Ethiopian nationality law is regulated by the Constitution of Ethiopia, as amended; the Ethiopian Nationality Proclamation, and its revisions; and various international agreements to which the country is a signatory. These laws determine who is, or is eligible to be, a national of Ethiopia. The legal means to acquire nationality, formal legal membership in a nation, differ from the domestic relationship of rights and obligations between a national and the nation, known as citizenship. Nationality describes the relationship of an individual to the state under international law, whereas citizenship is the domestic relationship of an individual within the nation. Ethiopian nationality is typically obtained under the principle of jus sanguinis, born to parents with Ethiopian nationality. It can be granted to persons with an affiliation to the country, or to a permanent resident who has lived in the country for a given period of time through naturalization.
Acquisition of nationality
Nationality can be acquired in Ethiopia at birth or later in life through naturalization.
By birth
Those who acquire nationality at birth include:
Children born anywhere who have at least one parent who is an Ethiopian national; or Abandoned children or orphans discovered in the territory whose parents are unknown, but assumed to be Ethiopian.
By naturalization
Naturalization can be granted to persons who have resided in the territory for a sufficient period of time to confirm they understand one of the languages used in Ethiopia, and the customs and traditions of the society. General provisions are that applicants have good character and conduct; have no criminal convictions; and can legally and economically be self-sufficient. Applicants must have resided in the country for four years and renounce other nationality. Besides foreigners meeting the criteria, other persons who may be naturalized include:
The spouse of an Ethiopian national after two years of marriage and a one-year residency period subsequent to the marriage; Adoptees whose parents are Ethiopian can choose to acquire nationality if the parents are residents in the territory; Minor children can be automatically naturalized when their parent acquires nationality; or Persons who have provided exceptional service to the nation may naturalize without other conditions.
Loss of nationality
Ethiopian nationals can renounce their nationality pending approval by the state. The state does not allow persons who have not completed their military service or time for criminal prosecution to renounce their nationality. Nationals may be denaturalized in Ethiopia for acquiring dual nationality regardless of whether they are Ethiopian by origin or naturalized. Persons who previously had other nationality but wish to repatriate must renounce other nationality and establish a domicile in the country.
Dual nationality
Dual nationality is not allowed in Ethiopia; however, provision of the law under Article 20 is that persons who have dual nationality are "considered solely an Ethiopian national until the loss of Ethiopian nationality". To facilitate members of the Ethiopian diaspora, persons who originally had Ethiopian nationality but now have foreign status may acquire a special identity card. Those who attained Eritrean nationality or renounced their Ethiopian nationality are not eligible. The card entitles them to benefits such as access to public services, entry without a visa, employment and residency rights, and the right to own real property. They are classified as "foreign nationals of Ethiopian origin".