Citizenship by Descent
Reclaim your heritage. A complete guide to countries offering citizenship through ancestry and family lineage.
What Is Citizenship by Descent?
Citizenship by descent, or jus sanguinis (right of blood), is a legal principle where citizenship is not determined by place of birth but by having one or both parents who are citizens of the state. In many cases, this right extends to grandparents or great-grandparents (e.g., Italy, Ireland), allowing individuals to "reclaim" their ancestral nationality.
Benefits of Ancestral Citizenship
- Dual citizenship (keep your current passport)
- Right to live and work in the EU (for EU countries)
- Pass citizenship to your children
- Access to subsidized healthcare and education
- Visa-free travel to more countries
- Connection to your family heritage
Countries Offering Citizenship by Descent
Algeria
Algeria offers citizenship by descent to individuals with Algerian heritage, allowing descendants of Algerian nationals to claim citizenship.
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Egypt
Egypt offers citizenship by descent to individuals with Egyptian ancestry, even if born outside of Egypt.
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Morocco
Morocco allows descendants of Moroccan nationals to apply for citizenship, even if born abroad.
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Kenya
Kenya offers citizenship by descent to those with Kenyan parentage or ancestry.
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Nigeria
Nigeria provides citizenship by descent to individuals with Nigerian parents, regardless of where they are born.
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Tunisia
Tunisia grants citizenship by descent to children of Tunisian nationals, even if born abroad.
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South Africa
South Africa offers citizenship by descent to children born abroad to South African nationals.
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Canada
Canada offers citizenship by descent to individuals born outside Canada to Canadian parents.
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Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic provides citizenship by descent to children of Dominican nationals.
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Haiti
Haiti offers citizenship by descent to children born abroad to Haitian parents.
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Mexico
Mexico allows individuals with Mexican descent, regardless of birthplace, to apply for citizenship.
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United States
The U.S. provides citizenship by descent to individuals born abroad to U.S. citizens.
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Argentina
Argentina offers citizenship by descent to individuals with Argentine parents or grandparents.
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Brazil
Brazil grants citizenship by descent to children of Brazilian nationals, regardless of birth location.
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Chile
Chile offers citizenship by descent to children of Chilean nationals born abroad.
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Colombia
Colombia provides citizenship by descent to children of Colombian nationals, regardless of place of birth.
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Suriname
Suriname offers citizenship by descent to individuals with Surinamese heritage.
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Venezuela
Venezuela grants citizenship by descent to children of Venezuelan nationals.
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Armenia
Armenia provides citizenship by descent to individuals of Armenian descent, no matter where they were born.
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Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan offers citizenship by descent to children of Azerbaijani nationals.
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Cambodia
Cambodia grants citizenship by descent to children born abroad to Cambodian parents.
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China
China offers citizenship by descent to individuals with Chinese parentage, no matter their birthplace.
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India
India offers citizenship by descent to individuals with Indian parentage or ancestry.
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Indonesia
Indonesia grants citizenship by descent to children of Indonesian nationals, regardless of birth location.
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Iran
Iran offers citizenship by descent to children born abroad to Iranian parents.
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Israel
Israel provides citizenship by descent to individuals with Jewish heritage, regardless of where they were born.
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Japan
Japan offers citizenship by descent to children born abroad to Japanese parents.
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Mongolia
Mongolia grants citizenship by descent to children of Mongolian nationals, regardless of where they are born.
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Nepal
Nepal provides citizenship by descent to children of Nepali nationals.
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Pakistan
Pakistan offers citizenship by descent to children born abroad to Pakistani nationals.
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Philippines
The Philippines grants citizenship by descent to individuals with Filipino parents, regardless of their birthplace.
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South Korea
South Korea offers citizenship by descent to children of South Korean nationals.
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Thailand
Thailand allows citizenship by descent for children born abroad to Thai nationals.
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Taiwan
Taiwan offers citizenship by descent to children born abroad to Taiwanese parents.
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United Arab Emirates (UAE)
The UAE provides citizenship by descent to individuals born abroad to UAE nationals.
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Austria
Austria offers citizenship by descent to individuals with Austrian parents or grandparents, even if born abroad.
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Belgium
Belgium grants citizenship by descent to individuals with Belgian ancestry, regardless of place of birth.
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Czech Republic
The Czech Republic offers citizenship by descent to children of Czech nationals, no matter where they were born.
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Denmark
Denmark provides citizenship by descent to children of Danish nationals, even if born abroad.
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Estonia
Estonia allows citizenship by descent for individuals born outside the country to Estonian nationals.
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Finland
Finland grants citizenship by descent to children born abroad to Finnish nationals.
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France
France offers citizenship by descent to individuals with French parents, regardless of their place of birth.
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Germany
Germany provides citizenship by descent to individuals with German parents, even if born outside of Germany.
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Hungary
Hungary grants citizenship by descent to children of Hungarian nationals, regardless of where they were born.
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Iceland
Iceland offers citizenship by descent to individuals born abroad to Icelandic parents.
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Ireland
Ireland provides citizenship by descent to individuals with Irish parents or grandparents, even if born abroad.
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Italy
Italy offers citizenship by descent to individuals with Italian ancestry, even if born outside Italy.
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Malta
Malta grants citizenship by descent to individuals born abroad to Maltese nationals.
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Netherlands
The Netherlands provides citizenship by descent to children born abroad to Dutch nationals.
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Norway
Norway grants citizenship by descent to individuals born abroad to Norwegian nationals.
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Poland
Poland offers citizenship by descent to children of Polish nationals, regardless of their birthplace.
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Portugal
Portugal provides citizenship by descent to individuals with Portuguese ancestry, even if born abroad.
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Romania
Romania grants citizenship by descent to individuals with Romanian parentage, even if born outside Romania.
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Russia
Russia offers citizenship by descent to individuals with Russian ancestry, regardless of birthplace.
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Slovakia
Slovakia grants citizenship by descent to children of Slovak nationals, even if born abroad.
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Spain
Spain provides citizenship by descent to individuals with Spanish ancestry, no matter where they were born.
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Sweden
Sweden offers citizenship by descent to individuals born abroad to Swedish nationals.
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Switzerland
Switzerland grants citizenship by descent to children of Swiss nationals, regardless of place of birth.
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Ukraine
Ukraine offers citizenship by descent to children born abroad to Ukrainian nationals.
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United Kingdom
The United Kingdom offers citizenship by descent to individuals born abroad to British nationals.
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Afghanistan
Afghanistan offers citizenship by descent to children of Afghan nationals, regardless of place of birth.
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Bulgaria
Bulgaria provides citizenship by descent to individuals with Bulgarian parentage, regardless of birthplace.
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Croatia
Croatia offers citizenship by descent to children of Croatian nationals, even if born abroad.
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Greece
Greece provides citizenship by descent to children born abroad to Greek nationals.
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Kiribati
Kiribati offers citizenship by descent to children born abroad to Kiribati nationals.
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Liberia
Liberia grants citizenship by descent to children born abroad to Liberian nationals.
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Lithuania
Lithuania offers citizenship by descent to individuals with Lithuanian ancestry, even if born abroad.
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Rwanda
Rwanda provides citizenship by descent to children born abroad to Rwandan nationals.
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Serbia
Serbia offers citizenship by descent to children born abroad to Serbian nationals.
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Turkey
Turkey offers citizenship by descent to children born abroad to Turkish nationals.
Check Eligibility →Frequently Asked Questions
How far back can I claim ancestry?
It depends on the country. Ireland allows up to grandparents. Italy has no generation limit as long as the line of citizenship was not broken. Germany allows victims of Nazi persecution to reclaim citizenship.
Do I need my ancestor's birth certificate?
Yes, you typically need certified copies of birth, marriage, and death certificates linking you to your ancestor.