Panaji, Goa: A total of 8,398 Goans surrendered their Indian passports after acquiring foreign citizenship between 2021 and 2025, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant informed the Goa Legislative Assembly.
According to the information tabled in the House, the majority of those who renounced their Indian passports had acquired Portuguese citizenship, reflecting Goa’s long-standing historical and familial ties with Portugal.
Figures Presented in the Assembly
The data was shared by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant in response to a query during the Assembly session, providing an overview of passport surrenders recorded over the past five years.
The figures indicate that 8,398 individuals formally surrendered their Indian passports after obtaining citizenship of another country, in compliance with Indian citizenship laws.
Majority Acquired Portuguese Citizenship
As per the information presented, most of the passport holders had acquired Portuguese citizenship.
Goa has witnessed a steady number of residents opting for Portuguese nationality over the years, primarily due to historical links dating back to Portuguese rule. Many Goans become eligible to apply for Portuguese citizenship through ancestry or birth registration under Portuguese nationality laws.
Holding Portuguese citizenship also provides access to opportunities for residence, employment, and travel within the European Union.
Indian Law on Citizenship
Under the Citizenship Act, 1955, India does not permit dual citizenship.
Any Indian citizen who voluntarily acquires the citizenship of another country automatically ceases to be an Indian citizen and is required to surrender their Indian passport.
Failure to surrender an Indian passport after acquiring foreign nationality can attract penalties under the Passports Act and related regulations.
Continued Trend in Goa
The surrender of Indian passports after acquiring foreign citizenship has remained a recurring trend in Goa for several years.
Many families with ancestral links to Portugal choose to obtain Portuguese citizenship for educational, professional, and economic opportunities abroad.
Officials clarified that the figures represent passport surrenders following the legal acquisition of foreign nationality and do not indicate any irregularity.
Key Highlights
- 8,398 Goans surrendered their Indian passports between 2021 and 2025.
- The information was provided by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant in the Goa Legislative Assembly.
- Most of those who surrendered their passports had acquired Portuguese citizenship.
- Indian law does not allow dual citizenship.
- Citizens acquiring foreign nationality are legally required to surrender their Indian passports.
The figures presented in the Goa Legislative Assembly highlight the continued trend of Goans acquiring foreign citizenship, particularly Portuguese nationality, and complying with India’s legal requirement to surrender their Indian passports. The data reflects the state’s unique historical ties with Portugal and the growing number of residents seeking international opportunities through foreign citizenship.
