UK and Medicare in Australia. You can also live, work and study in both countries without a visa or work permit – great for those looking to raise a family down under.

Belgium

Both passports are strong for dual citizens of the UK and Belgium, with individuals able to benefit from Belgium’s freedom of movement within the EU, including unrestricted travel and residency across all EU/EEA countries and Switzerland. Relocating within the European Union is also much easier with a Belgian passport.

Canada

There are many benefits of dual nationality in the UK and Canada, whether that’s cultural and linguistic familiarity, access to leading public education or the option to freely hold assets and own property in each country. Both the UK and The Great White North offer support for entrepreneurs and investors, a particularly attractive incentive for business owners.

Denmark

Being a dual citizen of Denmark and the UK grants you full EU rights, including access to EU educational opportunities like Erasmus+ and subsidised tuition across EU/EEA. Renewed access to the European market and eligibility to work freely in all EU/EEA countries are also strong advantages for business-minded individuals.

Finland

With Finnish and British dual citizenship, you can reside and work freely in both countries, including anywhere in the EU/EEA and Switzerland. Not only does Finland consistently rank at the top of global quality-of-life indexes,³ but the Nordic job market is renowned for its tech and innovation sectors, and excellent work-life balance.

France

Get access to social benefits, pensions and public services with dual nationality in France and the UK, from the French public healthcare system Sécurité Sociale to the UK’s renowned NHS. The mixture of cosmopolitan UK and continental France also makes free movement between the two countries (and the wider EU) distinctly appealing.

Germany

Germany has only recently started offering dual citizenship with the UK,⁴ but the change has put a wealth of benefits on the table. From the ability to live and work between both countries and the EU without visa restrictions, to the right to vote (and stand) in British parliamentary elections. Dual citizens also get access to

public universities in Germany, many offering low or zero tuition fees, even for master’s programs.⁵

Greece

Dual nationality with the UK and Greece restores your access to the European Union following Brexit including freedom of movement, residency and employment across 27 EU nations. The two countries also offer distinct cultures and climates to benefit from, like the UK’s economic and career stability, and Greece’s warm weather and Mediterranean lifestyle.

Ireland

Since Ireland remains part of the EU (unlike Northern Ireland which left with Brexit), those with dual citizenship between Ireland and the UK can travel and settle anywhere in the European Union. Dual citizens can also freely start a business in the UK, Ireland or within the EU, with unrestricted access to all three job markets.

New Zealand

Free movement between New Zealand and the UK offers those with dual nationality to benefit from both the idyllic, relaxed lifestyle Kiwi lifestyle, and the fast-paced, international culture of the UK. New Zealand’s Parent Resident Visa also allows dual citizens to sponsor family members for permanent residency in the country – perfect if the whole family wants to relocate.⁶

Pakistan

Holding dual nationality with Pakistan and the UK is permitted by both countries, meaning those with dual nationality can travel, live, work and study between the two nations freely, often without needing visas. This arrangement is particularly beneficial for individuals maintaining strong family, cultural, or business connections across both locations. Notably, Pakistan has a specific agreement allowing dual nationality with the UK.¹⁶

Portugal

With Portuguese and British dual citizenship, you can travel, live and work in the Schengen Area without visas or restrictions, something UK citizens lost after Brexit. Access to the entire EU job market and the ability to benefit from both the UK’s global economic reach and Portugal’s growing tech and tourism industries are two further advantages for dual citizens.

South Africa

Dual nationality with South Africa and the UK allows you to live and work in both countries without needing a visa, great for those who want a base in both hemispheres. Note that South African citizens aged 18 years or older must first apply to retain their South African citizenship before applying for dual foreign citizenship.⁷

Sweden

Enjoy the freedom of movement, services, and residence across the EU with Swedish and British dual citizenship. Public education, including university, is free for Swedish and EU citizens,⁸ while Sweden has recently ranked the 4th happiest country in the world thanks to its enviable work-life balance and strong social support networks.⁹

Switzerland

Being a dual citizen of the UK and Switzerland not only grants you access to Schengen/EU mobility, but the freedom to work and reside in one of Europe’s safest and most stable nations.¹⁰ With this dual nationality, you can also enjoy comprehensive healthcare access in both systems, including the UK’s NHS service and Switzerland’s healthcare system which was recently ranked the best in Europe.¹¹

United States

Live, work, invest or move freely between two of the world’s most powerful nations with American and British dual citizenship. As a dual citizen, you can buy and sell property in both countries without restrictions, as well as vote in elections.¹² It also makes it easy to move between the UK and US for family, career or personal reasons and avoid lengthy visa processes for both nations.

Paying for your dual citizenship or new passport

When applying for dual citizenship, it’s important to consider any costs related to the process. This could be anything from application fees, immigration lawyers or new passport costs.

For example, if you are applying to become a dual citizen of the UK by naturalization, you need to pay an application fee of £1,630.¹³ This fee includes the cost of your citizenship ceremony.¹⁴

If your application for dual nationality is successful, you’ll also need to apply for a new passport for the country. The cost of a first adult passport in the UK is £88.50 online or £100 when applying with a paper form.¹⁵

Thinking about applying for dual nationality? Whether you’re hoping to become a dual citizen in the UK or another country abroad, a Wise account can help you save on costs, especially if you need to pay in a different currency.

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Sources used in this article:

1. Davidson Morris - countries that allow dual citizenship with the UK
2. U.K. Abroad - dual citizenship in Australia
3. Finland toolbox - quality of life in Finland
4. Turpin Miller - dual citizenship in Germany
5. Study.eu - study for free in Germany
6. New Zealand Immigration - parent resident visa
7. Dirco.gov.za - applying for South African dual citizenship
8. European Commission - free university for Swedish citizens
9. Global Finance - Swedish happiness of life
10. Global Citizen Solutions - Switzerland as the 4th safest country in Europe
11. World Population Review - ranking of healthcare in Europe
12. Immigration Advice Service - voting as a dual citizen
13. Gov.UK - cost of application for naturalization
14. Gov.UK - cost of citizenship ceremony
15. Gov.UK - new passport in the UK
16. Gov.UK - dual citizenship with Pakistan

Sources last checked on date: 08-April-2025