Kuwait has implemented significant reforms to its nationality legislation, marking one of the most extensive updates to its citizenship framework in decades. These changes were enacted through Decree-Law No. 52 of 2026 and published in the official gazette “Kuwait Alyoum,” revising key elements of the Amiri Decree No. 15 of 1959.
The government states that the amendments aim to reinforce national identity, tighten citizenship eligibility criteria, and maintain strict state control over nationality decisions. The updated law introduces clearer definitions regarding who qualifies as Kuwaiti by origin, especially concerning citizenship by descent.
Naturalization provisions have been overhauled, including new conditions affecting foreign spouses and children of naturalized citizens. Notably, the law addresses special cases involving Kuwaiti mothers, allowing children born to Kuwaiti women to be granted temporary citizenship under specific circumstances until they reach adulthood.
The reforms also outline conditions under which nationality may be lost or withdrawn. For example, marriage to a foreign national and voluntary acquisition of another citizenship can impact a person’s Kuwaiti status. A new requirement mandates that individuals who acquire foreign citizenship must formally renounce their Kuwaiti nationality.
In a significant development, Kuwaiti women who lost citizenship due to marriage to foreigners are now eligible to regain their nationality. The law specifies grounds for withdrawing citizenship, particularly targeting naturalized individuals, including cases of fraud, forgery, false information, criminal convictions related to dishonesty or threats to state security, dismissal from government positions for integrity violations, threats to national interests, or connections to foreign political entities.
Citizenship may also be revoked if a person joins a foreign military without authorization, works for a hostile foreign state, affiliates with organizations undermining Kuwait’s system, or commits acts that question their loyalty to the country.
Authorities are empowered to use scientific verification methods such as DNA testing and other forensic tools to verify nationality claims, resolve disputes, or support withdrawal decisions. Providing false information regarding nationality can result in legal penalties.
All nationality-related decisions are considered sovereign acts, with the Public Prosecution tasked with prosecuting nationality-related offenses. The amendments also include administrative and legal updates, revising older articles and terminology from previous amendments made in 1994 and 1995.
The new law took immediate effect upon its publication in the official gazette, signaling a decisive shift in Kuwait’s approach to citizenship governance.
