• Who can have dual nationality?
• What does it entail to have dual nationality?
• What happens to my old citizenship when I become Norwegian?

Who can have dual nationality?

Pursuant to Norwegian law a person cannot in principle be a national of two countries. A Norwegian national who has been granted citizenship in another country after he/she has applied for it, has given notification to be a citizen of another country or has explicitly agreed to be a national of another country automatically forfeits his/her Norwegian citizenship. This also applies in the case where a child becomes a citizen of another country as a result of the parents'/guardians' s application, notification or agreement. If you apply for Norwegian citizenship, you can be required to renounce your previous citizenship if you do not automatically forfeit it.

In certain cases, however, the law permits an applicant to be a citizen of more than one country. This applies in the following cases, among others:

• If you are born with dual nationality because you have Norwegian and foreign citizenship through your parents (for example a Norwegian mother and a foreign father)
• If you are born to Norwegian parents in a country that applies the territorial principle (anyone born in a country becomes a citizen of that country) In that case, you can have both Norwegian citizenship and citizenship of the country of your birth.
• If you have applied for Norwegian citizenship and it is not possible for you to renounce your original citizenship
• If a child born before 1 Septmeber 2006 becomes Norwegian by notification, see "Who can become a Norwegian citizen by notification?"

What does it entail to have dual nationality?

With dual nationality, you have rights and obligations to two different states. If you renounce your previous citizenship, you will only have rights and obligations to Norway.

Rights in connection with dual nationality

• You are entitled to have two passports. Norwegian permits will not, however, be stamped in your foreign passport since you are also a Norwegian national.
• You are entitled to protection from the authorities of both countries.
• You will be regarded as a full Norwegian citizen on a par with other Norwegian nationals.

Please note that it may be difficult for Norwegian authorities to give you diplomatic help if you are staying in the other country of which you are also a citizen.

Obligations in connection with dual nationality

With dual nationality, you are obliged to perform your national service (military service) in the country in which you are permanently resident. This applies in most European countries and the USA. You do not normally have to perform your national service in the other country of which you are a citizen.

Questions in this connection can be addressed to: The National Service Administration, Postmottak, 2617 Lillehammer: e-mail: vpv@mil.no.

What happens to my old citizenship when I become Norwegian?

Although Norwegian law is based on the principle that dual nationality is not acceptable, Norwegian authorities cannot answer for what legislation in your home country says about citizenship.

Frequently asked questions:

• Do I automatically forfeit my original citizenship when I become Norwegian?
• Can I keep my original citizenship after having been granted Norwegian citizenship?
• Can I renounce my original citizenship?

Such questions must be addressed to the relevant authorities in your home country, or the country’s embassy or High Commissioner in Norway or abroad. Several countries have also made information about citizenship available on the internet.