If you have European lineage, you may be eligible for European Union citizenship by descent. This is a legal pathway that allows individuals to reclaim the citizenship of their ancestors.
Holding an EU passport is beneficial in many ways. It can offer increased travel freedom, a gateway to new business opportunities, security, access to better healthcare and reconnection with ancestral roots.
Unlike naturalization, which often requires years of residency, language proficiency, and integration, citizenship by descent can be a faster and more accessible route.
In this article, we’ll clarify what EU citizenship by descent is, including eligibility, required documents and popular countries that offer ancestral citizenship:
What is EU Citizenship by Descent?
Citizenship by descent in the context of the European Union (EU) refers to the process of acquiring citizenship in an EU member country based on your ancestry. This is typically through a parent, grandparent or, in some cases, a great-grandparent. If you successfully obtain citizenship in an EU country via descent, you also gain the same rights as an EU citizen.
Some of the many benefits of EU citizenship include:
- The right to live, work, and study in any of the 27 EU member states.
- Visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to over 170 countries.
- Access to EU healthcare and education systems.
- The right to vote in EU elections (if residing in an EU country).
Each country has its own rules about how far back lineage can be traced, what documents are needed, and whether renunciation of other citizenships is required.
What Is the Eligibility Criteria for EU Citizenship by Descent?
EU citizenship by descent is primarily available to individuals who have at least one parent who was a citizen of an EU country at the time of their birth.
However, some European countries extend eligibility to more distant ancestors, including grandparents and great-grandparents, but under specific conditions. If you want to obtain European citizenship and, by extension, get an EU passport to move freely throughout other EU countries, there are a few requirements:
Eligibility Criteria
Parental Citizenship: The most prevalent requirement for eligibility is that at least one of the applicant’s parents was a citizen of the country during the time of their birth. This type of lineage is usually easy to establish and requires less extensive documentation compared to claims based on older ancestral links.
Grandparents and Beyond: Certain countries permit individuals to claim citizenship based on their grandparents or even great-grandparents. It often involves more intricate documentation in order to establish proof of lineage. For instance, Italy and Ireland are countries where citizenship can potentially be claimed through grandparents or great-grandparents if the lineage is adequately documented and specific conditions are met.
Documentation Required
Applicants typically need to provide a range of documents to support their claims, depending on the EU country. These may include:
- Birth Certificates: To prove direct lineage to the ancestor who currently has or had European citizenship in the past.
- Marriage Certificates: To establish the familial connections between generations.
- Death Certificates: Sometimes required to prove the ancestor did not renounce their citizenship before their death.
- Proof of Ancestor’s Citizenship: Such as their birth certificate, passport, or other national identification.
Special Circumstances
Reclamation of Citizenship: In some cases, descendants of individuals who lost their citizenship due to historical, racial, or ethnic persecution may reclaim it. For instance, descendants of the Jews who fled Germany during the Nazi regime can reclaim their German citizenship.
Changes in Borders: Descendants of people from territories that have changed nationalities (due to shifts in national borders) might be eligible for citizenship based on ancestral nationality prior to border changes.
Check out our guide to getting citizenship by descent in Portugal
8 EU Countries that Grant Citizenship by Descent
Several EU countries offer individuals the opportunity to gain citizenship through descent, although the details of these citizenship laws differ:
1. Ireland
Generational eligibility: 3rd generation
Irish citizenship by descent is available for individuals with at least one Irish parent or grandparent. If one of your parents was an Irish citizen at birth, you automatically qualify for Irish citizenship.
Additionally, suppose a grandparent was born in Ireland. In that case, you can claim citizenship by registering your birth in the Foreign Births Register before you have a child to ensure citizenship is passed to the next generation.
This system allows families with Irish heritage to maintain a connection with Ireland across multiple generations, providing the right to live, work, and study in Ireland and throughout the European Union.
2. Italy
Generational eligibility: 3rd generation or earlier
Italian citizenship by descent works according to the principle of “jure sanguinis” (right of blood), allowing individuals with Italian ancestors to acquire citizenship with no generational limit, provided there’s an unbroken line of Italian citizenship from the ancestor to the applicant.
This means the Italian ancestors must not have naturalized as citizens of another country before the birth of their child or renounced their Italian citizenship.
Applicants must provide extensive documentation, including birth, marriage, and death certificates from every generation linking them to their Italian ancestors. This allows descendants to reconnect with their Italian heritage and enjoy the benefits of EU citizenship.
3. Poland
Generational eligibility: 3rd generation or earlier
Polish citizenship by descent is available to individuals with at least one ancestor who was a Polish citizen, typically up to the second or third generation (parent, grandparent, or great-grandparent).
Poland follows the jus sanguinis (right of blood) principle, meaning citizenship is passed down through family lineage, regardless of where you were born.
To qualify, you must prove that your ancestor was a Polish citizen after 1920 and that they did not lose their citizenship before it could be passed on. This can involve showing documents such as Polish passports, military records, or civil registry entries.
This path is ideal for individuals looking to reconnect with their Polish roots and secure EU mobility for themselves and future generations as it can be passed on down the line.
4. Germany
Generational eligibility: 1st generation only
Germany offers citizenship by descent to those born to at least one German parent, irrespective of place of birth. This right extends to individuals whose parents were German citizens at the time of their birth.
Additionally, descendants of those persecuted and stripped of their German citizenship during the Nazi regime may also be eligible to reclaim German citizenship. Applicants must provide birth certificates and other relevant documentation proving their lineage.
The process ensures that citizenship can be passed down and enables individuals to reconnect with their German heritage, granting them the rights and privileges of living and working throughout the EU.
5. Greece
Generational eligibility: 3rd generation
Greece offers citizenship by descent to individuals who can prove that one or both of their parents or a grandparent were Greek nationals.
Applicants must provide official documentation such as birth certificates and marriage certificates linking them to their Greek ancestors to claim Greek citizenship. These documents must be registered in the Greek Municipal Records.
The process allows descendants of Greeks to reconnect with their heritage and enjoy the benefits of EU citizenship, including the right to live, work, and travel across the European Union. It’s a pathway that facilitates cultural connection and extends substantial economic and social opportunities across Europe.
6. Portugal
Generational eligibility: 2nd generation
Portugal citizenship by descent allows individuals to claim citizenship if they have at least one Portuguese parent or grandparent.
For those with a Portuguese parent, citizenship can typically be acquired relatively straightforwardly through birth registration in the Portuguese civil registry.
For grandchildren of people with Portuguese citizenship, the process involves proving the grandparent’s nationality and demonstrating ties to the Portuguese community, which may include language proficiency.
This pathway allows individuals with Portuguese ancestry to connect with their heritage and enjoy the benefits of EU citizenship, such as the right to live, work, and travel freely within the European Union.
7. Hungary
Generational eligibility: 3rd generation or earlier
Like other EU member states, Hungary offers citizenship by descent to those who can prove Hungarian ancestry, typically extending eligibility to individuals with at least one Hungarian parent or grandparent.
The process involves demonstrating the Hungarian citizenship of ancestors at the time of the applicant’s or their parent’s birth, depending on the generational link. Applicants must provide birth and marriage certificates and may need to prove some knowledge of the Hungarian language.
Hungarian citizenship by descent enables foreigners to connect with their Hungarian roots. It offers benefits such as the right to live, work, and travel freely within the European Union, leveraging the cultural and economic opportunities it provides.
8. Spain
Generational eligibility: 2nd generation
Spanish citizenship by descent is a process that allows individuals with a Spanish parent or grandparent to apply for Spanish nationality. Known as “nacionalidad por descendencia,” this process is based on Spanish ancestry and allows those with a direct Spanish lineage to claim Spanish citizenship.
Eligibility includes having at least one parent who is a Spanish citizen, both parents born in Spain, or being adopted by a Spanish citizen before turning 18. People with Spanish grandparents may also apply, and individuals from Latin American countries with a Spanish grandparent are eligible under specific conditions.
Having Spanish citizenship offers various benefits, such as visa-free travel or visa-on-arrival access to over 150 countries and the right to live and work anywhere in the European Union without needing additional permits.
More EU Countries Offering Citizenship by Descent
EU Country Offering Ancestral Citizenship | Generational Eligibility |
Austria | 1st generation only |
Belgium | 1st generation only |
Bulgaria | 3rd generation |
Croatia | 2nd generation |
Cyprus | 1st generation only |
Czech Republic | 2nd generation |
Denmark | 1st generation only |
Estonia | 1st generation only |
Finland | 1st generation only |
France | 1st generation only |
Iceland | 1st generation only |
Latvia | 3rd generation or earlier |
Liechtenstein | 1st generation only |
Lithuania | 3rd generation or earlier |
Malta | 2nd generation |
Netherlands | 1st generation only |
Norway | 1st generation only |
Slovakia | 3rd generation (legislation pending) |
Slovenia | 2nd generation |
Sweden | 1st generation only |
Switzerland | 1st generation only |
Additional Paths to EU Citizenship
Apart from obtaining citizenship through descent, there are various other ways to get EU citizenship:
- Citizenship by Naturalization: This pathway to becoming a citizen of an EU country involves living there for a specific duration, usually ranging between 5 to 10 years, depending on the laws of the country and potentially taking a citizenship test.
- Citizenship via Marriage: Some countries expedite the citizenship process for spouses of EU citizens.
- Citizenship by Investment: Several European Union (EU) countries have introduced Golden Visa programs that provide residency permits to non-EU nationals who make significant investments in the country.
- Refuge and Protection: Individuals who are granted refugee status or protection can eventually apply for citizenship.
How to get Citizenship by Investment: Ultimate Guide to the Best Programs
How Can Global Citizen Solutions Help You?
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Frequently Asked Questions About EU Citizenship by Descent
Can I obtain EU citizenship through my grandparents?
Yes, in many EU countries, you can get citizenship by descent (CBD) if you can prove that your ancestors were born in an EU country.
This is typically through a parent, but in some instances you may also need to prove that your grandparents or great-grandparents were born in that country as well.
What documents do I need to prove my descent?
Generally, you will need to provide birth, marriage, and death certificates for all generations between you and the EU citizen ancestor. These documents must often be officially translated and certified. You may also need documentation proving your ancestor’s citizenship status at the time of their child’s birth.
Are there any costs involved in applying for citizenship by descent in Europe?
Is there a generational limit to claiming citizenship by descent?
This depends on the country.
Some countries, like Italy, have no generational limit, allowing you to claim citizenship as long as you can prove an unbroken lineage and that no ancestor renounced their citizenship before the birth of the next in line.
Other countries might restrict citizenship by descent to one or two generations.
How long does the process take to obtain citizenship by descent?
The duration of the process can vary greatly depending on the country and the specifics of your case, including how quickly you can gather the necessary documents and the current processing times of the relevant citizenship authorities. It can take anywhere from several months to a few years.
Do I need to speak the language of the country to claim citizenship by descent?
This requirement varies by country. Some countries do not require you to speak the language if you are claiming citizenship by descent, while others might require language proficiency as part of demonstrating integration and eligibility for citizenship, especially if moving from descent claims to naturalization.
