6. VOLUNTARY LOSS OF NATIONALITY International framework International law protects the right to change one’s nationality (Article 15(2) UDHR). However, this right is limited by important constraints, including that individuals should not be able to change their nationality if this would result in statelessness.36 States should only accept renunciation if the individual possesses another nationality or is granted official, non-discretionary, and unconditional assurance in writing that they will acquire a nationality imminently.37 If the nationality of the other State is not acquired, States should ensure that the individual will automatically re-acquire their nationality and/or deem that this has never been lost.38 Where States do not permit multiple nationalities for naturalised nationals, they should allow for a ‘grace period’, of no less than one year after naturalisation, during which individuals may renounce their nationality of origin. If naturalisation is conditional upon renunciation of a former nationality, the general obligation to avoid statelessness under the 1961 Convention prohibits States from retracting an assurance that they would grant nationality to a person, on grounds that conditions of naturalisation are not met.39 Good practice Almost all 27 Index countries demonstrate good practice in this area, with legal safeguards preventing statelessness in cases of renunciation of nationality. Some countries, such as Portugal and the Netherlands, have especially strong safeguards, requiring that renunciation only takes place after the person concerned has acquired another nationality. In other cases, such as Hungary and Moldova, renunciation is accepted only if there is an official confirmation or promise to grant the nationality of another State. Some countries also have procedures to reacquire the original nationality if the new nationality is not acquired. In North Macedonia, reacquisition is automatic if the person does not acquire the other nationality within a year. In the UK and Norway, renunciation is considered to have no effect if the individual does not acquire another nationality after six months. In some instances, such as in Albania and Croatia, reacquisition is subject to conditions. Risk of statelessness as a result of voluntary loss of nationality Time limits for the individual to reclaim nationality In Croatia, although the legislation states that a decision to renounce nationality may be annulled if a person does not acquire the nationality of another State, the law also includes a time limit for the person to act. Individuals have six years from the moment of renunciation to make an application for annulment of the renunciation. This means that individuals could be left stateless if they do not act within the set time limit, which is contrary to Article 7 of the 1961 Convention. Conditions relating to strict single nationality rule In Austria, the Nationality Act requires that all previous nationalities (including other EU nationalities) are relinquished in order to acquire Austrian nationality through naturalisation. Applicants for Austrian nationality receive only a temporary guarantee of grant of Austrian nationality, conditional upon the individual fulfilling the requirements for naturalisation. There is a risk of statelessness if, after relinquishing