Nasjonalitet

Nationality, or nasjonalitet in Norwegian, is the legal bond between a person and a state. It signifies membership in a political community and determines eligibility for rights and protection, such as a passport, the right to vote, and access to public services. Nationality is a legal status and is not the same as ethnicity, culture, language, or place of birth.

Nationalitets can be acquired by different paths. The most common are birth within a country (jus soli) or by descent from citizens (jus sanguinis). Many countries also offer naturalization after a period of lawful residence, language and civics requirements, and other criteria. Some regimes have special routes for spouses, adopted children, or recognized refugees. It is possible for a person to hold multiple nationalities, though rules vary by country, and some states restrict or prohibit dual citizenship.

Loss and deprivation are possible in some jurisdictions. Nationality may be renounced or revoked for reasons such as fraud in the naturalization process or acts considered harmful to the state. Statelessness can occur if a person loses nationality and cannot acquire another; international law seeks to reduce and prevent statelessness.

Legal frameworks define how nationality is obtained, held, and lost. Nationality affects access to rights and duties, such as political participation, social benefits, and consular protection abroad. It also shapes mobility, as travel documents and visa regimes are tied to nationality. International conventions address issues around stateless persons and the protection of individuals’ rights regardless of nationality.