Nationality facts for kids

Nationality is about your legal connection to a country. It's like being officially recognized as belonging to a specific state. For example, if you are Swedish, you have a legal relationship with the country of Sweden. While nationality is similar to citizenship, most people in a country usually have both.

When someone has dual nationality, it means they have a legal connection to two different countries at the same time. An example is someone who is connected to both the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland. The specific rights and duties that people have, and what countries expect from them, can be different in each nation.

What is Nationality?

Nationality is your official link to a country. It means you are recognized by that country's laws. This connection gives you certain rights and also some duties. It's how a country knows you are one of its own.

Nationality vs. Citizenship

Nationality and citizenship are often confused. They are very similar, but not exactly the same. Nationality is your legal bond with a state. It shows where you belong in the world. Citizenship usually means you have more specific rights. These rights often include voting or holding a passport. Most people who have a nationality also have citizenship in that same country.

Understanding Dual Nationality

Sometimes, a person can have a legal connection to two countries at once. This is called dual nationality. It means you are considered a national of two different states. For example, you might be a national of both the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland. This can happen for many reasons. It might be because of where you were born. It could also be because of your parents' nationalities.

Rights and Duties

Having a nationality comes with both rights and duties. These can be very different from one country to another. For example, one country might allow its nationals to vote at age 18. Another country might have a different voting age. Your duties might include following the laws of that country. They could also include paying taxes if you live there. Each country sets its own rules for its nationals.

Images for kids

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  An immigration sign at Shanghai Pudong International Airport. It uses the term "Chinese nationals" for people from China.