Does the United States allow dual citizenship? (2026)
Yes — but US citizens are taxed on worldwide income wherever they live. That's the real catch.
The United States permits dual and multiple citizenship — it doesn't require you to renounce another nationality, and naturalising Americans keep their old passport in practice. The catch isn't legal, it's fiscal: the US taxes its citizens on worldwide income no matter where they live, so a US passport is a lifelong tax tie.
Does the United States allow dual citizenship?
US law allows dual citizenship. The naturalisation oath mentions renouncing prior allegiances, but the US doesn't enforce loss of your other nationality, and Americans who naturalise elsewhere don't lose US citizenship unless they formally renounce it with that intent.
The catch to watch
The United States is one of the only countries that uses citizenship-based taxation rather than residence. As a dual citizen you must file US returns and report foreign accounts (FBAR/FATCA) for life, wherever you live — and shedding that means formally renouncing, which can trigger an exit tax. The Foreign Earned Income Exclusion reduces the bill but rarely ends the obligation.
How dual citizenship arises
Most US dual citizens are American by birth (in the US, or to US-citizen parents abroad) who later gain another nationality, or foreigners who naturalise as Americans while keeping their original passport.
At a glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Dual citizenship | Allowed |
| Must renounce? | No |
| Key catch | Citizenship-based (worldwide) taxation |
| How acquired | Birth, descent, naturalisation |
| Passport | Very strong — ~185+ visa-free |
Where it fits in a borderless plan
A second nationality is one flag of several. Pair it with a low-tax tax residency and a self-custody plan for your Bitcoin. New to this? See which countries allow dual citizenship, or claim one through ancestry.
Frequently asked questions
Does the US allow dual citizenship?
Yes — the United States permits dual and multiple citizenship. It doesn't require you to renounce another nationality, and holding a second passport doesn't jeopardise your US citizenship.
Do US dual citizens pay US taxes abroad?
Yes — the US taxes citizens on worldwide income regardless of where they live, so US dual citizens must keep filing US returns and reporting foreign accounts. The Foreign Earned Income Exclusion reduces but rarely eliminates the tie.
How do I stop being taxed by the US?
Only by formally renouncing US citizenship — which can trigger an exit tax for wealthier individuals. Simply living abroad doesn't end US tax obligations.
Official sources
Rules change — always confirm the current position with the primary authority:
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