Residence & citizenship
Eritrean Citizenship by Naturalisation
Acquiring Eritrean nationality through long-term residence or marriage under the Nationality Proclamation, this is the route to becoming a citizen after settling in the country.
Expert reviewed Official guidance referenced
Under review — check current rules
The 10-year naturalisation residence period and the 3-year spouse residence period are reported from the Nationality Proclamation No. 21/1992 via legal-reference sources, not a live official government page; verify exact periods, renunciation rules and current procedure with the Ministry of Internal Affairs before relying on them.
Important information
Immigration rules and fees can change. This information is for general guidance only and does not constitute legal advice. Always check the latest requirements on the official Eritrea government website before you apply.
On this page
- Official name
- Eritrean citizenship by naturalisation (Nationality Proclamation No. 21/1992)
- Route type
- Naturalisation / citizenship
- General residence requirement
- A continuous period of lawful residence in Eritrea (commonly cited as around 10 years)
- Spouse route
- Marriage to an Eritrean national with residence together for a set period and renunciation of foreign citizenship (commonly cited as 3 years)
- Where to apply
- Ministry of Internal Affairs or Eritrean diplomatic missions
Who it is for
- Foreign nationals who have lawfully resided in Eritrea for the required continuous period
- Foreign spouses of Eritrean nationals meeting the marriage and residence conditions
Requirements
- A qualifying period of continuous, lawful residence in Eritrea (naturalisation route)
- For spouses: marriage to an Eritrean national, living together in Eritrea for the required period, and renunciation of foreign citizenship
- Compliance with immigration regulations throughout the residence period
How to apply
- Obtain and complete a citizenship application form from the Ministry of Internal Affairs or an Eritrean diplomatic mission
- Submit the form with supporting evidence of residence, marriage or other qualifying grounds
- Await a decision from the Minister of the Interior
Official sources
For the most accurate and up-to-date information, always refer to the official government sources.
Verified against official gov.uk sources · last reviewed 2026-08-21. Information only — not legal advice.