As of 2026, 33 countries, such as the United States, Canada, and Argentina, grant automatic birthright citizenship to children born in their territory, regardless of their parents’ nationality or immigration status.
Another 47 countries provide conditional or limited forms of jus soli, based on factors such as parental residence, a parent’s birthplace, or a later declaration.
While unrestricted birthright citizenship remains common in the Americas, many European countries with birthright citizenship apply conditions, such as a parent’s legal permanent residency or years of continuous residence. These differences influence nationality, immigration policy, and the prevention of statelessness.
In this guide, we provide the list of countries with birthright citizenship in 2026, both unconditional and conditional, and explore how Global Citizen Solutions (GCS) can help foreign nationals who want to explore this path plan for their families’ future immigration needs.
Countries with Birthright Citizenship – Key Takeaways
What is birthright citizenship?
Birthright citizenship is a legal right that grants nationality to individuals born within a country’s territory, regardless of their parents’ citizenship or immigration status. Rooted in the legal principle of jus soli (“right of the soil”), it means that citizenship is acquired by place of birth rather than by descent.
This system is distinct from jus sanguinis (“right of blood”), in which a child’s nationality is determined by the citizenship of one or both parents, regardless of where the child is born. Many nations apply a mix of both principles, but countries with birthright citizenship base at least part of their nationality law on jus soli.
Historically, birthright citizenship has been used to:
- Encourage integration of newcomers
- Prevent statelessness, particularly for children of unknown or stateless parents
- Establish a clear and inclusive path to automatic citizenship at birth
This right can take the form of unconditional birthright citizenship, which provides automatic citizenship to all children born on national soil (with few exceptions, such as children of foreign diplomats), or conditional birthright citizenship, where at least one parent must meet certain residency or citizenship requirements. These differences form the basis for the two types of birthright citizenship.
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Types of Birthright Citizenship Around the World
Globally, countries with birthright citizenship fall into two broad categories:
Unrestricted jus soli (unconditional birthright Citizenship)
In this category, citizenship is automatically granted to nearly all individuals born in the country, regardless of their parents’ nationality or legal status. Exceptions are rare and typically include children of foreign diplomats or enemy forces in hostile occupation. This model is most common in the Americas, where countries such as the United States, Canada, and Brazil guarantee citizenship at birth.
Restricted jus soli (conditional birthright citizenship)
Under conditional jus soli, birth in the country creates citizenship or eligibility only when additional requirements are met. These may include a parent’s residence or birthplace, residence by the child, or an application, registration, or declaration. This approach is more typical in European countries with birthright citizenship, like Portugal, France, and Germany, as well as in parts of Asia and Africa.
| Type of birthright citizenship | Number of Countries | How it works |
|---|---|---|
| Applicable and automatic | 33 | Citizenship is acquired automatically by birth in the country, regardless of the parents’ nationality or immigration status. Limited exceptions may apply. |
| Parent also born in the country | 25 | The child must be born in the country and at least one parent must generally have been born there. This is often called double jus soli. |
| Parental legal-residence requirement | 14 | Citizenship depends on a parent’s legal residence, permanent status or qualifying period of residence. Exact conditions vary. |
| Limited to particular groups | 5 | Territorial citizenship is available only to certain ethnic, national, religious, or other legally defined groups. |
| Generally applicable but must be claimed | 3 | Birth in the country creates eligibility, but citizenship must be claimed through an application or declaration. |
Source: Pew Research Center’s March 2026 analysis of the GLOBALCIT Citizenship Law Dataset
List of Countries With Birthright Citizenship
80 countries have some form of birthright citizenship in 2026 . These countries follow either unrestricted jus soli (automatic citizenship to almost anyone born in the country) or conditional jus soli (citizenship granted only when specific criteria are met, such as a parent’s residency or citizenship status).
The tables below provide a list of countries with birthright citizenship, grouped by type and region. Note that these tables reproduce the categories assigned in Pew’s chart, but they are not the total number of countries operating each route, because national laws overlap.
Countries with automatic birthright citizenship
33 countries currently allow automatic birthright citizenship.
| Region | Countries |
|---|---|
| North America | Canada, Mexico, United States |
| Central America | Belize, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama |
| Caribbean | Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Cuba, Dominica, Grenada, Jamaica, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago |
| South America | Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela |
| Africa | Benin, Chad, Lesotho, Mozambique |
| Asia | Pakistan |
| Oceania | Tuvalu |
Note that ‘automatic’ does not mean that every country on this list has identical rules. There may be exceptions for children of foreign diplomats, foreign government employees, or enemy occupying forces. Administrative practice may also be different from the written law.
Countries with conditional birthright citizenship
| Double jus soli: Parent also born in the country | Parent must meet a legal-residence requirement |
|---|---|
| Belgium, Brunei, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Cameroon, France, Gabon, Greece, Guinea, Iran, Luxembourg, Mali, Malta, Morocco, Netherlands, Niger, Portugal, Republic of the Congo, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Spain, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tunisia and Yemen | Australia, Cabo Verde, Chile, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Germany, Ireland, Kosovo, Malaysia, Namibia, New Zealand, São Tomé and Príncipe, Thailand and the United Kingdom |
Note that Portugal also operates a residence-based route. Under the Lei Orgânica n.º 1/2026, de 18 de maio (Organic Law No. 1/2026 of 18 May), effective from 19 May 2026, a child born in Portugal may qualify if a parent has legally resided there for at least five years, and the required declaration is made.
Countries with birthright citizenship limited to particular groups
The countries that only allow birthright citizenship for specific groups of people are: Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Israel, Liberia, and Uganda.
Note that provisions are not available to all foreign families from these countries. Eligibility may depend on ancestry, ethnicity, religion, a parent’s nationality, or another legally defined connection.
Birthright citizenship available through application or declaration
The countries that allow birthright citizenship through application or declaration are Costa Rica, Paraguay, and Moldova. Birth in these countries can establish eligibility, but citizenship is not necessarily documented or recognized without an application, declaration, or registration procedure.
Countries With More Than One Birthright Citizenship Route
Some countries have more than one route through which children born there may acquire citizenship and therefore cannot be boxed into one category.
Depending on the country, citizenship may be acquired automatically at birth, automatically at a later age, or through registration or declaration. Some countries with this distinction are:
| Country | How a child born there may qualify | When citizenship is granted |
|---|---|---|
| Belgium | A parent was also born in Belgium and lived there for five of the previous ten years before the birth; the child would otherwise be stateless; or the parents make a qualifying declaration before age 12, provided the parents have had their main residence in Belgium for at least 10 years | At birth, upon becoming stateless before 18, or from the declaration date. |
| Portugal | A parent was also born and lives in Portugal; a parent legally lived there for five years before the birth and a declaration is made; or the child has no other nationality. | Effective from birth, although the five-year route requires a declaration. |
| France | A parent was also born in France; the child is stateless; or the child meets residence requirements for citizenship between ages 13 and 18. | At birth, following a declaration from age 13, or automatically at 18. |
| Ireland | A parent is Irish or British, has an unrestricted right to reside, or legally lived on the island for three of the four years before the birth. Stateless children also qualify. | From birth |
| United Kingdom | A parent is British or settled; a parent later gains that status; the child lives in the UK for the first ten years; or the child qualifies under statelessness rules. | At birth under the first route; otherwise after registration. |
| Australia | A parent is an Australian citizen or permanent resident; the child ordinarily lives there for their first ten years; or the child is stateless. | At birth, automatically at age ten, or after a statelessness application is approved. |
Note that these are selected countries and not an exhaustive list.
| Country | Region | Type | Conditions / Notes |
| United States | Americas | Unrestricted Jus Soli | Automatic citizenship to anyone born in the country, except children of foreign diplomats. |
| Canada | Americas | Unrestricted Jus Soli | Grants citizenship regardless of parents’ nationality or immigration status. |
| Mexico | Americas | Unrestricted Jus Soli | Birth in Mexico grants citizenship; exceptions for children of foreign diplomats. |
| Brazil | Americas | Unrestricted Jus Soli | Citizenship by birth within the country’s territory. |
| Argentina | Americas | Unrestricted Jus Soli | No residency or citizenship requirement for parents. |
| Chile | Americas | Unrestricted Jus Soli | Automatic, with narrow exceptions for diplomats. |
| Barbados | Americas | Unrestricted Jus Soli | Citizenship granted regardless of parents’ status. |
| Jamaica | Americas | Unrestricted Jus Soli | Applies to all children born in Jamaica, except diplomat children. |
| Uruguay | Americas | Unrestricted Jus Soli | Automatic for those born in Uruguay. |
| Venezuela | Americas | Unrestricted Jus Soli | Birth in the country confers citizenship. |
| Portugal | Europe (EU) | Conditional Jus Soli | One parent must have legally resided for at least 1 year before birth. |
| France | Europe (EU) | Conditional Jus Soli | Citizenship if a parent was also born in France or meets residency requirements. |
| Germany | Europe (EU) | Conditional Jus Soli | At least one parent must have been a legal resident for 8+ years. |
| Ireland | Europe (EU) | Conditional Jus Soli | Requires one parent to have legally resided for 3 of the previous 4 years before birth. |
| United Kingdom | Europe | Conditional Jus Soli | Citizenship if a parent is a British citizen or settled in the UK. |
| Australia | Oceania | Conditional Jus Soli | Citizenship if a parent is a citizen or permanent resident. |
| New Zealand | Oceania | Conditional Jus Soli | At least one parent must be a citizen or resident. |
| Pakistan | Asia | Conditional Jus Soli | Grants citizenship by birth, with exceptions (e.g., children of diplomats). |
| Thailand | Asia | Conditional Jus Soli | Citizenship if a parent has permanent residency. |
| Lesotho | Africa | Conditional Jus Soli | Citizenship if at least one parent is a citizen or legal resident. |
| Chad | Africa | Conditional Jus Soli | Birthright applies when parents are residents or citizens. |
Pros and Cons of Birthright Citizenship
Like most nationality laws, birthright citizenship has both advantages and challenges. Countries that grant citizenship to children born on their soil often do so to promote fairness and prevent statelessness, while others have restricted or abolished the practice to address concerns about immigration policy and birth tourism.
Pros
- Automatic citizenship at birth: Provides a clear, simple path to nationality for individuals born within a country’s territory, regardless of their parents’ nationality.
- Prevents statelessness: Protects children of unknown or stateless parents, ensuring they are not left without a legal nationality.
- Encourages social inclusion: Allows children of immigrants or foreign nationals to integrate from birth, fostering stronger ties to the country.
- Legal clarity: Reduces disputes about who qualifies as a citizen, minimizing legal challenges and uncertainty.
- Human rights benefits: Recognized by many legal scholars as a safeguard for equality and a tool against discrimination.
Cons
- Immigration policy concerns: Critics argue that unconditional birthright citizenship may encourage illegal immigration or birth tourism, where individuals travel specifically to secure citizenship for their child.
- Conditional requirements create complexity: In countries with conditional birthright citizenship, families must prove parents’ legal status, which can lead to administrative burdens and denied citizenship claims.
- Legal and political debates: In some nations, birthright citizenship is subject to constitutional amendments, executive orders, or rulings by the Supreme Court, leading to uncertainty and frequent policy debates.
- Exclusions: Most systems exclude children of foreign diplomats or individuals not under the country’s jurisdiction, which can create rare but complex cases.
- Potential for inequality: Where rules differ between unrestricted jus soli and restricted jus soli, access to citizenship may depend heavily on immigration history rather than the principle of equal treatment.
Documentation and Requirements for Citizenship by Birth
In conditional birthright citizenship systems, applicants must provide:
- Birth certificate issued in the country that records the birth.
- Proof of parents’ legal status (citizenship, permanent residency, or length of stay).
- In some countries, proof of foreign parents’ marriage or residency continuity.
Additional documents may also be requested, depending on the country/jurisdiction. Note that failure to meet documentation standards can delay or deny citizenship, especially in countries with stricter eligibility rules.
Alternative Routes to Citizenship
You’ve read birthright citizenship countries list and what they require to grant it, but if you don’t have a claim to birthright citizenship, there are alternative methods on how to get second citizenship, such as:
Citizenship by Naturalization
Naturalization is the most common way people obtain second or multiple citizenship. Citizenship by naturalization usually involves an individual being a legal resident in a country for a specified number of years and then applying for citizenship.
If you’re fortunate, a company will sponsor your work visa for enough time for you to be naturalized. Receiving lawful permanent residence in Europe long enough to acquire citizenship can be challenging. It often takes a long and earnest commitment, such as marriage and residency for a number of years, often five, as is the case in Portugal.
Citizenship by Investment
The fastest way for some citizens to be granted citizenship other than by birthright is Citizenship by Investment (CBI).
Most common investment options include real estate purchases, investments in business ventures, government bonds, or donations to economic development funds. Each country will have its own specific requirements.
Typical investment amounts for Citizenship by Investment programs vary significantly, but they generally range from as little as $100,000 to over a million, such as $250,000 for the St. Kitts & Nevis CBI and the $130,000 for Vanuatu CBI.
Citizenship by Marriage
Citizenship by marriage is a legal pathway that enables a foreign national to acquire citizenship in a country by marrying one of its citizens.
This process often involves meeting specific conditions, such as residing in the country for a certain period, maintaining a genuine marital relationship, and undergoing background checks.
The application process typically requires the foreign spouse to provide documentation, including a valid passport, birth and marriage certificates, proof of cohabitation, and evidence of financial stability.
Several countries offer relatively straightforward paths to citizenship through marriage, often with minimal residency requirements and shorter marriage durations.
Naturalization, citizenship by investment, and marriage-based pathways may eventually lead to citizenship, subject to residence, eligibility, and approval requirements. Applicants must also check whether their existing country permits dual citizenship.
These methods above all allow you to get a second passport in a country you may not otherwise have access to or might have to wait a long time to become a citizen of.
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