Nationality of Palestine: all obtaining pathways
Palestine governs citizenship through descent and the register administered by the Palestinian National Authority, given its limited international recognition as a State. Naturalization has no formally defined regime, and birth in the territory follows a ius soli limited to specific cases.
1By descent and registration (the Palestinian Authority)
By descent and registration (the Palestinian Authority)
Requirements
- Born to a Palestinian father (registered in the PA's civil register)
- A Palestinian mother can register her children if the father is stateless or unknown
- The civil register is administered by the Palestinian Authority with Israeli approval
- Severe registration limitations owing to the occupation
Documentation
- Birth certificate registered with the PA
- Palestinian Authority passport or the father's identity document
- PA civil register (hawiyeh)
2By birth in the territory (limited ius soli)
By birth in the territory (limited ius soli)
Requirements
- Born in the West Bank or Gaza to Palestinian resident parents
- Registration in the Palestinian Authority's civil register
- No comprehensive Palestinian citizenship legislation exists (it depends on the Oslo Accords)
Documentation
- Birth certificate issued by the PA
- Palestinian identity number
- Proof of the parents' residence in the Palestinian territories
3Acquisition by special law: no operative naturalisation regime (Basic Law 2003, art. 7)
Acquisition by special law: no operative naturalisation regime (Basic Law 2003, art. 7)
Requirements
- The Amended Basic Law of 2003 (art. 7) provides: “Palestinian citizenship shall be regulated by the law” (official text, security-legislation.ps)
- The Palestinian Legislative Council has NOT enacted a citizenship law establishing a naturalisation route for foreigners
- Palestinian status derives from the Palestinian Authority’s POPULATION REGISTRY (ID card) and PLO criteria for refugees and diaspora — not from residence-based naturalisation
- In the West Bank (Area C under Israeli control) residency and ID are additionally managed with the Israeli COGAT
- No residence term applies: any acquisition is by administrative/political decision (e.g. marriage to a Palestinian, subject to PA registration practice)
- This section is INFORMATIONAL: no formal legal route to Palestinian citizenship currently exists for foreigners
Documentation
- Palestinian refugee documentation (UNRWA)
- Proof of Palestinian origin
- Application to the Palestinian Authority
Frequently asked questions about the nationality of Palestine
How many years of residence does Palestine require to naturalize?
According to the main pathway of Palestine (Acquisition by special law: no operative naturalisation regime (Basic Law 2003, art. 7)), the term is Undefined: the Basic Law defers to a citizenship law not yet enacted. The complete details of requirements and exceptions appear in the fact sheet.
What documentation does naturalization in Palestine require?
The Acquisition by special law: no operative naturalisation regime pathway requires: Palestinian refugee documentation (UNRWA); Proof of Palestinian origin; Application to the Palestinian Authority.
What pathways exist to obtain the nationality of Palestine?
Palestine provides 3 pathways: By descent and registration, By birth in the territory, Acquisition by special law: no operative naturalisation regime.
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