If you emigrate to another country (by choice) should you give up any rights to your original nationality?

Answer 1

If for example you are emigrating from the UK to another country especially those that are outside the EU, then you certainly should give up the right to free medical care and benefits. So no popping back to Blighty whenever you feel an illness or lack of work coming on!! Also the right to vote should be given up as those that live abroad shouldn't feel that they have an input of the government of another country.

Answer 2

I have emigrated to Spain and carry a residence card, which gives me the same rights as being Spanish. I pay taxes here, and also voluntary contributions in the UK. When I visit the UK I carry an E111 as I am visiting as a holiday maker, I dont get free national health as I am not registered with a doctor in the UK.
If you wish to give up your nationality then it should be your choice and no one elses.
Maybe I may go and live elsewhere in the next years, would I then have to keep changing my nationality every place I chose to settle? I was born and bred in Britain, still carry a British passport and for now intend it to stay that way.

Answer 3

Maybe you should get your facts right.I have retired and moved to Turkey.I am still obliged to pay tax on my pension.I had to de register with my GP and am now treated as a temporary vistor when I return to the UK for a visit .As far as voting is concerned I dont wish to but is the person who said I shouldnt be able to vote even though I pay tax aware that southern irish can come to UK and vote and always have been able to.I paid national insurance for 40years and not a lot of people on here would be pleased to do that and be refused medical on visiting their mother country.

Answer 4

I am a British citizen married to an American citizen. We live in the States but I have absolutely no intention of renouncing my nationality. My wife and I fell in love, we had no choice in the matter because we found a mutual attraction in one another but we knew that to be together one of us would have to emigrate. I didn't turn my back on the UK and would return in an instant if British national security was threatened. I paid my taxes and National Insurance contributions for years before I left without ever claiming anything back and as a former government employee I served my country with pride and due diligence when I could have received employment in the private sector for higher pay and less stress. When I return to Britain I will not be claiming benefits I am not entitiled to because I haven't paid for them. I won't claim for a State pension because that is dishonest. And, even though I could easily give the Student Loans Company the slip I still intend to pay my debts from over here. I purposely didn't register to vote as an overseas elector because what would that do to benefit me and why should I decide who represents my former home town when I no longer live there?

I love the UK and I am still keenly aware of all the current events going on over there because I read online versions of British newspapers, view the BBC website several times a day and even watch BBC news on TV over here. So who better to promote Britain overseas than ex-pats? My new friends and neighbours hang onto every word I say about the UK because they are as keenly interested in Britain as I am about the States and in fact many are even planning on taking vacations over there. Britain should welcome tourist dollars and thank me for my efforts to promote our country overseas.

It sounds to me as though you have a case of sour grapes. Perhaps you want to leave Britain but can't find a way of leaving. Maybe you should evaluate yourself before you criticise others and in future avoid making rash generalisations.

Answer 5

Yes I think you should. If you have decided to make your life (for the better) in another country, then you should kiss the ground that you have been privileged to walk upon. If you value your nationality, why would you want to emigrate.

Answer 6

Only in the sense that you would otherwise be entitled to the goverment services of that country. No one should ever be made to give up his/her heritage.

Answer 7

Yes you should. And if you become a citizen of another country you will have to give up your US citizenship.

Answer 8

If you come to America then you should drop your Nationality and become an American and only an American.
We don't have room for any hyphenated Americans.

Answer 9

I think so, yes.

Answer 10

Yes....otherwise, stay home.