Get Your Mauritania Dual Citizenship – Learn How to Apply
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Eligibility Overview
- By Birth: Individuals born in Mauritania to at least one Mauritanian parent typically acquire citizenship by birth.
- By Descent: Citizenship may be passed to children born abroad if one parent is Mauritanian, subject to registration with local authorities.
- By Marriage : Foreign women married to Mauritanian men may apply for citizenship after certain residence and integration requirements. The law is not gender-equal — foreign men married to Mauritanian women do not receive the same right.
- By Naturalization: Foreign nationals can apply after 10 years of residence, or 5 years if they provide notable service or investment. Must be Muslim and demonstrate integration.
- Special Exception – Dual Citizenship Not Allowed: Mauritania does not officially recognize dual citizenship. Individuals who acquire another nationality may lose Mauritanian citizenship under Article 31 of the nationality code.
Note: Mauritania applies Islamic law to its citizenship policies. Religious affiliation (Islam) is a requirement for naturalization. Gender disparities still exist in citizenship transmission and spousal rights.
Step-by-Step Process
- Confirm eligibility by descent, birth, marriage, or long-term residence.
- Apply at the Ministry of the Interior or through a Mauritanian embassy abroad.
- Provide relevant documents and complete background checks and interviews.
- Renounce any previous nationality (if required) and take an oath of allegiance.
Benefits of Mauritanian Citizenship
- Right to live, work, and own land in Mauritania
- Access to state healthcare, education, and civil service roles
- Pass citizenship to children (paternal line prioritized)
- Increased ability to engage in public and political life
Frequently asked questions.
Does Mauritania allow dual citizenship?
No. Mauritanian law prohibits dual citizenship. Individuals who voluntarily acquire another nationality may lose Mauritanian citizenship.
Can I claim Mauritanian citizenship through my mother?
In practice, transmission through the maternal line is limited and often denied unless the father is unknown or stateless. The law prioritizes paternal descent.
Can a foreign spouse become a citizen?
Yes, but only foreign women married to Mauritanian men can apply more easily. The law does not grant this right equally to foreign husbands.
Is Islam required for naturalization?
Yes. Only Muslims can naturalize in Mauritania, per the country’s legal and religious framework.
Do I have to pay taxes in Mauritania if I become a citizen?
Mauritania taxes income earned in-country. There is no income tax on foreign earnings unless you are a resident receiving them locally.