Citizenship by Descent
Your ancestors may have already unlocked your path to a second passport. Claim nationality based on your family lineage, without investment requirements or lengthy residency obligations.
Check Your EligibilityNo Investment Required
Unlike golden visas, ancestry citizenship has no minimum investment threshold
No Residency Obligations
Most programs don't require you to live in the country
EU Freedom of Movement
European ancestries unlock the right to live and work across 27 countries
Pass to Future Generations
Your children inherit citizenship rights automatically
Countries We Serve
We help clients trace their ancestry and navigate documentation requirements for citizenship by descent in these countries.
Austria
Claim citizenship if your ancestor was Austrian and lost citizenship due to persecution between 1933-1945, or through other qualifying lineage.
Learn More →Bulgaria
Citizenship by origin for those with Bulgarian ancestry. One of the most accessible EU citizenship pathways.
Learn More →Croatia
Citizenship by origin with no generational limit. Croatia joined the Schengen Area in 2023.
Learn More →Cyprus
Citizenship by descent through Cypriot parents or grandparents. Strategic Mediterranean location with favorable tax regime.
Learn More →Czech Republic
Citizenship restoration for former citizens and descendants, especially those affected by post-WWII policies or communist era.
Learn More →Estonia
Citizenship restoration for descendants of Estonian citizens before Soviet occupation (June 16, 1940).
Learn More →Finland
Citizenship by declaration for those with Finnish parents. One of the world's happiest and most stable countries.
Learn More →Germany
Restore citizenship if your ancestor was persecuted during the Nazi era, or claim through direct lineage from a German citizen.
Learn More →Greece
Reclaim Greek citizenship through your family lineage. Access to one of Europe's most historic nations.
Learn More →Hungary
One of the most accessible programs. If you have Hungarian ancestry, you may qualify regardless of how many generations back.
Learn More →Ireland
Claim Irish citizenship through a parent or grandparent born in Ireland, with registration through the Foreign Births Register.
Learn More →Italy
2025 law change: Now requires Italian-born parent or grandparent. Pre-March 2025 applications grandfathered.
Learn More →Latvia
Citizenship registration for descendants of Latvian citizens before Soviet occupation (June 17, 1940).
Learn More →Lithuania
Citizenship restoration for descendants of Lithuanian citizens before Soviet occupation. Popular for Lithuanian Jewish ancestry.
Learn More →Luxembourg
Citizenship recovery for descendants of Luxembourg ancestors. One of the world's wealthiest nations.
Learn More →Malta
Citizenship by descent or registration through a qualifying Maltese line. Confirmed by Komunita Malta. Full EU rights. No investment required.
Learn More →Poland
Confirm citizenship through ancestors who held Polish citizenship, with no generational limit.
Learn More →Portugal
Citizenship through Portuguese parent or grandparent. A2 language required for grandparent route.
Learn More →Romania
Citizenship restoration for descendants up to 3 generations who lost citizenship involuntarily.
Learn More →Slovakia
Citizenship for descendants of Slovak citizens and those of Slovak ethnic origin abroad.
Learn More →Slovenia
Citizenship for Slovenian emigrants and descendants up to 4th generation. Generous provisions for diaspora.
Learn More →Spain
Citizenship through Spanish parent (automatic) or grandparent (requires 1 year residence in Spain).
Learn More →Who Qualifies for Citizenship by Descent?
Eligibility depends on your specific ancestry and each country's laws. Here are the most common qualifying scenarios:
Direct Parental Line
If your parent was born a citizen of a country (or was a citizen when you were born), you almost certainly qualify. Ireland, Germany, Italy, Poland, and most EU countries recognize this.
Grandparent Connection
Many countries extend citizenship rights to grandchildren. Ireland's Foreign Births Register, Hungary's simplified naturalization, and Poland's citizenship confirmation all work through grandparents.
Great-Grandparents & Beyond
Some countries have no generational limit. Hungary, Poland, Romania, Croatia, and the Baltic states allow claims through ancestors from the 1800s or earlier.
Historical Persecution Pathways
Germany (Article 116), Austria (§58c), and several other countries offer special pathways for descendants of those who fled persecution. These often have no generational limit.
The Key Question: Naturalization
The most common disqualifier is naturalization. If your ancestor became a citizen of another country (like the US) before the next generation was born, the citizenship chain may be broken. However, this varies by country and time period. We analyze your specific timeline to determine if your claim remains valid.
Common Misconceptions
Don't let these myths stop you from pursuing citizenship you may already have.
"My grandparents came to America, so the citizenship is lost."
Not necessarily. Many countries recognize citizenship through grandparents regardless of where they moved. Hungary, Poland, Ireland, and others specifically allow grandchild claims. Even great-grandchildren and beyond may qualify.
"My ancestor naturalized, so I can't qualify."
It depends on when they naturalized and which country. Some countries didn't strip citizenship upon naturalization during certain periods. Others have restored citizenship rights to descendants. We examine the specific dates and laws.
"I need to speak the language."
Most citizenship by descent programs have no language requirement. You're not naturalizing as a foreigner; you're confirming citizenship you already have by birth. Hungary requires a basic exam, but most others do not.
"It takes years and costs a fortune."
Costs are typically documentation and legal fees, not investment capital. Timeline varies by country, but many cases complete in under a year. This is a fraction of investment-based citizenship programs.
"I don't have any documents from the old country."
Most people don't. That's what genealogical research is for. Records exist in government archives, church registers, and historical databases. Our researchers access these sources directly.
Our Process
We guide you through every step, from initial research to passport in hand.
Each country has unique requirements, but the general process follows these steps.
Eligibility Assessment
We review your family history to identify qualifying ancestors
Genealogical Research
Professional research to establish your lineage with documentation
Document Collection
Birth, marriage, death, and naturalization records gathered
Apostille & Translation
All documents legalized and translated for submission
Application Submission
Filed with the appropriate consulate or government office
Approval & Passport
Receive citizenship confirmation and apply for your passport
Timeline Expectations
Processing times vary significantly by country and complexity of your case.
| Milestone | Timeframe |
|---|---|
| Initial consultation and eligibility assessment | 1-2 weeks |
| Genealogical research | 1-6 months |
| Document collection and preparation | 2-6 months |
| Application submission | 1-2 weeks |
| Government processing | 6-24 months (varies by country) |
Italian applications through consulates can take 2-4 years. Hungarian simplified naturalization may complete in under a year.
Genealogical Research Services
Finding the records you need can be the most challenging part of citizenship by descent. Our professional genealogical research service locates vital records across the globe.
Civil Records
Birth, marriage, and death certificates from government archives
Church Records
Baptisms, marriages, and burials from parish registers
Immigration Records
Ship manifests, border crossings, passport applications
Naturalization Records
Critical for proving your ancestor did or did not naturalize
Prefer to Talk?
Check your eligibility and we'll review your family history together to identify your best path to a second passport.
Check Your Eligibility