Nationality

Legal relationship between a person and a state.

citizenship national identity

Nationality refers to the legal relationship between a person and a state, granting them rights and obligations. It is typically acquired through birth, descent, or naturalization.

/nəˈʃɪnəˌlɪti/

Derived from the French 'nationalité', meaning ‘condition of being a nation’.

Nationality is like being a citizen of a country - it means you belong to that nation and have certain rights and responsibilities.

The concept of nationality as we know it today developed in the late 18th and early 19th centuries
Some countries offer citizenship by descent, allowing people to claim nationality through their parents or grandparents
Statelessness is a legal condition where a person isn't considered a national of any state

What does nationality mean? It's a legal relationship between an individual and a state
How is it different from citizenship? Citizenship refers to the legal right to live in a country, while nationality is broader and can exist even without residency
Can someone have multiple nationalities? Yes, dual or multiple nationality is possible

citizenship national status

legal status identity

citizenship statelessness

identity legal system

legal concept social construct