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European Convention on Nationality

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European Convention on Nationality
Signed6 November 1997 (1997-11-06)
LocationStrasbourg
Effective1 March 2000
Condition3 ratifications
Parties21
CitationsETS 166
Languages

The European Convention on Nationality (E.T.S. No. 166[1]) was signed in Strasbourg on 6 November 1997. It is a comprehensive convention of the Council of Europe dealing with the law of nationality. The convention is open for signature by the member States of the Council of Europe and the non-member States which have participated in its elaboration and for accession by other non-member States. The Convention came into force on 1 March 2000 after ratification by 3 countries. As of 2021, the convention has been signed by 29 countries and ratified by 21 of those countries.[2]

Provisions

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Article 4(d) provides that neither marriage nor dissolution of marriage shall automatically affect the nationality of either spouse, nor shall a change of nationality by one spouse during marriage automatically affect the nationality of their spouse. Common practice among states at the beginning of the 20th century was that a woman was to have the nationality of her husband; i.e., upon marrying a foreigner the wife would automatically acquire the nationality of her husband, and lose her previous nationality. Even after the nationality of a married woman was no longer dependent on the nationality of her husband, legal provisions were still retained which automatically naturalised married women, and sometimes married men as well. This led to a number of problems, such as loss of the spouses' original nationality, the spouse losing the right to consular assistance (since consular assistance cannot be provided to nationals under the jurisdiction of a foreign state of which they are also nationals), and becoming subject to military service obligations. Article 4d addresses this situation.

Article 5 provides that no discrimination shall exist in a state's internal nationality law on the grounds of "sex, religion, race, colour or national or ethnic origin". It also provides that a state shall not discriminate amongst its nationals on the basis of whether they hold their nationality by birth or acquired it subsequently.

Article 6 relates to the acquisition of nationality. It provides for nationality to be acquired at birth by descent from either parent to those born within the territory of the state. (States may exclude partially or fully children born abroad). It also provides for nationality by virtue of birth in the territory of state; however, states may limit this to only children who would be otherwise stateless. It requires the possibility of naturalisation, and provides that the period of residence required for eligibility cannot be more than ten years lawful and habitual residence. It also requires to "facilitate" the acquisition of nationality by certain persons, including spouses of nationals, children of its nationals born abroad, children one of whose parents has acquired the nationality, children adopted by a national, persons lawfully and habitually resident for a period before the age of eighteen, and stateless persons and refugees lawfully and habitually resident on its territory.

Article 7 regulates the involuntary loss of nationality. It provides that states may deprive their nationals of their nationality in only the cases of voluntary acquisition of another nationality, fraud or failure to provide relevant information when acquiring nationality, voluntary military service in a foreign military force, or adoption as a child by foreign nationals. It also provides for the possibility of loss of nationality for nationals habitually residing abroad. Finally, it provides loss of nationality for "conduct seriously prejudicial to the vital interests of the State Party".

Article 8 provides nationals with the right to renounce their nationality, providing they do not thereby become stateless. States may however restrict this right with respect to nationals residing abroad.[1]

Status

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Countries that:
  Ratified
  Signed not ratified
  Not signed
  Non members of the Council of Europe

As of 14 March 2014, the following countries have signed or ratified the convention:[2]

Status of European Convention on Nationality
Signatory Signed Ratified In force
 Albania Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY
 Austria Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY
 Bosnia and Herzegovina Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY
 Bulgaria Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY
 Croatia Green tickY
 Czech Republic Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY
 Denmark Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY
 Finland Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY
 France Green tickY
 Germany Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY
 Greece Green tickY
 Hungary Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY
 Iceland Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY
 Italy Green tickY
 Latvia Green tickY
 Luxembourg Green tickY
 Malta Green tickY
 Moldova Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY
 Montenegro Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY
 Netherlands Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY
 Norway Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY
 Poland Green tickY
 Portugal Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY
 Romania Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY
 Russia[3] Green tickY
 Slovakia Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY
 Sweden Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY
 North Macedonia Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY
 Ukraine Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY

References

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  1. ^ a b "European Convention on Nationality" (PDF). Council of Europe. Retrieved 12 September 2021.
  2. ^ a b "Chart of signatures and ratifications of Treaty 166". Council of Europe. Retrieved 12 September 2021.
  3. ^ On 25 February 2022 the Council of Europe suspended Russia's membership in the organization due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. On 15 March, Russia announced the start of the process of withdrawal from the organization. On 16 March the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe decided to immediately expel Russia for armed aggression against Ukraine.
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