Chile
ISO2: CL
Chilean citizenship by naturalisation through residence (Carta de Nacionalización): standard 5+ years residence counted from the relevant residencia temporal “estampado” that led to permanent residence, permanent residence required, 2-year “nacionalización calificada” option for certain family links to Chile (Ley 21.325 art. 85), online submission via SERMIG, core documents (ID/passport, criminal record, photo, and case-specific proofs), official sources, and dual citizenship notes (as of 2026).
Passport
Citizenship by residence
- Minimum years of residence
- 5.0
- Requires permanent residence
- Yes
- Last updated
- Feb. 23, 2026
- Notes
- Standard route: applicants generally must be 18+ (or 14+ with notarized parental/tutor authorization in certain cases), hold a valid Residencia Definitiva, and have 5+ years of residence in Chile counted from the “Estampado Electrónico” of the residencia temporal that gave rise to the current permanent residence. Reduced route (“Nacionalización calificada”, Ley 21.325 art. 85): permanent residents who can prove 2 years of continuous residence (counted from the relevant estampado) may apply if they have a qualifying link to Chile, such as: spouse of a Chilean (marriage registered in Chile + common household), blood relative up to 2nd degree/adopted by a Chilean, or child of a parent who was Chilean but lost nationality before the child’s birth. Applications are submitted online via SERMIG’s Portal de Trámites Digitales (ClaveÚnica) and are available only from within Chile; foreign-issued documents must generally be apostilled/legalized and translated if needed.
- Dual citizenship
-
Dual citizenship: Allowed
Renunciation required: No
- Notes for dual citizenship
- Chile does not generally require renunciation to hold Chilean nationality alongside another nationality. SERMIG notes that Chileans by origin do not lose nationality by acquiring another nationality, except by voluntary renunciation; the Constitution’s loss-of-nationality rule is based on voluntary renunciation (with effects only if already naturalized elsewhere). Foreign-law restrictions may still apply depending on the other country.
Qualifying residence permits
Residencia Definitiva (Permanent residence) – vigente
Required status to apply for Carta de Nacionalización; eligibility criteria explicitly require being a holder of valid permanent residence (Residencia Definitiva vigente).
Counts
Residencia Temporal (Temporary residence) – estampado that led to the current Residencia Definitiva
The residence period (5-year standard / 2-year calificada) is counted from the “Estampado Electrónico” of the temporary residence that gave origin to the current permanent residence.
Counts
Short-stay / visitor / tourist status
Visitor presence is not a standard basis to accrue the multi-year residence period used for Carta de Nacionalización eligibility.
Doesn’t count
Required documents
| Document | Mandatory | Notes |
|---|---|---|
|
Carta de Nacionalización application (SERMIG Portal de Trámites Digitales)
Application for Chilean nationality by Carta de Nacionalización via Servicio Nacional de Migraciones (SERMIG) digital portal (ClaveÚnica).
|
Mandatory | Submit online via SERMIG Portal de Trámites Digitales (ClaveÚnica). |
|
Criminal record / police clearance from country of origin (apostilled/legalized + translation if needed)
SERMIG requests an antecedentes penales/judiciales certificate from the country of origin, apostilled/legalized and translated where applicable.
|
Mandatory | General requirement for adult applicants per SERMIG guidance; ensure apostille/legalization and translation if applicable. |
|
Proof of residence continuity and eligibility clock (Estampado Electrónico / residence history)
Evidence supporting the residence time counted from the relevant “Estampado Electrónico” and continuity requirements (standard or calificada).
|
Mandatory | Support the 5-year standard or 2-year calificada residence count from the relevant “Estampado Electrónico”. |
|
Proof of Residencia Definitiva vigente
Evidence that the applicant holds valid permanent residence (Residencia Definitiva).
|
Mandatory | Eligibility requires being a holder of valid permanent residence (Residencia Definitiva vigente). |
|
Recent photograph (per SERMIG specifications)
Recent photo with SERMIG technical requirements (format, background, etc.).
|
Mandatory | Upload a recent photo meeting SERMIG format and quality requirements. |
|
Valid passport / travel document (ID page scan)
Identity and nationality proof; SERMIG requests a scan of the passport identification page.
|
Mandatory | General identity and nationality proof requested by SERMIG. |
|
Kinship/adoption documents (for calificada family relationship route)
Required only if applying under the 2-year calificada route as blood relative up to second degree or adopted by a Chilean.
|
Optional | Mandatory only if applying via the 2-year “nacionalización calificada” family relationship route. |
|
Marriage certificate (registered in Chile) + proof of common household (for calificada spouse route)
Required only if applying under the 2-year calificada route as spouse of a Chilean, including marriage registration in Chile and common household evidence.
|
Optional | Mandatory only if applying via the 2-year “nacionalización calificada” spouse route. |
|
National ID (country of origin) or consular identity/nationality certificate (if no passport)
Alternative identity proof if no passport; may require Chile MFA legalization per SERMIG guidance.
|
Optional | Provide if you do not have a passport; SERMIG indicates acceptable alternatives. |
|
Notarized parental/tutor authorization + custody evidence (for applicants aged 14–17, where applicable)
Notarized authorizations and legal documents proving care/custody for minor applicants (as applicable).
|
Optional | Mandatory only for eligible minor applicants and specific scenarios described in the official requirements. |
|
Parent nationality loss evidence (for calificada child-of-former-Chilean-parent route)
Required only if applying under the 2-year calificada route as child of a parent who was Chilean but lost nationality before the applicant’s birth.
|
Optional | Mandatory only if applying via the 2-year “nacionalización calificada” route based on parent’s prior Chilean nationality loss. |
Submission offices
Servicio Nacional de Migraciones (SERMIG) – Información oficial de Nacionalidad
NATIONAL
· Santiago
Official guidance page describing eligibility routes (standard 5-year and 2-year calificada) and document requirements.
Servicio Nacional de Migraciones (SERMIG) – Portal de Trámites Digitales (Carta de Nacionalización)
Online
Official online submission route for Carta de Nacionalización; requires ClaveÚnica and is available only from within Chile.
Official sources
ChileAtiende – Solicitud de Carta de Nacionalización (ficha, 2026)
Government
Official service fiche (updated Jan 7, 2026) summarizing eligibility cases, legal framework, and submission route.
es
Portal de Trámites Digitales (Extranjería/SERMIG) – Carta de Nacionalización: Solicitud
Government
Official digital procedure page including 5-year eligibility and “nacionalización calificada” reference to Ley 21.325 art. 85.
es
SERMIG – Nacionalidad (Carta de Nacionalización): requisitos y casos
Government
Primary official page (updated Dec 22, 2025) describing standard 5-year route, 2-year route with family link, and where to apply.
es
SERMIG – Pérdida de la nacionalidad (nota sobre no perder por naturalizarse en otro país salvo renuncia)
Government
Official clarification that Chileans by origin do not lose nationality by naturalizing elsewhere unless they voluntarily renounce.
es
Biblioteca del Congreso Nacional – Ley 21.325 (Migración y Extranjería), Art. 85 (Nacionalización calificada)
Law / Regulation
Statutory basis for the 2-year “nacionalización calificada” route for permanent residents with specified links to Chile.
es
Constitución Política de la República de Chile (Cámara de Diputadas y Diputados) – Art. 11 (pérdida de nacionalidad)
Law / Regulation
Official constitution PDF; Art. 11 lists loss of nationality grounds starting with voluntary renunciation (relevant to dual nationality notes).
es
Latest ranking snapshot
As of Feb. 23, 2026
- Travel freedom174.00
- Residency rights9.00
- Quality of life109.80
- Economic freedom73.20
- Tax friendliness20.00
Source CSV: passport_composite_ranking_top150.csv. Mappings: visa_free->travel_freedom_score; residency_rights_n->residency_rights_score; qol_index->quality_of_life_score; economic_freedom->economic_freedom_score; taxation_score->tax_friendliness_score; net_salary_usd->disposable_income_after_tax_score.