effect on 28 April 2008, Belgian citizens are allowed to voluntarily acquire and hold any other citizenships without losing their Belgian nationality. Belgian law therefore permits multiple/dual citizenship. However, other countries may not permit multiple/dual citizenship, which could require the renunciation of Belgian nationality. As far as the Belgian government is concerned, they only consider whether a person is or is not a Belgian citizen; they do not make distinctions based on which other nationalities a person may hold. Benefits of Belgian nationality Rights and responsibilities Belgian citizens are entitled to certain fundamental rights as set out in the Belgian Constitution. Citizens are entitled to hold a Belgian identity card and a Belgian passport. Citizens living in Belgium are required to register with their local municipality, through which they gain access to a variety of government services. They are also required to hold a Belgian identity card and carry it on them at all times outside their home. Citizens living abroad have the option, but not the obligation, to register with their local Belgian embassy or consulate, through which they can request some of the same services, such as renewing an identity card or passport. Quality of nationality As of 2018, Belgian nationality was ranked 11th in the Quality of Nationality Index (QNI), which ranks nationalities on a broader range of factors including economic strength, human development, ease of travel, political stability and overseas employment opportunities for their citizens. In 2020, Belgium was accorded a UN Human Development Index (HDI) score of 0.931, ranking the country 14th for quality of life. Citizenship of the European Union Because Belgium forms part of the European Union, Belgian citizens are also citizens of the European Union under European Union law. Belgian citizens thus enjoy the right of free movement to live and work in any country within the EU/EEA/Switzerland, as granted in Article 21 of the EU Treaty. Additionally, Belgian citizens have the right to vote in European Parliament elections and local elections in the European country where they reside. When in a non-EU country where there is no Belgian embassy, Belgian citizens have the right to seek consular protection from the embassy of any other EU country present in that country. Travel freedom Belgian citizens enjoy a high degree of travel freedom. As of 13 April 2021, Belgian citizens had visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 187 countries and territories, ranking the Belgian