For many immigrants, including Nigerians, Europe remains one of the top four global destinations for migration, offering opportunities for education, employment, and the prospect of long-term settlement.
A 2024 report from the EU’s migration‑policy platform estimates that over 260,000 Nigerians currently reside in the European Union, highlighting the continent’s growing appeal to those seeking new prospects abroad
For many, obtaining the citizenship of these countries is the ultimate goal, a milestone that promises greater security, mobility, and access to opportunities.
Yet, in some EU nations, achieving this goal is complicated by strict dual‑citizenship restrictions.
These rules prevent individuals from holding multiple nationalities, meaning that migrants may be required to renounce their original citizenship to acquire a new one. Dual‑citizenship restrictions are designed to ensure clear lines of allegiance and accountability, addressing concerns such as taxation, military service, and political rights.
In some nations, culture plays a role, as citizenship is closely tied to national identity and social cohesion, and allowing multiple nationalities is seen as potentially weakening that unity.
Understanding which countries enforce these restrictions and the limitations at stake is therefore crucial for anyone planning to migrate.
Here are the 12 EU countries that restrict or do not allow dual citizenship
San Marino maintains one of the strictest citizenship frameworks in Europe, and its refusal to allow dual citizenship is tied to its size, identity, and governance model. As one of the world’s smallest and oldest republics, the state places a high value on preserving a unified national identity.
The government believes dual citizenship could weaken this sense of cohesion, especially in a country with a population of just over 30,000 people. By insisting on exclusive allegiance, San Marino aims to prevent conflicting loyalties and ensure that every citizen is fully committed to the obligations and responsibilities of the republic.
Citizenship in San Marino is primarily acquired by descent, and even this pathway is narrow. A child can only obtain citizenship automatically if both parents are Sammarinese. If only one parent is a citizen, the child must live in San Marino until adulthood before gaining full recognition.
Foreign nationals seeking to naturalise face one of the longest residency requirements in the world. Anyone pursuing citizenship must live in San Marino for 30 uninterrupted years before they can apply. Even spouses of Sammarinese citizens are only eligible after 15 years of marriage and residence.
Applicants must also demonstrate good character, integration into society, and an understanding of the republic’s civic values. Most importantly, they must renounce their previous nationality, since San Marino does not permit new citizens to retain another passport.
