nacionalidade

Nationalidade refers to the legal bond between an individual and a state. It constitutes a protected status and set of duties, and it determines eligibility for rights such as a passport, diplomatic protection, and participation in political life. Nationalidade is a legal status distinct from ethnicity, race, or cultural identity, although these aspects can influence how nationality is perceived and exercised.

Acquisition is typically achieved through birth within a country's territory (jus soli), by descent from a national parent (jus sanguinis), or by naturalization after meeting residence and integration requirements. Some jurisdictions recognize dual or multiple nationalities, allowing individuals to hold more than one nationality, while others may require renunciation of previous nationalities.

Rights and duties associated with nationality vary by country but commonly include state protection abroad, eligibility for social benefits, and participation in elections. Duties may include allegiance to the state, taxation, and, in certain contexts, military service. The balance of rights and duties is defined by national law and can differ significantly between jurisdictions.

Loss and renunciation involve voluntarily giving up nationality, deprivation by a state, or acquisition of another nationality. Most states seek to avoid statelessness and therefore regulate renunciation to ensure that individuals do not become stateless.

International law treats nationality as primarily a domestic matter, but it also addresses issues of statelessness and protection of persons who lose or lack nationality through instruments such as the statelessness conventions. Nationalidade lives at the intersection of immigration, human rights, and citizenship practices, and varies widely around the world.