Citizenship by descent
Your grandparents may have left you more than memories — many countries grant citizenship (and a passport) to descendants of their nationals. It's often free, and for EU countries, it unlocks the right to live and work anywhere in Europe.
How does citizenship by descent work?
Citizenship by descent (jus sanguinis) allows you to claim nationality through your parents, grandparents, or in some cases great-grandparents. Requirements vary by country — some require only proof of lineage, others need language proficiency or a visit. Italy has no generational limit. Ireland goes to grandparents. Poland and Hungary extend further with documentation. The process is typically free (aside from document fees) and results in full citizenship with a passport.
All 48 descent programmes
Albanian Citizenship by Descent
Albania
Citizenship by Descent (Jure Sanguinis)
Argentina
Armenian Citizenship by Descent
Armenia
Australian Citizenship by Descent
Australia
Citizenship by Descent (Nazi-Era Persecution)
Austria
Belgian Citizenship by Descent
Belgium
Brazilian Citizenship for Descendants of Italian/Japanese/German/Polish Emigrants
Brazil
Citizenship by Descent
Brazil
Bulgarian Citizenship by Descent
Bulgaria
Croatian Citizenship by Descent
Croatia
Citizenship by Descent
Czechia
Danish Citizenship by Descent
Denmark
Citizenship by Descent
Estonia
Finnish Citizenship by Descent
Finland
Citizenship by Descent (Jure Sanguinis)
France
Citizenship by Descent (§ 4 StAG)
Germany
Citizenship — Nazi-Era Persecution (§ 15)
Germany
Greek Citizenship by Descent
Greece
Citizenship by Descent
Hungary
Citizenship by Descent
Ireland
Law of Return (Aliyah)
Israel
Citizenship by Descent (Jure Sanguinis)
Italy
Citizenship by Descent
Latvia
Citizenship by Descent
Lithuania
Citizenship by Descent (3rd Generation)
Luxembourg
Fast-Track Naturalization via Ibero-American Treaty
Mexico
Citizenship by Descent / Romanian Ancestry Route
Moldova
Montenegrin Citizenship by Descent
Montenegro
Dutch Citizenship by Descent
Netherlands
New Zealand Citizenship by Descent
New Zealand
New Zealand Citizenship by Descent
New Zealand
Norwegian Citizenship by Descent
Norway
Dual Citizenship (RA 9225)
Philippines
Polish Citizenship by Descent
Poland
Brazil–Portugal Special Reciprocal Status (Estatuto de Igualdade)
Portugal
Citizenship by Descent
Portugal
Sephardic Jewish Citizenship
Portugal
Citizenship by Descent
Romania
Serbian Citizenship by Descent
Serbia
Slovak Citizenship by Descent
Slovakia
Slovenian Citizenship by Descent
Slovenia
South African Citizenship by Descent
South Africa
Democratic Memory Law (Grandchildren of Exiles)
Spain
Spanish Citizenship by Descent (Democratic Memory Law)
Spain
Swedish Citizenship by Descent
Sweden
Turkish Citizenship by Descent
Turkey
British Citizenship by Descent
United Kingdom
Ukrainian Citizenship by Descent
Ukraine