Is it easy to get Bahrain citizenship?

In Bahrain, obtaining citizenship is a difficult procedure that calls for completing a number of qualifications and meeting a number of requirements. Although foreigners can acquire Bahraini citizenship, the process of naturalization can be very stringent.

To be able to apply for Bahraini citizenship, a foreign citizen must:

• If one is not Arab, they must legally live here for 25 years; 
• If one is Arab, they must live here for 15 years;
• Have a Bahraini legal address;
• Possess fluency in Arabic;
• After becoming a citizen of Bahrain for ten years, they can get voting rights;

There are several routes to obtaining Bahraini citizenship, including citizenship by descent, naturalization, and marriage. Citizenship by descent is the easiest for individuals with Bahraini origins, allowing them to claim citizenship if their father or paternal grandfather was a Bahraini citizen. For those looking to naturalize, additional requirements come into play. Applicants must demonstrate fluency in Arabic, possess a legal address in Bahrain, and have a good character. Furthermore, they must own property registered in their name within the country.

Marriage to a Bahraini citizen provides another avenue for acquiring citizenship, but it primarily applies to women. A foreign woman married to a Bahraini man can apply for citizenship after renouncing her previous nationality.

It's important to note that dual citizenship is not permitted in Bahrain; applicants need to renounce their original nationality upon receiving Bahraini citizenship.