A total of 8,398 Goans have 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 overwhelming majority of those who renounced their Indian passports had acquired Portuguese citizenship, reflecting Goa’s long-standing historical ties with Portugal. Others obtained citizenship of countries including the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia.
Under the Indian Citizenship Act, Indian citizens who voluntarily acquire the citizenship of another country automatically cease to be Indian citizens. As a result, they are required to surrender their Indian passports, as India does not permit dual citizenship.
The figures were disclosed in response to a question raised during the ongoing Assembly session, providing an official snapshot of passport surrenders linked to foreign naturalisation over the past five years.
The data highlights the continuing trend of Goans relocating overseas, with Portugal remaining the preferred destination due to provisions allowing eligible descendants of those born in erstwhile Portuguese Goa to obtain Portuguese nationality.
