acquire citizenship vs obtain citizenship

Both 'acquire citizenship' and 'obtain citizenship' are correct phrases that can be used interchangeably. They both mean to gain citizenship in a country. There is no significant difference in meaning between the two phrases, so you can choose either based on personal preference.

Last updated: March 29, 2024 • 691 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"acquire citizenship"

This phrase means to gain citizenship in a country. It is a formal and appropriate way to describe the process of becoming a citizen.

Examples:

He was able to acquire citizenship through marriage.
The new law allows immigrants to acquire citizenship after a certain period of residency.
She hopes to acquire citizenship in her adopted country.
The program helps refugees acquire citizenship in their host country.
The process to acquire citizenship can be complex.

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Article 17 of the Treaty is clear and determines who can acquire citizenship of the European Union.
For example, Russian-speakers do not have the right to acquire citizenship of the country in which they and their forefathers were born or in which they have lived for decades, even though all of them wish to do so.
When a third-country national for whom an alert for refusal of entry or stay has been issued, acquires citizenship of one of the Member States, the alert shall be deleted.
It is possible that these convictions on their part are a significant obstacle to any wish to acquire Latvian citizenship.
The European Union could seek to have the constitution amended so that it recognises the Albanians as a constituent people of the Republic and to make it easier to acquire Macedonian citizenship.
As a consequence, British dependent territories citizens who acquire their citizenship from a connection with Gibraltar are citizens of the Union.
The referendum asked the citizens to decide whether to endorse the new law on citizenship - allowing so-called non-citizens, stateless persons, to acquire Latvian citizenship - or whether to abrogate it.
The Government of the United Kingdom has declared that it recognizes as its nationals 'British Dependent Territories citizens who acquire their citizenship from a connection with Gibraltar' (OJ C 23, 28.1.1983, p.
Recommends that the Member States make the naturalisation procedure more flexible, so that residents of foreign origin who so desire may acquire full citizenship;
Calls on the Member States not to recognise countries in which women cannot acquire full citizenship or are excluded from government;
After ten years' residence, immigrants acquire rights of citizenship and when they elect to exercise that right may vote in and stand for election.
Secondly, the demand for citizenship rights in the Member States to be harmonised, on the pretext that the differences between these rights bring about discrimination against non-Europeans who wish to acquire European citizenship as currently defined in the Treaties.
Are there categories of permanent residents of Slovenia who, for reasons of public opinion and government policy, are unable under any conditions to acquire Slovenian citizenship, even if they are willing to comply with a number of necessary formalities?
this would represent the official recognition of the role of non-formal education in promoting the social inclusion of young people, helping them adapt to a changing labour market, become involved in public life and, eventually, acquire active, motivated citizenship;
The marriage allows her to obtain Belgian citizenship and then marry a Russian Mafioso willing to pay a lot of money to acquire the same quickly.
In order to acquire and hold property on the Åland islands, natural persons are required to have 'hembygdsrätt' (regional citizenship).
On 25 May 2002, a ministerial decree of the Italian Republic stated that EU citizens may acquire Italian nationality without forfeiting their own citizenship, and vice versa, thereby fulfilling the conditions of reciprocity set out in the German legislation.
The marriage allows her to obtain Belgian citizenship and then marry a Russian Mafioso willing to pay a lot of money to acquire the same quickly.
Lifelong learning and mobility provided by high quality education and training are essential to enable all individuals to acquire the skills that are relevant not only to the labour market, but also for social inclusion and active citizenship.
Thus non-citizens, who, in order to obtain citizenship, only have to learn a little of the local language, will acquire much greater privileges than citizens and they will have less of an incentive to obtain citizenship.

Alternatives:

obtain citizenship
gain citizenship
attain citizenship
secure citizenship
achieve citizenship

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"obtain citizenship"

This phrase also means to gain citizenship in a country. It is a formal and appropriate way to describe the process of becoming a citizen.

Examples:

She was able to obtain citizenship through naturalization.
The government requires applicants to meet certain criteria to obtain citizenship.
He hopes to obtain citizenship in the new country.
The process to obtain citizenship can be lengthy.
Many people seek legal advice to help them obtain citizenship.

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Other people only have the right to obtain citizenship through naturalisation and some are not eligible.
Others can obtain citizenship only through naturalisation, and some people are not eligible for this procedure.
They are, however, unable to obtain citizenship, and their rights in Nepal are limited.
Those who do not wish to integrate and obtain citizenship should not be allowed to have the political right to vote.
Others are entitled to obtain citizenship only through naturalisation and some persons are not entitled to be naturalised.
Mr President, I would like to use this platform to say that a month ago, Mr Hegyi, the Hungarian MEP, told you and all of us an untruth about the alleged impossibility for Hungarians to obtain citizenship in Latvia.
Thus non-citizens, who, in order to obtain citizenship, only have to learn a little of the local language, will acquire much greater privileges than citizens and they will have less of an incentive to obtain citizenship.
Fingerprint data should be erased immediately once third-country nationals or stateless persons obtain citizenship of a Member State.
By acting in this way, we allow men and women to take part in social and political life and to thus obtain citizenship, which is a fundamental element in any democracy.
According to Latvian law, it is practically impossible for non-Latvian inhabitants of Latvia to obtain citizenship.
In addition, Member States should relax their naturalisation procedures, ensuring that residents of foreign origin can obtain citizenship if they so wish.

Alternatives:

acquire citizenship
gain citizenship
attain citizenship
secure citizenship
achieve citizenship

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acquire citizenship vs obtain citizenship