Chile

Dual Citizenship Chile

Allowed

Chilean nationality is based on both ius soli and ius sanguinis principles. Individuals can acquire Chilean nationality after birth through two processes: nacionalización (naturalization) and nacionalización por gracia, which refers to nationality granted by laws passed by Congress in special cases.

To qualify for naturalization, applicants must meet the following criteria:

1. Be at least 18 years old at the time of application.
2. Have resided in Chile continuously for five or more years.
3. Hold a definitive residence permit.
4. Have no criminal records for serious offenses in the last ten years or for minor offenses in the last five years.

Foreign children who are at least 14 years old may apply for Chilean citizenship if they have resided in Chile for at least five years, possess a definitive residence permit, and have the consent of their parent or legal guardian.

Children of refugees can apply for Chilean citizenship if at least one of their parents has been granted Chilean nationality.

There is also a process known as "Qualified Naturalization," which allows individuals with permanent residency who can demonstrate two years of continuous residence to apply for naturalization, provided they have one of the following connections to the Republic of Chile:

1. They are the spouse of a Chilean citizen for at least two years, with the marriage registered in Chile, and have cohabited during that time, unless compelling circumstances prevent this.
2. They are blood relatives of Chilean citizens up to the second degree, or those who have been adopted by Chileans.
3. They are a child whose parent was Chilean but lost Chilean nationality prior to the child’s birth.

According to Chilean legislation, having a child born on Chilean soil does not facilitate the naturalization process and only paves the way for residence permits.

Dual and multiple citizenships are both allowed under Chilean law. A Chilean citizen who acquires a second citizenship does not lose their original nationality. Likewise, foreign nationals who obtain Chilean citizenship are not required to renounce their original nationality. Chilean citizens are not required to register or justify their dual citizenship status.

According to the Political Constitution of the Republic of Chile and by application of the ius sanguinis principle, children and grandchildren of Chilean citizens may be registered as Chilean if they can provide evidence that their parents or grandparents were Chilean.

In addition, the below are some methods of acquiring Chilean citizenship as explained in the previous section:

1. The naturalization of the children of refugees that have been granted naturalization.
2. The process of “Qualified Naturalization,” through which an individual may apply for Chilean citizenship if they have resided in Chile for two years and meet the following criteria:
   1. They have Chilean relatives up to the second degree of consanguinity or have been adopted by a Chilean citizen; or
   2. They have a parent who was Chilean but lost their nationality.