Ciutadania

Ciutadania, in Catalan, refers to the legal bond between an individual and a state that confers membership, rights, duties, and a set of protections. It is typically established by birth within a territory (ius soli), by descent from citizens (ius sanguinis), or through naturalization after meeting residence, language, or integration requirements. Some jurisdictions recognize other modes such as declaration or marriage to a citizen.

Rights associated with ciutadania include civil rights (freedom of expression, movement, religion), political rights (voting, eligibility for public office), and social rights (access to education and healthcare). In federal or supranational contexts, citizenship may also grant the right to participate in governance structures or to move freely between member states.

Duties commonly linked to ciutadania include obedience to laws, paying taxes, serving in the armed forces where required, and participating in civic life, such as jury duty or public consultation. Some duties are specific to a country’s constitutional arrangements and security needs.

Acquisition and loss: Citizenship can be acquired by birth, naturalization, or prolonged residence; it can be lost or revoked for reasons such as fraud in the application, formal renunciation, or acts of treason, subject to legal safeguards and international norms. Statelessness remains a recognized issue in international law.

Global practice varies; many states allow multiple or dual citizenship, while others restrict it. The concept of ciutadania interacts with international law, human rights norms, and, in the European Union, with the right to move and work across member states.