Nationalities

National ity is the legal relationship between an individual and a state, typically conferring rights such as protection and the ability to participate in public life, along with duties like obedience to the state’s laws. The term is also used in ordinary language to describe a person’s membership in a national or ethnic community, but in law the binding link is with a state.

Nationality is usually acquired at birth by jus soli (birth within a country) or jus sanguinis (descent from a citizen). It can also be obtained later through naturalization, marriage, or special programs. Nationality can be lost or renounced, and many countries allow dual or multiple nationalities, while others require choosing one.

Nationality is a legal concept distinct from ethnicity, language, or culture. While people may share a nationality with a cultural nation, the state-based notion governs rights, duties, and international relationships, including passport issuance and diplomatic protection.

Statelessness arises when a person lacks any nationality, leaving them without legal protection or access to basic rights. International law and agencies work to prevent statelessness and to facilitate naturalization.

In practice, nationality is evidenced by a passport or national ID and affects political rights, consular protection abroad, eligibility for public office, taxation, and military obligations where applicable.