Dual citizenship - is it worth having - have you done it?
Discussion
Although born and living in the UK I have in theory the possibility of adding another citizenship to my UK one relatively easily (Italian parent).
Without getting into a debate over where this country is heading, or why we might want to leave, I think it might not be a bad idea to having a Plan B for the future, just in case the UK no longer appeals. If we left the UK it would probably only be for somewhere else in Europe that I prefer. What I want is the choice to be able move freely should I want to and if nothing else Brexit has proved that can very easily be lost or taken away.
Not too focused on the work/kids angle or how to pay for it, that would be covered, only interested in the mechanics of maintaining two citizenships.
So my question to anyone who has either done the same or has looked into it, what are the benefits or disadvantages of having two passports/dual citizenships?
Many thanks in advance for any input
(mods - if you can think or a better forum to post this feel free to move)
Without getting into a debate over where this country is heading, or why we might want to leave, I think it might not be a bad idea to having a Plan B for the future, just in case the UK no longer appeals. If we left the UK it would probably only be for somewhere else in Europe that I prefer. What I want is the choice to be able move freely should I want to and if nothing else Brexit has proved that can very easily be lost or taken away.
Not too focused on the work/kids angle or how to pay for it, that would be covered, only interested in the mechanics of maintaining two citizenships.
So my question to anyone who has either done the same or has looked into it, what are the benefits or disadvantages of having two passports/dual citizenships?
Many thanks in advance for any input
(mods - if you can think or a better forum to post this feel free to move)
I've really got to get my arse into gear and apply for an Irish passport (father was Northern Irish), but I totally switch off when it comes to beaurocracy, form-filling and red-tape. Plus the research into actually starting the process.
Add in a dose of procrastination and it's a recipe for disaster.
Add in a dose of procrastination and it's a recipe for disaster.
My Doris has dual citizenship and bar the occasional border control glitch I'd say it's a definite advantage having an EU passport as well as UK. We want to live/retire overseas eventually and now that we're not EU it's a pain in the arse for me. Not insurmountable but still just makes it more difficult than it should be.
981Boxess said:
i4got said:
Make sure you're aware of the recent (2024) changes in Italian citizenship rules.
Which are?That has changed so that the parent has to remain Italian citizen till the child reaches 18.
So eg if your parent naturalised to another country when you were 2 you still could get Italian citizenship. Now the parent has to remain Italian citizenship until you're 18.
https://www.sentiremedia.com/show/anewlifeinitaly/...
https://italylawfirms.com/en/the-minor-issue-and-i...
It looks a bit complicated so I'm just suggesting its worth looking into if you'd always based your eligibility on pre 2024 rules.
I personally think it's worth having an EU and UK passport if you can.
My neighbours are Romanian with UK citizenship, entering America is a PITA with a Romanian one and I suspect the UK passport is a better one to have overall. However they use the Romanian passports more often in Europe.
My neighbours are Romanian with UK citizenship, entering America is a PITA with a Romanian one and I suspect the UK passport is a better one to have overall. However they use the Romanian passports more often in Europe.
I've got UK and Irish. I travel a lot with work and the EU passport has allowed me to get connections I'd otherwise have missed.
I only wish I'd got it before my kids were born as then they'd automatically be entitled to apply for one. I'll now need to enter my birth on the Irish foreign register and then they can apply for one.
Completely ignoring all the benefits for ME, it's also about giving my kids options for the future.
I only wish I'd got it before my kids were born as then they'd automatically be entitled to apply for one. I'll now need to enter my birth on the Irish foreign register and then they can apply for one.
Completely ignoring all the benefits for ME, it's also about giving my kids options for the future.
Rushjob said:
As to the disadvantages of having two passports, the only downside I'm aware of is having to pay for both two passports at renewal and IIRC the UK Passport agency will want you to send your other country passport in along with your UK one when you renew your UK one
I’ve recently renewed my Uk passport and only needed to send a copy of my Irish passport. Every single page though!vixen1700 said:
I've really got to get my arse into gear and apply for an Irish passport (father was Northern Irish), but I totally switch off when it comes to beaurocracy, form-filling and red-tape. Plus the research into actually starting the process.
Add in a dose of procrastination and it's a recipe for disaster.
You should get on with it before things change and as you are born an Irish citizen then it’s so easy for you presuming you have the same surname as your father it really is the easiest way to get one.Add in a dose of procrastination and it's a recipe for disaster.
i4got said:
Prior - a child could get citizenship if at birth their parent was Italian.
That has changed so that the parent has to remain Italian citizen till the child reaches 18.
So eg if your parent naturalised to another country when you were 2 you still could get Italian citizenship. Now the parent has to remain Italian citizenship until you're 18.
https://www.sentiremedia.com/show/anewlifeinitaly/...
https://italylawfirms.com/en/the-minor-issue-and-i...
It looks a bit complicated so I'm just suggesting its worth looking into if you'd always based your eligibility on pre 2024 rules.
Thanks for the explanation, I am ok there.That has changed so that the parent has to remain Italian citizen till the child reaches 18.
So eg if your parent naturalised to another country when you were 2 you still could get Italian citizenship. Now the parent has to remain Italian citizenship until you're 18.
https://www.sentiremedia.com/show/anewlifeinitaly/...
https://italylawfirms.com/en/the-minor-issue-and-i...
It looks a bit complicated so I'm just suggesting its worth looking into if you'd always based your eligibility on pre 2024 rules.
Deep Thought said:
Gives you options for the future.
We have UK and Irish passports. Opens doors for where we can retire to.
That is the current thinking, I may never use it but as I said above it is a Plan B and if the option of being able to do it is ever removed then I will have lost the opportunity.We have UK and Irish passports. Opens doors for where we can retire to.
Other than whatever it costs I cannot see any downside based on what has been posted here.
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