Holding multiple citizenships means being a legal citizen of more than one country simultaneously. This can happen through birth, where a person inherits citizenship from parents of different countries or from the country where they were born. Some people gain additional citizenships through naturalization after meeting residency requirements.

In recent years, wealthy individuals have found ways to buy citizenship in certain countries, usually by investing large sums of money. This can offer benefits like visa-free travel, tax advantages, and a backup plan if they need to relocate.

On the other hand, geopolitical situations can also leave people with multiple citizenships. For instance, people in regions with shifting borders or historical conflicts might find themselves eligible for citizenship in multiple countries. A notable example is a group with Chinese heritage in Timor Leste who ended up eligible for five citizenships due to the island’s complex history.