A little-known treaty, signed by 29 nations of the continent, defines who can become naturalized citizens, hold dual citizenship, and even how to fulfill military obligations.
It is European Convention on NationalityThis is a legal framework ignored by many, but it can change the lives of those who live or wish to live in Europe. The text was signed in 1997 in Strasbourg, France.
A new approach to multiple nationalities.
Before the 1997 convention, the prevailing rule came from a 1963 treaty, which considered multiple nationality undesirable. This understanding changed with the growth of migration, marriages between people of different nationalities, and the principle of equality between men and women.
According to the teacher Maarten VinkAccording to , holder of the Chair of Citizenship Studies at the Robert Schuman Centre of the European University Institute in Florence, the convention “introduced a new approach to multiple nationality, which was previously restricted by the 1963 convention, but has come to be seen increasingly as a demographic reality in the context of gender equality and mixed-origin families, where both parents can pass on their citizenship to their children.”
He adds that the treaty “offers a neutral, rather than restrictive, approach.”
At the same time, it ensures "some basic standards in the field of nationality for the new democracies that emerged in Eastern Europe after 1989, as well as promoting a certain harmonization of the criteria for acquiring and losing nationality in the different European states, in a context of long-standing migration."
Signatory countries and ratification
Countries that signed the convention include Italy, PortugalSpain, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Türkiye, Germany, France and Ukraine.
However, eight countries have not yet ratified the text, which means they are not legally obligated to implement it. These are: Italy, Croatia, France, Greece, Latvia, Malta, Poland, and Russia.
Rules for naturalization and children's rights
The convention stipulates that people legally and habitually residing in a country should have the possibility of becoming naturalized. The required residency period cannot exceed ten years, and the processes must be completed within a reasonable timeframe, with appropriate fees and the possibility of administrative or judicial appeal.
Domestic legislation in countries should recognize that children born to one of their citizens automatically acquire nationality, with some exceptions for births abroad.
Citizenship should be made easier for children of nationals, whether adopted or naturalized, including by easing residency requirements, language barriers, and costs.
Distinctions between foreign male and female spouses should be eliminated, and both parents should have the right to pass on their nationality to their children.
Children born and residing in the country, stateless persons, refugees, and abandoned minors should also have easier access to citizenship.
Non-discrimination and equal rights
The convention establishes that there can be no discrimination in the rules for acquiring citizenship based on sex, religion, race, color, or national or ethnic origin.
This equality should also extend to rights and duties after obtaining citizenship, ensuring that naturalized citizens have the same rights as those born into nationality.
However, a recent study by the Global Citizenship Observatory (GLOBALCIT)According to a study by the European University Institute, discrimination still exists. Many cases of loss of citizenship particularly affect naturalized citizens.
Military obligations and multiple nationalities
For people with multiple nationalities, the convention provides clear rules regarding military obligations.
These citizens are required to perform military service only in the country where they habitually reside. Until the age of 19, they may choose to serve in another signatory country of which they are also nationals.
Those living in a country where military service is not mandatory will be considered exempt if they are habitual residents of that country, but this exemption does not automatically extend to other nationalities.
Anyone who has already performed military or civil service in a signatory country is considered to have completed their service in relation to other signatory countries of which they are also a national.
Loss and recovery of citizenship
Loss of citizenship can only occur in specific situations. These include the voluntary acquisition of another nationality, fraud in the naturalization process, involvement with foreign armed forces, or actions against the vital interests of the country.
Another possibility is when there is no effective link between the citizen and the country, especially in the case of people residing abroad.
The convention prohibits the withdrawal of citizenship in cases that result in statelessness. It also recommends facilitating the restoration of nationality for former citizens who reside legally in the country.
Current discussion about military service rekindles interest in the convention.
The relevance of the convention returned to public debate after the German parliament approved, last Friday (12/12), a law that reintroduces military service on a voluntary basis, with the possibility of recruitment as needed.
This measure comes amid ongoing discussions about security and defense in Europe, where the issue of military obligations is gaining traction.
In this scenario, the guidelines of European Convention on Nationality They are once again becoming an important benchmark for guiding public policies, especially with regard to people with multiple nationalities.
click here to download The full text of the European Convention on Nationality, signed in 1997 in Strasbourg, France.
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Mauro Tanner
December 14, 2025 at 10:19 am
So, did Italy sign this convention or not? One paragraph says yes, the next says Italy is among the eight countries that haven't signed yet. This is confusing!