Citizenship vs. Denizen — What's the Difference?
By Urooj Arif & Fiza Rafique — Updated on April 25, 2024
Citizenship is the legal status of being a member of a specific nation, while a denizen is a resident of a place who may not have full rights like a citizen.
Difference Between Citizenship and Denizen
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Citizenship is conferred by a nation and carries with it specific legal rights and duties, such as voting and passport ownership. On the other hand, a denizen typically refers to an inhabitant or occupant of a particular place, without necessarily possessing the full legal rights granted to citizens.
Citizens have a formal, legal relationship with a country, often involving eligibility to participate in national elections and hold public office, whereas denizens, although residents of a place, might not have these political privileges.
The term citizenship usually implies a permanent sense of belonging to a country, often with implications for national identity and loyalty. Conversely, being a denizen can suggest a more temporary or less formal status, such as a foreigner who lives in a country but does not hold citizenship.
Citizenship often requires a formal process for acquisition, like naturalization, and may be lost or renounced under certain conditions. In contrast, denizen status does not typically involve such formal processes and is more about residency than nationality.
While the rights of citizens are protected by national laws and international agreements, the rights of denizens depend largely on local laws and can vary significantly from one place to another, particularly in terms of legal protections and social services access.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Legal status of being a country's member
Resident of a place, often without full rights
Rights and Privileges
Voting, passport, protection by law
May lack political rights, variable protections
Duration and Permanence
Often permanent, can be renounced
Generally temporary or undefined
Process of Acquisition
Naturalization, birth
Residency without formal process
Associated Duties
Jury duty, taxation, military service
Limited to local regulations and laws
Compare with Definitions
Citizenship
The rights and duties associated with being a citizen.
His citizenship allows him to vote in the national election.
Denizen
A foreigner allowed certain rights in the adopted country.
She is a denizen with a permanent residence but not the right to vote.
Citizenship
The condition of being vested with the rights, privileges, and duties of a citizen.
Citizenship comes with responsibilities such as jury duty.
Denizen
An animal or plant naturalized in a region.
Several species have become denizens of this isolated island.
Citizenship
A sense of belonging to a specific nation.
He feels a deep sense of citizenship and duty towards his country.
Denizen
A person who regularly frequents a place.
He's a familiar denizen of the local bar.
Citizenship
The character of an individual viewed as a member of society.
Good citizenship is marked by participation in community activities.
Denizen
Someone admitted to residence in a place.
Although not born there, he became a denizen through his lengthy residency.
Citizenship
The status of being a legally recognized subject or national of a state.
She gained citizenship after living in the country for five years.
Denizen
An inhabitant or occupant of a particular place.
As a long-term denizen of the town, he knew every back alley.
Citizenship
Citizenship is a relationship between an individual and a state to which the individual owes allegiance and in turn is entitled to its protection.(quoted)Each state determines the conditions under which it will recognize persons as its citizens, and the conditions under which that status will be withdrawn. Recognition by a state as a citizen generally carries with it recognition of civil, political, and social rights which are not afforded to non-citizens.
Denizen
A person, animal, or plant that lives or is found in a particular place
Denizens of field and forest
Citizenship
The status of a citizen with its attendant duties, rights, and privileges.
Denizen
An inhabitant; a resident
Denizens of Buenos Aires.
Turtles and other swamp denizens.
Citizenship
The status of being a citizen, in its various senses.
Denizen
One that frequents a particular place
A bar and its denizens.
Denizens of the deep sea.
Citizenship
The state of being a citizen, in its various senses.
Denizen
Chiefly British A foreigner who is granted rights of residence and sometimes of citizenship.
Citizenship
The state of being a citizen; the status of a citizen.
Denizen
To make a denizen of; grant rights of residence to.
Citizenship
The status of a citizen with rights and duties
Denizen
An inhabitant of a place; one who dwells in.
The giant squid is one of many denizens of the deep.
Citizenship
Conduct as a citizen;
Award for good citizenship
Denizen
One who frequents a place.
The denizens of that pub are of the roughest sort.
Denizen
A person with rights between those of naturalized citizen and resident alien (roughly permanent resident), obtained through letters patent.
Though born in Iceland, he became a denizen of Britain after leaving Oxford.
Denizen
(biology) An animal or plant from a particular range or habitat.
The bald eagle is a denizen of the northern part of the state.
Denizen
A foreign word that has become naturalised in another language.
Denizen
To grant rights of citizenship to; to naturalize.
He was denizened to Ireland after fleeing his home country.
Denizen
(transitive) To provide with denizens; to populate with adopted or naturalized occupants.
Denizen
A dweller; an inhabitant.
Denizens of their own free, independent state.
Denizen
One who is admitted by favor to all or a part of the rights of citizenship, where he did not possess them by birth; an adopted or naturalized citizen.
Denizen
One admitted to residence in a foreign country.
Ye gods,Natives, or denizens, of blest abodes.
Denizen
To constitute (one) a denizen; to admit to residence, with certain rights and privileges.
As soon as denizened, they domineer.
Denizen
To provide with denizens; to populate with adopted or naturalized occupants.
There [islets] were at once denizened by various weeds.
Denizen
A person who inhabits a particular place
Denizen
A plant or animal naturalized in a region;
Denizens of field and forest
Denizens of the deep
Common Curiosities
What is the key difference between citizenship and denizen?
Citizenship is a formal, legal status within a country, accompanied by specific rights and responsibilities, while a denizen is merely a resident, potentially without full legal rights.
Can a denizen become a citizen?
Yes, denizens can become citizens through processes like naturalization, depending on the laws of the host country.
How do immigration laws affect citizenship and denizen status?
Immigration laws directly influence both the process of becoming a citizen and the rights of denizens in a country.
What are typical requirements for gaining citizenship?
Requirements often include residency for a certain period, language proficiency, and knowledge of the country’s history and government.
Do denizens pay taxes?
Yes, denizens usually pay taxes on income earned within the country where they reside.
What does "naturalized citizen" mean?
A naturalized citizen is someone who was not born a citizen but has legally obtained citizenship through the naturalization process.
Does denizen status provide any legal protections?
Legal protections for denizens vary widely and are less comprehensive than those for citizens.
Are all residents of a country considered citizens?
No, not all residents are citizens; some may be denizens, holding fewer rights.
Can citizenship be revoked?
Yes, in some cases, such as fraud in the naturalization process or treason, citizenship can be revoked.
What impact does citizenship have on employment opportunities?
Citizens often have access to a wider range of employment opportunities, including government jobs that are not available to non-citizens.
Can a denizen own property?
Property ownership for denizens varies by country; some allow it, while others may impose restrictions.
How does one lose denizen status?
Denizen status can be lost by moving away from the area or, in some cases, if legal residency permits are revoked.
Is citizenship required to receive healthcare benefits?
In many countries, healthcare benefits are more accessible to citizens, though some services may be available to denizens.
What are civic duties of citizens compared to denizens?
Citizens often have civic duties like voting and jury duty, which are not required of denizens.
How does one prove their citizenship versus denizen status?
Citizenship is usually proven by documents like a passport or birth certificate, while denizen status may be shown with residency permits or similar documentation.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
