EU Citizenship by Descent: A 2026 Guide

Europe’s strong cultural heritage and numerous economic opportunities make it an attractive option for high-net-worth expatriates looking to relocate or acquire global mobility through an EU passport. 

EU citizenship by descent allows individuals to claim citizenship based on ancestry, without having to meet the usual naturalization or long-term residency requirements. While the process is one of the easiest paths to EU citizenship, obtaining the necessary documentation and meeting the various state-dependent criteria can quickly become complex and expensive.

In this guide, we’ll provide a step-by-step breakdown of the EU citizenship by descent process. We’ll also present the countries that offer it and the most accessible pathways.

Which EU countries Allow Citizenship by Descent?

Out of the 27 Member States of the EU, 17 allow foreign nationals to acquire citizenship by descent, with varying criteria for degrees of separation:

Country	Who Is Eligible
Bulgaria	Grandchildren or great-grandchildren
Croatia	No generational limit
Czechia	Grandchildren
Greece	Grandchildren or great-grandchildren
Hungary	No generational limit; typically up to great-grandchildren
Ireland	Grandchildren
Italy	Grandchildren or great-grandchildren
Latvia	No generational limit
Lithuania	No generational limit
Luxembourg	Grandchildren or great-grandchildren; no generational limit under specific circumstances
Malta	Grandchildren
Poland	Great-grandchildren
Portugal	Grandchildren
Romania	Grandchildren or great-grandchildren
Slovakia	Grandchildren or great-grandchildren
Slovenia	Grandchildren
Spain	Children only

Keep in mind that the requirements and application process will vary significantly by country of choice. Depending on how distant the ancestor you’re applying through is, you might also have to meet additional criteria, such as providing additional documentation and confirming when the ancestor lived in the country.

For example, when applying for Lithuanian citizenship, you must provide documents confirming that your ancestors were citizens of Lithuania before June 15, 1940, including birth certificates or passports. It’s recommended that you work with an advisory firm that can help you gather and verify documentation before you start the citizenship process.

Easiest Countries To Obtain EU Citizenship By Descent

Getting EU citizenship through ancestry can be straightforward, but the level of difficulty primarily depends on your country of choice, with notable differences in generational eligibility and the ease of proving lineage through documentation.

Some of the easiest countries to obtain EU citizenship by descent include:

• Portugal: Grandchildren of Portuguese citizens can qualify by proving an uninterrupted lineage with civil records. Usually, you will be asked to demonstrate A2-level Portuguese proficiency but face no residency requirement before citizenship approval
• Slovakia: Descendants of Slovakian citizens born between 1918 and 1989 are eligible, as long as they can prove their lineage through birth certificates or passports. You’ll also have to submit a residency permit application as part of the process, but you won’t have to meet any residency or language criteria to acquire citizenship
• Lithuania: As an applicant, you need to demonstrate that your ancestor was a citizen of Lithuania before June 15, 1940, through either a birth certificate or other identity-confirming documents. You don’t have to meet any language or residency criteria when applying for citizenship
• Poland: If your grandparent or great-grandparent was a Polish citizen after 1920, you’re eligible to apply as long as you can prove citizenship wasn’t lost in the family line. There aren’t any language or residency requirements

How To Apply for EU Citizenship by Descent

While the specifics depend on your country of choice, the application process largely follows the same four steps:

1. Gather the required documentation
2. Legalize and translate the documents
3. Submit your application
4. Wait for approval

1. Gather the Required Documentation

Once you’ve confirmed you’re eligible for EU citizenship by ancestry, the first step is to gather all of the required documentation. As a general rule, you should gather the documents you have easy access to in advance, especially since this step can take several weeks or months.

Regardless of the country you’re applying to, you’ll need:

• Valid passport or government-issued ID
• Your birth certificate
• Parent and grandparent birth certificates establishing direct lineage
• Ancestors’ proof of citizenship, such as passports, naturalization records, or civil registry documents
• Proof of current address or residence

If you’re applying through a maternal grandparent, you’ll also need to provide both your parents’ and grandparents’ marriage certificates to show any name changes and establish continuity of identity.

You’ll also need to notarize the documents to verify their authenticity. This can either be done by a notary in your country of residence or a consular officer at the embassy of the country whose citizenship you’re applying for.

2. Legalize and Translate the Documents

After you’ve gathered the required documents, you may also need to have them legalized and officially translated before submitting your application. 

Legalization usually means you’ll need to obtain an apostille, which validates that your documents are usable in another country. These are usually provided by a designated authority in your country of origin, such as the Secretary of State for the U.S. or the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office in the UK. You’ll also need to pay a fee for each document requiring legalization.

If the documents aren’t written in the official language of the country you’re applying to, you’ll also have to provide certified translations. These must be completed by an authorized translator, who will also provide you with a certificate affirming the accuracy of the translation.

3. Submit the Application

Once you’ve legalized and translated your documentation, you can submit it to the relevant authority. Depending on the country, you can either apply through a consulate or embassy in your country of residence, or directly through a government office or civil registry.

You’ll need to submit an application form along with all of your completed documentation and supporting paperwork. In some cases, you might also have to pay an application fee, which can vary significantly.

Some countries may also require you to attend an in-person appointment to confirm your identity and the authenticity of your documents. In some scenarios, this can include an interview to assess your connection to the country and language proficiency.

4. Wait for Approval

After submitting your application, you’ll have to wait for a decision by the relevant authority. Processing times can vary significantly, from several months to over a year, especially if additional verification is required.

During this period, the authorities will review the documentation and conduct background checks to verify you have a clean criminal record and meet other relevant criteria. If you’re tracing ancestry to your grandparents or further back, the commission may also require additional documentation to confirm their citizenship status.

Once your application has been approved, you’ll typically receive a letter notifying you of the decision. In some scenarios, you’ll be required to take the oath of allegiance for that country, which can be done as part of a ceremony at an embassy in your country of residence. From there, you can apply for a passport or a national ID card.

Other Ways To Acquire EU Citizenship

Although getting EU citizenship through ancestry is the most accessible option, it’s not the only one. If you don’t meet the criteria, you can also become an EU citizen through:

1. Naturalization
2. Marriage
3. Exceptional merit

Naturalization

Aside from ancestry, naturalization is one of the most common ways for foreign nationals to obtain EU citizenship. In most cases, you must legally reside in the country you’re applying to for several years before qualifying. Residency requirements vary significantly across member states—for example:

• Germany, Sweden, France, and Luxembourg require a minimum of five years of residency
• Italy, Austria, and Slovenia require a minimum of ten years

During this period, you’ll be required to demonstrate integration with your target country. This typically means showing a good understanding of local customs and laws, as well as achieving a proficiency in the country’s language.

Marriage

Marriage is another potential route for non-EU nationals seeking EU citizenship. However, keep in mind that marrying an EU citizen doesn’t automatically qualify you for a passport. Once you’re married, the rest of the process includes several steps:

1. Acquire a residence permit: You can apply for a residence permit on the basis of family reunification. This will allow you to reside (and in some cases, work) in your goal country
2. Reside in the country: In most cases, you’ll have to reside one to five years in the country before you’re eligible to apply for citizenship
3. Take an exam and apply: When the mandatory residence period is over, you can take an integration and language proficiency exam to show you’ve adapted to the country. After that, you can apply for citizenship

Keep in mind that you must be married throughout the entire qualification period. If you get divorced before you obtain citizenship, the entire process may be canceled or suspended. 

Exceptional Merit

Certain EU countries, such as Malta and Austria, offer citizenship to individuals with significant contributions to science, arts, business, or public service. This option doesn’t follow the standard application procedure; instead, it is granted at the discretion of the government after a nomination from a recognized institution or official.

This pathway isn’t investment-based, but applicants may be expected to make contributions through either philanthropic donations, job creation, or other tangible benefits for the host country. 

The timeline for citizenship by merit can vary significantly on a case-by-case basis, and it’s typically reserved for exceptional circumstances.

Does the EU Offer Citizenship by Investment?

The EU doesn’t offer foreign nationals a direct way to citizenship through investment. However, several countries operate Golden Visa programs, which grant long-term or permanent residency permits to investors who make a qualifying investment. 

Minimum investment thresholds vary by country and investment type, with some of the lowest-entry options including:

Country	Minimum Investment
Portugal	EUR 250,000
Cyprus	EUR 300,000
Greece	EUR 250,000
Hungary	EUR 250,000
Italy	EUR 250,000

After maintaining residency in the country for a specified number of years (typically 5–10), you can qualify for citizenship through naturalization, as long as you meet other requirements such as language proficiency and integration criteria.

It’s also important to note that not all EU countries allow for dual citizenship. For example, if you want to become a citizen of Austria, you will have to renounce your current citizenship as part of the process. 

To avoid potential issues and understand your long-term options more clearly, you should plan carefully and enlist the help of experienced professionals like the team at Nomad Capitalist.

Secure an EU Citizenship Effortlessly With Nomad Capitalist

Nomad Capitalist is an advisory firm that specializes in helping high-net-worth individuals relocate globally, optimize their tax obligations, and acquire a second citizenship. We’ve helped more than 1,500 clients meet their lifestyle and financial goals while handling all of the administrative work.

We do this through our Action Plan, a personalized strategy that outlines specific steps toward achieving your short- and long-term objectives.

To get started with your personalized Action Plan, you’ll first need to complete a quick online questionnaire to determine if we’re a good fit. Once you do, we’ll:

1. Schedule and conduct a one-on-one onboarding call to get an overview of your needs and goals
2. Use the information to design and present to you a personalized Action Plan
3. Execute the Plan over 12 months while handling all of the administrative work
4. Provide ongoing support regarding any questions and changes to your Plan

By partnering with Nomad Capitalist, you ensure a seamless path to your EU citizenship by descent. Let us handle all the administrative work while you plan and prepare for the more enjoyable aspects of your relocation—get your Action Plan today!