The 1963 Convention on the Reduction of Cases of Multiple Nationality and on Military Obligations in Cases of Multiple Nationality

The Convention aims to reduce as far as possible the number of cases of multiple nationality, as between Parties. It lays down rules to reduce cases of multiple nationality in the case of the acquisition of a new nationality or the renunciation of one nationality, and the legal consequences for persons concerned, including minor persons. It also contains provisions on military obligations in cases of multiple nationality.[2]

The convention came into force in 1968 following the ratification by Italy who were the second state, after France.[3]

As of 2020, 15 of the 47 states of Europe have signed the convention, 13 of whom went on to ratify it with five choosing to denounce it between 2000 and 2011.[4]

According to the Italian Government (the most recent to denounce the Convention): "The Italian government’s denunciation of the 1963 Strasbourg Convention means that, as from June 4, 2010, Italian citizenship is no longer automatically lost for the Italians who become naturalised citizens of the countries signatories to that Convention (following the denunciation by Sweden, Germany, Belgium, France and Luxembourg, the current signatories are Austria, Denmark, Norway, and the Netherlands."[5]