COMPARE: Which European countries have the strictest rules on dual citizenship?

"Being a citizen of your country of long-term residence brings a lot of advantages, especially when it comes to peace of mind, but some countries in Europe have far stricter rules than others. However, gaining citizenship in another state is not a walk in the park. Beyond the bureaucratic headache, and varying residency rules and exceptions, some countries may require to give up the nationality of origin as a result of the process."

"Austria only waives the requirement to renounce previous citizenship if this is in the special interest of the state on the basis of extraordinary achievements in the past or expected in the future. Austrians at birth can maintain citizenship if they apply to do so before acquiring another nationality and if this is justified by special circumstances, for instance if losing it would have a severe detrimental impact on their ability to work."

Citizenship of a long-term residence country provides advantages and peace of mind, but European states apply widely varying rules. Gaining another state's citizenship involves bureaucracy, residency rules, exceptions, and sometimes a requirement to renounce the original nationality. Austria, Germany and Spain generally do not allow dual citizenship and typically require renunciation unless exceptional circumstances apply. In Austria, acquiring Austrian citizenship by conferral usually causes loss of foreign citizenship and the rule also applies when Austrians acquire another nationality. Austria may waive renunciation for special state interest based on extraordinary achievements. Austrians born with citizenship can retain it if they apply before acquiring another nationality and justify special circumstances. Children with at least one Austrian parent are Austrian and can hold dual citizenship, though the other state involved may impose decision requirements at majority.

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