Brexit: 89% of Britons want dual citizenship after leaving EU, finds survey

EU referendum has changed perceptions on second passports

89 per cent of UK citizens would like to have a second citizenship and many of them are prepared to spend a considerable amount for the privilege, according to a new survey.

Some 58 per cent admitted Brexit has been the motivating factor in their decision. According to the "Citizenship Survey", conducted by CS Global Partners, three in four participants believed a second passport would give them the ability to travel and explore the world with greater ease.

The second most popular reason was the belief that a second non-UK citizenship would mean "increased freedom and human rights" - with nearly three in five citing this as their concern. One in six people wanted a second passport for business and career opportunities.

CS Global Partners - a law firm specialising in citizenship and residence solutions - spoke to 500 people between the ages of 18 and 50 years old within the last month.

Of those that wanted a second passport, 15 per cent said they would be willing to invest half their annual salary to become a citizen of a second country. Over 80 per cent were willing to pay 5 per cent of their annual income for the privilege.

CS Global CEO Micha-Rose Emmett said: “The results indicate that people are looking now more than ever for certainty and security amid a landscape of economic and political change.”

Emmett believes the uncertainty created by the general election result could reinvigorate the conversation around second citizenship: “Brexit has clearly had an influence on the UK’s views on citizenship and I believe the current political context stimulates similar discussion. It has always been our advice however to act preventively in the face of potential uncertainty: a second citizenship is an insurance policy against socio-political change.”

Australia was the top country of choice for dual citizenship, followed by the US, then Canada and Germany.