Obtaining a second passport - worth it?

[Margomyhero]

I have been considering applying for a second passport to bypass any possible difficulties entering European countries in the future after Brexit.

My DF is Hungarian. He was born there so as far as I know I should be able to get one.

Has anyone done similar? Is it likely to be worth the effort.

I speak no Hungarian other than yes, no and thank you very much..

Well I’m still planning on travelling with the rest of the family but we might save money on visas and they can go and collect the luggage while I’m stuck in a long “rest of the world” queue at passport control!!

they can go and collect the luggage while I’m stuck in a long “rest of the world” queue at passport control!!

Returning from a holiday before the UK was in the EU, myself and brother volunteered to go with DF through the "bloody foreigners" channel, while DM went through the "British Citizen" channel with babe-in-arms-DB.

We sailed through, but it took DM 30 minutes to clear her channel. DF (only half) joked that it was because they knew the British love queuing and moaning, so it was a perfect place for them. (A joke made in English, btw, just to big up how hard DF worked at it).

Hoppinggreen I would hold off with getting more German passports unless you have confirmation that you can all still be dual citizens after Brexit. Afaik Germany only allows dual citizenship with other EU countries, which would NOT include Britain after March.

To everyone considering dual nationality/ citizenship for the sake of travel, please be aware of the pitfalls - specifically, your very real and legal responsibilities in that specific country. It may not happen any time soon, but consider what you'd be prepared to do for your country in times of war, national financial shortages or any legal responsibility for your children to have to complete some form of military/ citizen's service as they come of age.

@Wormzy - I've apparently been a dual citizen for over 50 years. No military service in Ireland. Uk passport says very clearly (at least old blue ones did) that British passport does not protect you from a call up in the other country. Still waiting.

bellinisurge I'd be more worried for children who are dragged into this tbh. We've been living in unusually peaceful times; history being just that I cannot see it last another 50-70 years.

What happens if, say, Ireland as part of the EU are being dragged into a war and every citizen is required to do their duty? What would happen if - god forbid - the UK found itself on the other side of a conflict with a country you hold a passport in? How would loyalties be defined, how would you potentially be treated?

It's all, of course, rather worst-case thinking, but I would caution anyone who considers getting a different/ dual passport without thinking carefully about the implications. It's so much more than a travel document.

My Irish mum lived through the aftermath of civil war. My dad was in WWII. I know we are living through a time of peace. I don't take it for granted. Which is why I voted Remain.

I’m having to decide if I should get a British passport. I’m Irish but live in uk and DH is British. DS was born in Ireland so has always had an Irish passport but we are about to get him a British one as well. DH has always wanted him to have one but I said there was no point as we were all EU and nobody would be stupid enough to change that. Came back to but me on the bum that one.

I’m struggling though. I’m really proud of being Irish. Hate the whole bloody Brexit fiasco. But logically it makes sense to get a British passport I suppose.

@Peridot1 I'm on my way to getting a British passport, too. I already have PR, but still need to pass the LiUK test and prove my ability to speak English (been teaching here for over a decade - why that sort of thing isn't taken into consideration I don't know).

If you're Irish, I'm not sure I'd bother with a British passport. Yet. UK and Ireland will still have a CTA - I don't think that will change. There was a recent rogue Home Office decision suggesting the contrary but the HO has issued a statement correcting that. After Windrush, I can see why no-one should take UK HO sanity for granted but I do doubt there will be issues for Irish citizens. I may well have to eat my words but hope not.

Didn’t think Brexit would happen. But it has done. Or is doing. So as you say why take sanity for granted.

I just figure it may make life easier travelling in and out.

I have a British one and I got an Irish one due to Brexit. The Irish embassy was bombarded with requests

I don't think it is worth it is likely to cost hundreds if not thousands of pounds by the time you have paid all the fees, got your documents translated into Hungarian.

There is no way we will be banned from travelling to Europe. The worst case, we will have to apply for a visa. You can get a 5 year Schengen for 60 euros which is much cheaper than acquiring another citizenship.

winebottle
You're right in relation to travel only. A passport is much more than that, it gives you rights: the unrestricted right to live and work in another country. A Hungarian passport gives you access to 28 countries today (still counting the UK in)

There is no way we will be banned from travelling to Europe. The worst case, we will have to apply for a visa.

Probably a good idea to go to the horses mouth

europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/travel/entry-exit/non-eu-nationals/index_en.htm

eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/ALL/?uri=CELEX:32001R0539

Criminal record checks may also apply - if you have any convictions you might not be guaranteed entry.

Wormzy that isn't correct if you hold both citizenships from birth.

Germany allows dual nationality in three circumstances: 1) if you are born with both German and other nationality (which can be either an eu or non-eu nationality) 2) if you later obtain (I.e. become a naturalized citizen) citizenship of another EU country and 3) if you later obtain (become a naturalized citizen) citizenship of a non-EU county and you apply for a Beibehaltungsgenehmigung (permission to retain German citizenship) before acquiring the other nationality.

Obviously scenario 2 will be affected by brexit, but it won't apply if you were born with both nationalities even if you've never held a German passport before.

Also with regard to military service, Germany obviously did have compulsory military service (it no longer does), but citizens were exempted if they were permanently resident outside Germany.

Yes, DH qualifies for dual German/British under 2 I believe
I am concerned that DS could have to do National service but firstly we dont intend to live in Germany but even before it was scrapped it could be non military community service

BlackLamb but not the children in the scenario described by Hoppinggreen, which is what I responded to. And it still remains to be seen what will happen to the dual nationality obtained after birth once Britain leaves the EU - there is no precedent, there are no current laws to cover this and I haven't seen a declaration yet as to whether dual citizens would be allowed to hold on to their dual citizenship.

My main point was also (specific examples aside) that citizenship is not just an easy travel document. From what I have been reading on MN here, I believe some people are incredibly naive to simply take on a second nationality without thinking about possible future implications. Citizen service sprang to mind as one example, but the list of citizen's duties and their possible changes in the face of globalisation and future conflict is as extensive as you can imagine it to be.

wormzy
Another one here going through naturalisation. Everything you say has gone through my mind. My children were born with 3 citizenships. They've never lived outside the UK though. I couldn't abide a situation where I may not have the same rights and could ever be deported so I'm doing the only thing that should confer sufficient rights to not worry about that.
I'm worried of course of ever being in a situation where I might have to choose. Or for my children to have to choose. Naturalised people and dual nationals are never well treated in times of war (internment of Japanese Americans in WWII for ex.) I pray it will never ever come to that.
Beyond those concerns, naturalising is in fact a deeply existential process. It makes you question your identity. It's made me really think about my ties and relationship with my country origin. If one's been gone for decades, it can be harder than expected.

From what I have been reading on MN here, I believe some people are incredibly naive to simply take on a second nationality without thinking about possible future implications.

Only seems to be matching some who voted Leave without thinking about possible future implications

Totally thinking about the implications. The implications of Brexit are much worse.

What happens if, say, Ireland as part of the EU are being dragged into a war and every citizen is required to do their duty?

Ireland is a neutral country. Even if there is an EU army in the future Ireland will not be part of it.

OP having a second passport is useful, even beyond the obvious things of retaining EU rights. You lose one or didn’t notice one expired, then there’s no panic.

As pp has said:Ireland is a neutral country. It was in World War II for example. Irish citizens chose to fight in the British Army or in other ways - have relatives who did. But it was not an obligation.

We have and are still carefully thinking about the implications
It’s why DH and the dc would only have dual nationality than just German so they could potentially choose which one is better if that becomes necessary
The costs aren’t too high (DHs has cost us around £150) so we think it’s an insurance policy worth taking out

Irish citizens chose to fight in the British Army or in other ways - have relatives who did. But it was not an obligation.

And were treated pretty badly on their return ....