Independence: what you need to know
Information about Scotland's future.
Citizenship
This Scottish Government's approach to citizenship would encourage people to live, work and settle in Scotland.
Most people in Scotland would automatically become Scottish citizens after independence, with other routes available for those who don't qualify automatically
Under this government’s proposals:
Automatic Scottish citizenship
You would automatically be entitled to become a Scottish citizen if you’re a British citizen who:
- is habitually resident in Scotland
- was born in Scotland but living elsewhere
- is living elsewhere but with a parent who was a British citizen born in Scotland
- is living elsewhere who previously lived in Scotland for at least ten years, or five years as a child, with a pro rata calculation for young adults
Registering to become a Scottish citizen after independence
Two groups would be entitled to register as Scottish citizens at independence:
- British and Irish citizens living in Scotland
- children of any nationality living in Scotland who have been raised in Scotland
Anyone else could apply to become a Scottish citizen.
Passports after independence
Scottish citizens would be able to apply for a Scottish passport after independence, in the same way you can currently apply for a British passport.
By remaining in the Common Travel Area, there would be no new passport or immigration checks at any of an independent Scotland’s land, sea or air border points with the UK and Ireland for those travelling between Scotland, the UK and Ireland.