Citizenship by Descent 2026: Which Countries and Who Qualifies

Citizenship by descent is a route based on a qualifying family connection rather than an investment. It is relevant to people exploring whether a parent, grandparent or other ancestor may establish eligibility under a country's nationality law. Our guide to European citizenship by descent is the starting point for researching the documents and eligibility rules that may apply. A family connection does not automatically confer a passport: rules differ between countries and proof of the lineage matters. This page keeps descent separate from citizenship by investment so readers do not confuse the two routes. The related articles discuss wider citizenship concepts and alternatives, but eligibility must be assessed against the law of the country concerned. Where a guide includes key facts, they appear below without adding figures that the source does not contain. Read the full guide, locate official civil records and check the relevant nationality authority before making plans based on a possible claim.