Madagascar

Last Updated: 2026-04-02

Official Portal: Ministry of Justice — Madagascar

Embassy Finder: Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Quick Facts

Category	Details
Residency for naturalization	5 years (reduced to 3 for spouses of Malagasy citizens)
Language requirement	No formal requirement, but knowledge of Malagasy or French is expected
Civics test	No formal test
Processing time	12—36 months
Naturalization fee	Approximately MGA 100,000—500,000 (USD 20—100)
Dual citizenship	Conditional — permitted since 2017 amendments for citizens by origin; restricted for naturalized citizens
Citizenship by birth in Madagascar	Limited; both parents being foreign does not confer citizenship
Citizenship by descent	Automatic if either parent is Malagasy
Governing law	Code de la Nationalite Malagasy (Ordonnance No. 60-064 of 1960, as amended 2017); Constitution of Madagascar, 2010

Dual Citizenship

Conditional — Madagascar reformed its nationality law in 2017 to permit dual citizenship in certain circumstances, reversing a decades-long prohibition.

Pre-2017: Malagasy nationals who acquired foreign citizenship automatically lost their Malagasy nationality. The diaspora (particularly in France, where an estimated 100,000+ Malagasy reside) was heavily affected.

Post-2017 (Loi No. 2016-038):

Citizens by origin (birth or descent) who acquire a foreign nationality retain their Malagasy citizenship. They are no longer required to renounce.
Naturalized citizens face restrictions — acquiring a foreign nationality after naturalization may still result in loss of Malagasy citizenship.
Foreign nationals naturalizing in Madagascar may be required to renounce their prior nationality depending on the circumstances, though enforcement varies.

The 2017 reform was driven by advocacy from the Malagasy diaspora in France and elsewhere, and it represents a significant shift toward diaspora engagement.

Acquisition of Nationality

By Birth (Jus Soli)

Madagascar applies limited jus soli. Birth on Malagasy territory alone does not confer nationality. However:

A child born in Madagascar to at least one Malagasy parent acquires nationality at birth.
A child born in Madagascar to foreign parents does not acquire Malagasy nationality automatically but may apply for naturalization upon reaching adulthood.

By Descent (Jus Sanguinis)

Malagasy nationality is transmitted through either parent:

Either parent Malagasy: A child born to a Malagasy father or mother acquires nationality at birth, regardless of place of birth.
Legitimate and illegitimate children: Both are covered, though recognition by the Malagasy parent may be required for illegitimate children.
Registration at a Malagasy embassy is recommended for births abroad.

By Adoption

A child adopted by a Malagasy citizen may acquire Malagasy nationality. The adoption must be a full adoption (adoption pleniere) recognized under Malagasy law. Simple adoption (adoption simple) does not automatically confer nationality but may facilitate a subsequent naturalization application. Inter-country adoptions must comply with Madagascar’s adoption laws, which require judicial authorization and are administered through the Central Authority for adoption.

By Marriage

A foreign spouse of a Malagasy citizen may acquire nationality by declaration:

The marriage must have been in effect for at least 3 years.
The applicant must have been resident in Madagascar for a period.
A declaration is made to the Ministry of Justice.
The government has 1 year to oppose the declaration; if no opposition is made, nationality is acquired.

By Naturalization

Requirement	Details
Residence	5 years habitual residence in Madagascar (3 years for spouses of Malagasy citizens)
Age	Must be of full legal age
Language	No formal requirement, but practical knowledge of Malagasy or French is expected
Good character	Must have good morals and no serious criminal record
Health	Must be of sound mind and body
Means of livelihood	Must demonstrate means of support
Renunciation	May be required depending on circumstances
Approval	Granted by decree on recommendation of the Ministry of Justice

Loss and Renunciation

Voluntary Renunciation

A Malagasy national may renounce nationality by declaration to the Ministry of Justice, provided they hold or have been assured of another nationality. Renunciation cannot cause statelessness.

Involuntary Loss

Ground	Details
Acquisition of foreign citizenship (naturalized citizens)	Naturalized citizens who acquire another nationality may lose Malagasy citizenship
Fraud or misrepresentation	Nationality obtained through false documents or concealment may be revoked
Acts against the state	Engaging in conduct incompatible with the status of a Malagasy national
Service in a foreign government or military	Without authorization from the Malagasy government

Restoration of Nationality

Former Malagasy nationals who lost nationality may apply for restoration (reintegration) through a declaration to the Ministry of Justice. This is particularly relevant for diaspora members who lost nationality before the 2017 reform by acquiring foreign citizenship.

Requirements:

Submission of a reintegration declaration to the Ministry of Justice.
Proof of former Malagasy nationality.
The government has a period to oppose the declaration.
If no opposition, nationality is restored.

The 2017 reform made restoration significantly easier for former citizens of origin, as they can now hold dual nationality upon restoration. This has been particularly important for the Malagasy community in France, many of whom had formally lost Malagasy nationality upon acquiring French citizenship under the pre-2017 rules.

Stateless Persons and Foundlings

Madagascar is a party to the 1954 Convention Relating to the Status of Stateless Persons but has not ratified the 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness.

Foundlings: A child found in Madagascar whose parents are unknown is presumed to be Malagasy.
Statelessness risk: Certain populations, including descendants of immigrants from the Comoros and South Asia (particularly the Karana community of Gujarati origin) who have lived in Madagascar for generations, may face difficulty proving nationality due to documentation gaps and the historical complexity of nationality law. The Karana community, numbering approximately 25,000, has faced persistent challenges in obtaining Malagasy nationality despite multi-generational presence on the island.

Document Checklist

Completed nationality application or declaration form

Birth certificate (certified copy with French or Malagasy translation)

Parents’ nationality documents (for descent-based claims)

Valid passport or travel document

Proof of residence in Madagascar (for naturalization)

Police clearance certificate (casier judiciaire)

Marriage certificate (if applying as a spouse)

Medical certificate

Passport-sized photographs (4 copies)

Proof of financial self-sufficiency or employment

Sources

Code de la Nationalite Malagasy — Ordonnance No. 60-064 of 22 July 1960, as amended by Loi No. 2016-038. https://www.justice.gov.mg/
Constitution of the Fourth Republic of Madagascar, 2010 — Provisions on nationality.
Ministry of Justice — Primary authority for nationality matters. https://www.justice.gov.mg/
Ministry of Foreign Affairs — Embassy finder and consular services. https://www.diplomatie.gov.mg/
UNHCR — Statelessness reporting for Madagascar. https://www.unhcr.org/

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