EU Citizenship by Descent: How to Become a Citizen Through Ancestry

EU citizenship by descent, also known as European citizenship through ancestry, is a legal pathway that allows individuals to claim EU nationality if they can prove direct lineage to a parent, grandparent, or in some cases, a great-grandparent who was a citizen of an EU member state.

This right is grounded in the principle of jus sanguinis (citizenship by blood), and it enables people to reconnect with their ancestral roots while simultaneously unlocking the benefits of European citizenship.

Whether you’re looking to apply for EU citizenship by descent for personal, professional, or strategic reasons, this guide covers everything you need to know, from eligibility requirements and documentation to the application process and country-specific rules.

• What is EU citizenship by descent?
• Who qualifies for EU citizenship by descent?
• Required Documentation for Citizenship by Descent in Europe
• Step-by-Step Guide: How to Get EU Citizenship Through Ancestry
• EU Countries That Offer Citizenship by Descent
• Benefits of EU Citizenship by Descent
• Considerations Before Applying for EU Citizenship by Descent
• Frequently Asked Questions

What is EU citizenship by descent?

EU citizenship by descent, also called citizenship through ancestry, allows individuals to acquire nationality in an European Union (EU) member state based on their family heritage. This pathway is grounded in jus sanguinis (“right of blood”), meaning citizenship is passed down through parents or ancestors, regardless of birthplace.

If you can prove that a parent, grandparent, or sometimes even a great-grandparent was a citizen of an EU country, you may qualify to reclaim that citizenship. Unlike citizenship by naturalization, which requires residency, language skills, and integration, or citizenship by investment, which requires financial contributions, citizenship through ancestry is more direct and cost-effective.

While most countries require strong documentation, rules differ widely. For instance, Poland has no generational limit if continuity is proven, while Ireland restricts eligibility to parents or grandparents. Because there is no EU-wide standard, applicants must research the laws of their ancestral country.

In essence, EU citizenship by descent is one of the most accessible ways to gain European citizenship. It not only reconnects families with their heritage but also provides full EU rights, including freedom of movement, visa-free travel, and the ability to live and work anywhere in the EU.

Who qualifies for EU citizenship by descent?

The eligibility for EU citizenship by descent depends entirely on the nationality laws of the specific EU member country.

Most countries recognize claims from children of citizens, and many extend eligibility to grandchildren or even great-grandchildren. This is where generational limits come into play which is the maximum number of generations you can go back to claim citizenship. Some examples include:

• Ireland: You can become an Irish citizen if a parent or grandparent was born in Ireland. Great-grandchildren may qualify for an Irish passport if their parent registered in the Foreign Births Register before they were born.
• Italy: Italian citizenship is now limited to parents or grandparents who were Italian citizens at the time of their child’s birth, ending the previous unlimited generational claims.
• Poland: Offers citizenship by descent with no strict generational limit, as long as the ancestral chain of citizenship was never broken.
• Germany: Generally limited to parents, with special exceptions for descendants of those persecuted during the Nazi regime.
• Portugal and Spain: Typically limited to parents or grandparents, though Spain includes additional pathways to Spanish citizenship for descendants of Sephardic Jews.

Applicants must provide official documents to prove their lineage, including birth certificates, marriage certificates, and death certificates. This legal documentation serves as evidence that the ancestor was indeed a citizen of the EU country during a relevant time period.

In many cases, governments require certified translations to be done (especially in countries where the official language may not be English) and they may also ask applicants to work with a genealogist or citizenship specialist to reconstruct family history when records are incomplete.

It’s important to note that there is no common EU-wide rule for citizenship by descent. Each EU country has its own laws, generational restrictions, and documentation requirements.

This means that someone with an Irish grandparent may easily qualify for Irish citizenship, while someone with a German grandparent may not automatically qualify for German nationality.

In summary, you may qualify for citizenship by descent in Europe if:

• You can prove a direct bloodline (jus sanguinis) to an EU citizen ancestor.
• Your ancestor did not renounce their citizenship before it could be passed down.
• You meet the generational limits set by the ancestral country in question.

For many applicants, the eligibility question comes down to tracing family history and verifying whether the citizenship link was maintained legally through each generation.

Required Documentation for Citizenship by Descent in Europe

Applying for EU citizenship by descent requires substantial proof of your ancestral lineage.

Governments expect applicants to provide a clear, verifiable paper trail that connects them directly to their ancestor. Requirements obviously vary so the exact documents you’ll need depend on the ancestral country, but most nations request the following:

• Birth certificates: This refers to your own birth certificate as well as those of your parent(s), grandparent(s), or great-grandparent(s).
• Marriage certificates: This can establish family connections and prove changes in surnames over generations.
• Death certificates: This helps to confirm the dates of an ancestor’s life or to prove that they did not naturalize in another country during their lifetime.
• Old passports or identity papers: These can be used as evidence of your ancestor’s nationality at a given time.
• Civil registration records and naturalization papers: Civil records may prove continuous residency or nationality, while naturalization papers can clarify whether an ancestor retained their original citizenship or potentially renounced it.

Supporting roles in documentation

• Certified translators: Since most EU countries require official documentation in their own language, applicants often need professional certified translations, recognized by local authorities.
• Genealogists: Experts in family history can help trace missing records or reconstruct an ancestral line when official documents are scarce.
• Immigration lawyers/citizenship specialists: Professionals familiar with local nationality laws can ensure that documents meet the exact format required by the relevant government office.

Common challenges

Many applicants face obstacles such as lost, damaged, or destroyed records, particularly when dealing with older generations.

Wars, migration, and poor record keeping mean that sometimes civil registries don’t exist or have gaps. In these cases, secondary evidence, such as church baptismal records, census records, or military service documents, may be accepted. The process can therefore be time-consuming and legally complex, despite it being seen as an “easy” route to citizenship.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Get EU Citizenship Through Ancestry

If you’ve discovered a parent, grandparent, or great-grandparent from Europe, you might be wondering how to get EU citizenship through ancestry.

While the specific requirements differ by country, the process generally follows these key steps:

1. Identify your ancestral country: Start by determining where your ancestor came from. Since citizenship by descent in Europe is handled individually by each EU member state, this is essential as you need to apply through that country’s government.
2. Research that country’s citizenship laws: Review the nationality rules of your ancestral country, paying close attention to generational limits. For example, Ireland recognizes up to grandparents, while Italy used to have no limitations but recently became stricter.
3. Confirm your eligibility: Make sure your ancestor held citizenship at the time of their child’s birth and did not renounce it. This step may involve checking naturalization records in the country where your ancestor emigrated to or where they were born.
4. Collect the required documents: Gather birth, marriage, and death certificates, along with supporting documents like passports or military records. You will likely need certified copies issued by civil registries or archives.
5. Translate and legalize your documents: Most EU states require documents in their national language. This means working with a certified translator and often legalizing the papers with an apostille stamp to ensure its validity can be verified.
6. Prepare and submit the application: Complete the official forms for the citizenship by descent application process and submit them, along with your documentation, to the relevant ministry or consulate. Some countries allow filing abroad via embassies, while others require you to submit documents in person.
7. Wait for approval: Processing times vary widely. Ireland may take less than a year, while Italy or Poland can take two to four years due to bureaucratic backlogs. During this period, you may be asked for further corroborating documents or clarifications.

EU Countries That Offer Citizenship by Descent

There is no single EU-wide process for acquiring nationality through ancestry. Instead, each EU member state sets its own rules, generational limits, and documentation requirements. This means that someone who qualifies for Irish citizenship by descent may not automatically qualify for German citizenship, even if both ancestors came from the European Union.

For applicants, understanding these country-specific differences is crucial. Below is a comparison table followed by short overviews of the most popular countries offering EU citizenship through ancestry.

Be aware that this list highlights only the most popular EU countries for citizenship by descent, but it is not exhaustive.

Nearly every one of the 27 EU member states recognize some form of nationality through jus sanguinis (right of blood). However, many countries restrict eligibility to children of citizens only, making them less relevant for applicants seeking to claim citizenship through grandparents or more distant ancestors.

The countries we’ve focused on here provide the most accessible routes, offering clear procedures, recognition of multiple generations, or special historical provisions.

Other EU countries, such as France, Belgium, the Netherlands, or Scandinavian states, also allow citizenship by descent, but generally limit claims to one generation (citizen parent to child).

Country-specific overviews

Italy

Until 2025, Italian citizenship by descent was famous for its unlimited generational claims. However, new reforms now restrict Italian citizenship by descent to applicants with either an Italian parent or grandparent. This ends the broad claims previously available to great-grandchildren and beyond. Processing remains slow due to high global demand, but Italy still allows dual citizenship and does not impose language requirements.

Ireland

Irish citizenship by descent is available if you have an Irish-born parent or grandparent. Great-grandchildren may also qualify if their parent registered in the Foreign Births Register before their birth. Ireland is known for its relatively quick process to an Irish passport (often less than a year) with no language requirement, and broad acceptance of dual citizenship.

Poland

Poland maintains one of the most flexible systems in Europe. There is no generational limit, as long as the line of citizenship was never broken (i.e., your ancestor did not renounce Polish nationality). Applicants must prove continuous Polish citizenship, often through complex documentation. While no language test is required, the process can be bureaucratically challenging.

Germany

German citizenship by descent is usually restricted to children of German citizens. However, Germany introduced special restitution pathways for descendants of those stripped of citizenship during the Nazi era. These exceptions allow grandchildren and great-grandchildren of Holocaust survivors to reclaim nationality. Language skills may be required in some cases, and dual nationality is permitted under certain conditions.

Portugal

Portugal citizenship by descent is allowed through parents or grandparents. Applicants may also qualify under special provisions for descendants of Sephardic Jews expelled during the Inquisition, though this program has tightened in recent years. Portuguese nationality law permits dual citizenship and may require basic knowledge of Portuguese for some cases.

Spain

Spain’s citizenship by descent restricts claims to those with Spanish parents. However, unique historic laws grant nationality to descendants of Sephardic Jews and to individuals with Latin American ancestry, recognizing Spain’s cultural ties with its former colonies. Spain’s dual citizenship rules are more limited than other EU states, but exceptions apply for citizens of Ibero-American countries.

Benefits of EU Citizenship by Descent

Obtaining EU citizenship by descent unlocks a wide range of advantages that go beyond simply reconnecting with your ancestral roots.

For many applicants, this route offers life-changing opportunities, from enhanced mobility to social benefits that are normally only available to nationals of an EU member state.

Freedom of movement

As an EU citizen, you gain the automatic right to live, work, and study anywhere in the European Union. This includes access to professional opportunities, relocation flexibility, and the ability to retire in another European country without the need for visas or to apply for an EU residence permit.

For this reason, EU nations frequently rank among the best places to retire in the world, combining high-quality healthcare, strong social systems, and cultural richness. The right to live, work, and study in the EU also extends to your immediate family members in most cases.

Visa-free travel

A major attraction of acquiring an EU passport is its global mobility. According to the Global Citizen Solutions Passport Index, most EU passports rank among the world’s strongest, providing visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to over 170 destinations. This makes travel easier – not just within the EU but also globally.

Healthcare and education access

With EU citizenship, you are entitled to the public healthcare and education benefits in your country of nationality and, thanks to the reciprocal agreements that come with being a part of the European Union, in other countries in Europe as well.

This means you can get affordable or even free access to some countries with the best healthcare for expats, as well as discounted or no-cost university tuition fees across Europe.

Dual citizenship

One of the most appealing aspects of citizenship by descent in Europe is that many EU member states allow you to retain your existing nationality.

By becoming a dual citizen, you can enjoy the rights and benefits of both your current country of citizenship and your ancestral EU state, broadening both mobility and legal protections.

Inheritance for children

EU citizenship gained through ancestry is not exclusively for personal gain as it can become a legacy you pass down.

Once your citizenship is recognized, it can, in many cases, be passed down to your children and future generations, ensuring that your family maintains permanent access to Europe’s freedoms and opportunities.

This long-term benefit is why many applicants consider engaging in the process as a form of investment.

Considerations Before Applying for EU Citizenship by Descent

While EU citizenship through ancestry is often one of the most straightforward pathways to nationality, it is not without obstacles. Applicants should be aware of the following challenges before beginning the process.

Documentation difficulties

The process relies on official records such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, and death certificates to establish a continuous family link.

In some cases, these documents may be lost, destroyed, or incomplete, especially when dealing with ancestors who emigrated decades ago. Obtaining certified copies from civil registries or archives can be a complex process.

Processing delays

Even after submission, applications may take a few months or years to be approved.

For instance, Ireland may finalize applications in under a year, while Italy and Poland often take two to four years due to heavy demand and bureaucratic backlogs. Patience is required, as lengthy timelines are common across many EU states.

Legal complexity

Each EU country has its own specific rules and generational limits.

While Poland and Lithuania may allow unlimited descent claims, Ireland restricts eligibility to grandparents, and Italy recently reduced claims to parents or grandparents only.

Language or cultural requirements

Most countries do not require language tests for citizenship by descent, but there are exceptions.

Some EU states ask applicants to demonstrate a basic knowledge of the national language or to show integration into the culture.

This is less common than in naturalization, but worth verifying before applying.

Comparison with other pathways

While citizenship by descent can be highly rewarding, it is not always straightforward.

Alternative routes like citizenship by naturalization (through long-term residence) or citizenship by investment programs may be faster or simpler for certain applicants, especially those unable to trace their lineage through the necessary generations.

Frequently Asked Questions about EU Citizenship by Descent

What is EU citizenship by descent?

EU citizenship by descent means acquiring nationality of an EU member state through ancestry.

Under jus sanguinis (right of blood), you can claim citizenship if you can prove a parent, grandparent, or in some cases great-grandparent was an EU citizen of a member country.

How do I know if I qualify for EU citizenship through ancestry?

Eligibility depends on the laws of your ancestral country.

For example, Ireland allows claims through a grandparent, while countries like Poland have no generational limit as long as citizenship was never renounced by the family member.

Which European countries offer citizenship by descent?

Popular countries that grant citizenship by descent in Europe include Italy, Ireland, Poland, Portugal, Germany, Hungary, Lithuania, and Spain.

Each has its own rules and generational limits.

Can I get EU citizenship if my grandparents descended from Europe?

Yes, countries like Ireland, Italy, and Lithuania recognize claims through grandparents.

You’ll need official documents such as birth and marriage certificates to prove your ancestral link to your grandparents.

What documents are required for citizenship by descent in Europe?

Applicants typically need birth, marriage, and death certificates, naturalization records, and sometimes old passports.

If documents are in English, they need to be translated by a certified translator into the country’s native language and often legalized or apostilled.

Is there a limit to how many generations back I can claim EU citizenship?

Yes. Generational limits vary by country.

Ireland allows only one generation beyond parents (grandparents), while Luxembourg and Poland place no strict limits if continuous lineage can be proven.

How long does it take to obtain EU citizenship through ancestry?

Processing times vary from country to country. They generally range from 6 to 24 months.

Do I need to speak the language to get EU citizenship by descent?

Most EU countries do not require language proficiency for descent-based citizenship, unlike naturalization, which often requires a residency period and language test.

Can I pass EU citizenship to my children if I acquire it by descent?

Yes. Once granted, EU citizenship by descent is inheritable, meaning your children (and future generations, depending on the country in question’s laws) can also claim citizenship.

Is dual citizenship allowed when getting EU citizenship by descent?

Many EU countries, including Italy, Ireland, and Portugal, allow dual citizenship. Others, like Spain, restrict it except with specific countries. Always check your ancestral country’s laws.

How much does it cost to apply for EU citizenship by ancestry?

Government application fees usually range from €100 to €500.

Additional costs may include translations, genealogical research, and legal support, bringing the total to between €1,000 and €5,000+.

What are the benefits of EU citizenship through ancestry?

An EU passport allows you to live, work, and study in any EU member state, enjoy visa-free travel to 180+ countries, access European healthcare and education, and pass citizenship to future generations.