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Posted on 01/06/2026 12:55:36 AM PST by thecodont
Traveling from country to country without restrictions. Shorter lines at the border. The right to live and work in your dream destination, or to reconnect with family roots. All that, and more, is the dream of those who seek dual citizenship. And that includes monsieur George Clooney, who celebrated the end of 2025 by acquiring French citizenship for himself and his family.
Dual citizenship — the ability to be a citizen of two (or more) countries — has long been popular with travelers, expats and dreamers. In a world of increasing red tape, who wouldn’t want to skip the long lines at passport control and breeze through with the locals? For those who, like Clooney, dream of living and working in another country, but don’t have an employer to sponsor them, acquiring another citizenship might be the key that unlocks that door. Even for those with no plans to move, it can be transformative.
But in 21st-century politics, the tide may be turning against dual citizenship. In 2025, several European countries tightened requirements for citizenship by descent and so-called “golden passport” programs, which grant citizenship to big spenders. And in the US, Ohio’s Republican senator Bernie Moreno has mooted an “Exclusive Citizenship Act” that would ban Americans from holding any other citizenships.
(Excerpt) Read more at cnn.com ...
Posting this because there’s been some recent buzz (from people who don’t like Trump) about fleeing to another country. People can have lots of reasons for having a second passport, I suppose, but I remember what Elon Musk said recently about citizenship and loyalties.
Being a citizen of France now, I wonder if he is now required to file tax returns in the USA and FRANCE
Tax treaties are important. There can be a cost to dual citizenship.
But you get to vote in more than one country. The country you love, and the country you wish to influence to help the country you love.
unless he gives up US citizenship.
This isn’t official advice, but as I understand it, a French citizen only has to pay French income tax if they’re considered a “tax resident” of France. The criteria for that includes working in France or residing in France more days than in any other country. Some countries use a 183-day rule, but I don’t think France does. If Clooney lived in France 130 days, Italy 120 days and the USA 115 days, he’d owe income tax in both France and the USA. But if he lived in France 115 days, Italy 120 days and the USA 130 days, he’d owe income tax only in the USA... as long as he wasn’t working in France during his days there. If he’s making movies there, he’d owe.
There’s a Mr. Walz on Line #1.
He’s asking:
“How much is a Passport 🛂🛂🛂 to Somalia?”
>> Dual citizenship — the ability to be a citizen of two (or more) countries — has long been popular with travelers, expats and dreamers.
I’m blessed to be an American. I love America. I’ll live here until I die. I’ll die defending America if need be.
I have no respect for these double-minded “travelers, expats and dreamers”. None.
I never really thought about loving America until I joined the Navy. I was always so glad to be back. There is just no place like America.
That should be banned.
You are only a citizen of one country. If the two went to war with each other, which owns you for the fight?
Relinquish citizenship to acquire another.
“Dual citizenship has long been popular with travelers, expats and dreamers.”
It depends.
For sure in the USA!
But only USA and Eritrea! tax their citizens on money made abroad.
So if he makes money in France, then he is into lots of filing.
Otherwise, no!
This “taxing citizens abroad” has been a “feature” “loved” by US citizens living abroad.
Apparently, it is a major nuisance, so many rather give their US citizenship than be subject of this pain?!
My impression when celebrities say they’ll leave America if (fill-in-blank) is that of a two-year-old stomping his foot and yelling, “I’ll eat worms and then you’ll be sorry!”
Yes. Or just working abroad.
I’m oilfield and have been stationed in many countries. Each one takes its piece.
There are tax treaties where the countries have agreed to not double tax you and who gets first fruits, but the system is complicated and doesn’t work logically in many circumstances.
Some taxing jurisdictions follow you around, too, looking for a cut, long after you’ve left.
There are other countries that have citizenship-based taxation, instead of residency based taxation, notably France, Hungary, and Italy.
None are quite as onerous as the USA.
(I have employees from many countries, some who work here, many who work abroad, some who work in neither their country of citizenship, nor the USA. It just depends on where the project is.)
You get an asset tax on renouncing your USA citizenship, similar to the estate tax.
Not sure how I know this.
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THAILAND!?
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