What is the difference between second and dual citizenship

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What is the difference between a second citizenship and dual citizenship?

The issues of citizenship and rights related to it grow more and more relevant with each day. This interest is fueled by processes of globalization, migration and the need for legal protection.

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What is the difference between a second citizenship and dual citizenship?

Difference between second and dual citizenship

The issues of citizenship and rights related to it grow more and more relevant with each day. This interest is fueled by processes of globalization, migration and the need for legal protection. This is the context in which the two terms — second citizenship and dual citizenship — come up most often. Despite their similarities, those two terms have very different meanings and legal ramifications. Let’s take a look at what makes dual and second citizenship different from one another.

20.12.2024

Second citizenship

Dual citizenship

Second citizenship essentially means owning a second passport. This type of citizenship can be acquired in various ways, for example:

Investing into the country’s economy. Some countries offer special programs for obtaining second citizenship through investments into the economy, real estate or foundations.
Ancestry. People can get a second passport if they have direct ancestors who were citizens of that country.
Marriage with a citizen. An individual can get second citizenship by marrying a citizen of the country.

Note that even though many countries allow having second citizenship, some governments still don’t acknowledge it.

Main traits of dual citizenship:

Wider access to international opportunities. Owners of the second citizenship can travel, work and study in the country in which they got that citizenship without limitations.
Protection of assets. Second citizenship can be useful when it comes to protecting one’s assets and property from turmoil and uncertainty in their home country.
Tax efficiency. Some countries offer favourable tax regulations for foreigners which is a point of interest for businessmen and entrepreneurs.

What are the main differences?

Advantages of the second citizenship are the following:

How to obtain second citizenship?

Dual citizenship suggests that the individual is a citizen of two countries at the same time and is subject to rights and obligations of both. It can happen when country A acknowledges the citizenship acquired from country B and the other way around. As a general rule, dual citizenship is allowed in the countries that signed appropriate bilateral agreements.

Legal status. The owner of a dual citizenship has the right to fully participate in the life of both countries, which includes complete access to voting and social benefits.
Obligations before both countries. The citizen must follow the law of both countries at the same time, including tax obligations, military service, etc.

Legislative recognition. Not all countries acknowledge dual citizenship while second citizenship doesn’t require such acknowledgement. For example, in certain jurisdictions the second country can’t demand the citizen to renounce their first citizenship.
Rights and obligations. Dual citizenship suggests that the individual has equal rights and obligations in both countries while second citizenship might not provide all citizen rights (for example, limited voting rights).
Rules of acquisition. The procedures of obtaining second citizenship and dual citizenship are different. Dual citizenship usually goes through an automatic acceptance while second citizenship might require the applicant to go through additional procedures.
Rules of exiting. Abandoning dual citizenship might return the individual to their original obligations to one of the countries while second citizenship can be cancelled without such significant consequences.

StableGrowz is able to assist with getting second citizenship, providing reliable support all the way through, from consultation on the choice of country to arranging all the required paperwork. We know how to make the entire process smooth and effective so that you could focus on your goals and dreams without additional worries. Contact us and we’ll help to turn your plans into reality!