Citizenship by Descent: What it is and How to Apply in 2026

Citizenship by descent (CBD), also known as citizenship through ancestry, allows you to become a citizen of a country if you have a parent, grandparent, or sometimes even earlier ancestors from that country. It is based on the principle of jus sanguinis “right of blood”, meaning citizenship is passed through family lines rather than where you were born. To qualify, you have to prove a clear and unbroken family connection using official documents such as birth, marriage, and citizenship records.

If you’re wondering how to get citizenship through ancestry, this guide covers everything you need to know. You’ll learn how citizenship by descent works, who qualifies, which countries offer it, and an overview of the application process.

Citizenship by Descent: Key Takeaways

Citizenship by descent allows you to become a citizen through your parents, grandparents, or ancestors if you can prove a clear family connection.

Each country has its own rules, but key factors include cut-off dates, generation limits, and proving an unbroken family line.

You will need official documents like birth, marriage, and citizenship records for every generation in your family line.

The application process includes checking eligibility, gathering documents, legalizing and translating them, and submitting your application.

Once approved, you can receive citizenship, apply for a passport, and enjoy benefits like living, working, and traveling more freely.

Citizenship by descent, also known as jus sanguinis (right of blood), is a legal rule where citizenship is determined by the nationality of one or both parents rather than the place of birth. This allows people to claim citizenship in a country based on their ancestral ties, even if they have never lived there.

The process involves providing proof of an unbroken lineage through documents like birth, marriage, and death certificates to establish a direct connection to a qualifying ancestor. Some nations limit this to one generation, others allow claims through grandparents or even great-grandparents, if the specific historical and legal criteria are met.

Eligibility for citizenship by descent comes from your parents or ancestors, not your place of birth, and each country has its own rules based on these 4 factors:

1. Cut-off dates in citizenship laws

Several countries have a specific date in history that defines who qualifies for citizenship by descent, and these dates are normally linked to events like independence. For example, some countries only recognize ancestors who were alive and held citizenship after a specific year of national unification or the passing of a particular constitution.

2. The unbroken lineage 

The most important aspect of proving the right to citizenship through ancestry is showing that citizenship was successfully transferred from one generation to the next without being broken. You can not qualify if: 

• An ancestor naturalized in a foreign country before the next person in your line was born.
• An ancestor renounced their original citizenship.
• The lineage passed through a female ancestor during a time when the law only recognized transmission through the paternal line, but some countries have since updated these laws.

3. Generation limits

Every country sets its own laws on how many generations back you can go:

• Single generation/direct: Many countries limit claims strictly to children of citizens.
• Extended ancestry: Some countries allow claims from grandparents or great-grandparents. 

1. Access to dual or multiple citizenship: Most countries that recognize citizenship through ancestry also allow dual citizenship. This allows you to keep your existing nationality while gaining the benefits of a second citizenship.
2. A second passport with expanded travel freedom: Once your citizenship is confirmed, you can apply for a second passport, which will come with more visa-free access, the ability to live or work abroad, and entry into other regions like the EU and the Schengen Area, depending on the country.
3. No residency or language requirements: Unlike naturalization, most CBD programs do not require time spent living in the country, language tests, or integration exams. Eligibility is based on lineage, not physical presence.
4. Generational continuity: Citizenship acquired through ancestry can be passed on to your children, which acts as an unconventional investment that will create opportunities for future generations.
5. Cultural and personal connection: For many applicants, citizenship by descent reinforces heritage, identity, and belonging, especially among families with a strong cultural or historical link to the country.

• Proof of ancestry: You have to provide full, long-form birth certificates for yourself and each person in your family line.
• Proof of your ancestor’s citizenship: This can include a birth certificate, passport, or national ID from their home country.
• Proof of an unbroken family line: You need to show that your ancestor did not give up their citizenship or become a citizen of another country before the next generation was born.
• Marriage and death certificates: These documents help connect each generation and explain any name changes.
• Document legalization (Apostille): Foreign documents need to be officially certified to be accepted.
• Certified translations: Any documents not in the official language must be translated by an approved translator.
• Application forms: You have to complete and submit the correct government forms for your application.
• Identity documents: A valid passport and recent passport photos are required.
• Application fees: You need to pay government or consulate fees, which are non-refundable.
• Language or cultural requirements (if needed):  Some countries might require basic language skills or proof of a connection to the country.

Step 1:  Confirm eligibility 

Before even beginning to collect the required documents, you first need to make sure you qualify and verify the unbroken chain of citizenship. This involves keeping track of dates, such as whether your ancestor was a citizen of the home country at the precise moment the next generation was born, and then confirming that your ancestor was a citizen of the home country at that moment. This is the most common reason applications are rejected.

Step 2: Collect the documents

When you have confirmed, the next step will be one of the most time-consuming ones, which is gathering all the required documents. This includes birth certificates, marriage and death certificates, and naturalization records. All documents issued outside the country should be apostilled and translated into the official language by a certified translator.

Step 3: Submission and interview

Applications are submitted at the embassy or consulate responsible for where you live. You will need to complete the required forms, such as citizenship determination or registration forms. Depending on the country, you might need to attend a short interview to confirm your identity or basic language ability. You will also need to pay a non-refundable application fee at this stage.

Step 5: Final decision and approval

The government will review your application and check your documents against official records. If you are approved, you will receive proof of citizenship, such as a certificate or registered birth record. Once your citizenship is confirmed, you can apply for your passport.

How Can Global Citizen Solutions Help You?

Global Citizen Solutions is a boutique migration consultancy firm with years of experience delivering bespoke residence and citizenship by investment solutions for international families. With offices worldwide and an experienced, hands-on team, we have helped hundreds of clients worldwide acquire citizenship, residence visas, or homes while diversifying their portfolios with robust investments. 

We guide you from start to finish, taking you beyond your citizenship or residency by investment application.