Citizen

Citizen is a legally recognized member of a political community, typically a state, endowed with rights and subject to duties under the law. The term traces to Latin civis, from civitas meaning city or state, and has evolved to refer to a person who belongs to a polity and is entitled to protection and participation within it.

In modern law, citizenship usually includes civil rights, political rights, and social rights. Civil rights protect freedoms such as expression, religion, and property; political rights include the right to vote, stand for office, and participate in public life; social rights cover access to welfare and services. Duties commonly include obedience to laws, paying taxes, and serving on juries or in the military where required. Citizenship may be acquired by birth within a territory (jus soli), by descent (jus sanguinis), or by naturalization after meeting residence and integration requirements. Some jurisdictions permit dual or multiple citizenship; others restrict or prohibit it.

Citizenship status is distinct from nationality and from residency; non-citizens may enjoy limited rights and cannot vote or hold national office. Statelessness occurs when a person is not recognized as a citizen by any state. Debates around citizenship address integration and inclusion of immigrants, and there is ongoing discussion of broader concepts such as global citizenship that transcend national borders. Citizenship laws are jurisdiction-specific and can change over time.