Citizenship by Descent (Jus Sanguinis) – Full Guide 2025

Discover countries offering jus sanguinis (citizenship by descent) in 2025. Learn how it works, who qualifies, and what legal benefits it provides.

What is Citizenship by Descent (Jus Sanguinis)?

Citizenship by descent, or jus sanguinis, is a legal framework where individuals can claim citizenship based on their lineage rather than birthplace. If one or more of your ancestors — such as a parent or grandparent — were citizens of another country, you may be eligible to apply for that nationality. In 2025, many countries have simplified or updated their requirements to allow applicants to prove heritage through birth certificates, marriage records, and other documentation.

Benefits of Citizenship by Descent

  • Obtain dual citizenship without renouncing your current one
  • Live, work, or study in your ancestral country (often EU access)
  • Transfer citizenship to your children or spouse
  • Right to vote, access public healthcare, and own property
  • Visa-free travel benefits depending on the new passport

Countries Offering Citizenship by Descent in 2025

Flag of AlgeriaAlgeriaFlag of EgyptEgyptFlag of MoroccoMoroccoFlag of KenyaKenyaFlag of NigeriaNigeriaFlag of TunisiaTunisiaFlag of South AfricaSouth AfricaFlag of CanadaCanadaFlag of Dominican RepublicDominican RepublicFlag of HaitiHaitiFlag of MexicoMexicoFlag of United StatesUnited StatesFlag of ArgentinaArgentinaFlag of BrazilBrazilFlag of ChileChileFlag of ColombiaColombiaFlag of SurinameSurinameFlag of VenezuelaVenezuelaFlag of ArmeniaArmeniaFlag of AzerbaijanAzerbaijanFlag of CambodiaCambodiaFlag of ChinaChinaFlag of IndiaIndiaFlag of IndonesiaIndonesiaFlag of IranIranFlag of IsraelIsraelFlag of JapanJapanFlag of MongoliaMongoliaFlag of NepalNepalFlag of PakistanPakistanFlag of PhilippinesPhilippinesFlag of South KoreaSouth KoreaFlag of ThailandThailandFlag of TaiwanTaiwanFlag of United Arab Emirates (UAE)United Arab Emirates (UAE)Flag of AustriaAustriaFlag of BelgiumBelgiumFlag of Czech RepublicCzech RepublicFlag of DenmarkDenmarkFlag of EstoniaEstoniaFlag of FinlandFinlandFlag of FranceFranceFlag of GermanyGermanyFlag of HungaryHungaryFlag of IcelandIcelandFlag of IrelandIrelandFlag of ItalyItalyFlag of MaltaMaltaFlag of NetherlandsNetherlandsFlag of NorwayNorwayFlag of PolandPolandFlag of PortugalPortugalFlag of RomaniaRomaniaFlag of RussiaRussiaFlag of SlovakiaSlovakiaFlag of SpainSpainFlag of SwedenSwedenFlag of SwitzerlandSwitzerlandFlag of UkraineUkraineFlag of United KingdomUnited KingdomFlag of AfghanistanAfghanistanFlag of BulgariaBulgariaFlag of CroatiaCroatiaFlag of GreeceGreeceFlag of KiribatiKiribatiFlag of LiberiaLiberiaFlag of LithuaniaLithuaniaFlag of RwandaRwandaFlag of SerbiaSerbiaFlag of TurkeyTurkey

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Who qualifies for citizenship by descent?

You may qualify if your parent, grandparent, or even great-grandparent was a citizen of a qualifying country. Documentation is key.

Do I have to speak the native language?

Some countries like Italy now require basic language proficiency. Others like Ireland do not.

Is dual citizenship allowed?

Yes, most countries that offer citizenship by descent allow dual nationality, but check local laws for exceptions.

How long does the process take?

Processing times vary: 6–24 months depending on the country and documentation completeness.

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