Nationals

Nationals are individuals who owe allegiance to a state under its nationality laws and are entitled to its protection. The term is used in international law and in many domestic legal systems to describe the formal link between a person and a country. In practice, the word can carry different implications depending on the jurisdiction; in some systems nationality and citizenship are distinct concepts, while in others they are closely linked.

Acquisition and loss of nationality are typically governed by birth, descent, or naturalization. Nationality by birth may arise from jus soli (birth within a country) or jus sanguinis (birth to national parents). Naturalization provides a path for foreigners to acquire nationality after fulfilling specific residence or integration requirements. Some states also confer nationality through marriage or special programs. Nationality can be lost by renunciation, deprivation for wrongdoing or disloyalty, or when eligibility conditions change. Many countries allow dual or multiple nationality, but others restrict or prohibit it.

Rights and duties associated with nationality include protection by the state abroad, eligibility for a passport, and certain legal duties such as obedience to laws and, in some systems, compulsory military service. Political rights—such as voting or holding office—are often tied to citizenship rather than simply nationality, though practices vary.

Statelessness arises when a person is not recognized as a national by any state, often leaving gaps in protection and access to fundamental rights. The concept of nationals thus sits at the core of nationality law, immigration policy, and human rights, with variations across legal systems that affect how individuals acquire, hold, or lose their national status.