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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
