One of the pathways to EU citizenship is through descent, whereby an individual may obtain a passport by right of blood. Those with an ancestor from an EU country who fulfils all the legal requirements may become its national.
The conditions for immigration under this program differ between states. In some cases, citizenship by descent can be obtained through ancestors up to the third generation, while in others only parental ties are required. Furthermore, specific conditions for applicants and procedures for acquiring a passport also differ depending on the state's policy. To gain a full understanding of relevant regulations, it is advisable to check official sources.
There are both advantages and disadvantages to obtaining EU citizenship by descent. Prior to relocating to Europe, migrants should carefully evaluate these factors to determine whether this program is a suitable option for them.
Advantages:
- Simplified requirements for passport acquisition. Migrants linked by blood to an EU national are usually subject to more lenient eligibility criteria. Less residence time in the country is needed, lower language proficiency conditions, etc.
- Possibility to get an EU passport quickly. European nationality by descent can be obtained in 6 - 12 months, whereas average time for a standard naturalization in Europe is 8 years.
Disadvantages:
- No choice of immigration destination. Citizenship by descent can only be obtained in the country in which you have an ancestor. Through standard naturalization, choosing whose passport you want to get depends on your own preferences and possibilities.
- Renunciation of previous nationality. Legislation of some EU countries require a migrant to give up their passport to receive citizenship.
- Varying laws. Conditions for acquiring nationality in certain European states may be stricter than in others. Before submitting an application, it is therefore necessary to study them in detail.
Who can obtain citizenship by descent in the EU
Acquisition of citizenship by descent is a process that can be undertaken by any citizen who fulfils the legal requirements and can prove their relationship to an ancestor from a particular EU country. Certain documents are needed to prove bloodline link to a particular state's national. Birth and marriage certificates are acceptable for this purpose. If such documents are missing, archival work can be carried out and they can be restored.
Requirements for obtaining citizenship by descent are laid down in each EU country’s legislation. The following are the main conditions that are imposed by European Union states’ laws.
- Proof of origin. Documentary evidence of a link to an ancestor within a certain generation is required.
- Language knowledge. Migrants are usually obliged to demonstrate a sufficient level of proficiency. The intention is to ensure that applicants have reasonable language skills and can integrate into society.
- Sufficient duration of residence. Citizenship by descent may be available in some countries only to those who have resided on their territory for a certain period of time.
- Completing the application process. In addition to providing proof of ancestral connections, migrants must submit other documents required by law. These are usually a passport, birth and marriage certificates, photographs of a certain standard, etc. These must be prepared in relevant format and application fees have to be paid. Passing additional examinations, such as a national language test, may also be required.
Which European countries offer citizenship by descent
Every state in the European Union supports citizenship by descent program. However, conditions in some of them are easier to meet. Here are listed five EU countries where the requirements for immigration are more favorable than in other ones.
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Portugal. Nationality can be obtained if a second-generation relative is a Portuguese citizen. There are also no requirements for a sufficient period of residence.
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Ireland. Evidence of ancestry to a father, mother or grandparent holding nationality of that country is required. The process of obtaining a passport takes 12-18 months.
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Italy. No generational restrictions are specified in the conditions for getting citizenship. However, there must be an unbroken line of descent from the ancestor to the migrant. Consequently, if the parent has lost Italian citizenship before the birth of their children, the application will be rejected.
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Poland. A passport can be obtained by persons who can demonstrate kinship with an ancestor who was that country's national up to third generation.
Ending note
Citizenship by descent is a direct route to settlement in the EU for people with European ancestry. This option comes with its own set of advantages and disadvantages, and there are separate eligibility criteria defined in the legislation of each EU state. Individuals seeking citizenship by descent are advised to study their genealogy and the nationality laws of the country of their family origin.
