How to Get an EU Passport and Citizenship by Descent

 “How to get an EU passport” is the question at the heart of this article. The short answer: you must first become a citizen of an EU member state. An EU passport is issued by the individual country (e.g., Ireland, Italy, Germany) and confirms your European citizenship with treaty based rights to live, work, and study across the EU.

I was born in Northern Ireland and later became a Canadian immigrant as a child. Being born on the island of Ireland entitled me to claim Irish citizenship; many people born in Northern Ireland are British citizens and may also be entitled to Irish citizenship.

My husband, born in England to Irish parents, obtained Irish citizenship by descent; our son qualified through us. Multiple nationalities Irish, British, Canadian have made it easier for us to live and travel in Europe.

Below, you’ll find how EU passports are designed and controlled, what rights they grant, the main pathways to citizenship (especially citizenship by descent), how to assemble evidence, and how residency by investment (golden visa programs) fit into the picture. We also cover EEA/Swiss passports, dual nationality rules, and country by country eligibility notes with authoritative links.

How to get an EU Passport as an American

The main ways for an American to get an EU passport are by descent (claiming citizenship through a parent or grandparent, with countries like Italy, Ireland, and Poland being popular options), by naturalization (living in a country for several years, typically 5 to 10, and meeting language and integration requirements), or through financial investment (such as a “Golden Visa” in Portugal or Greece, which grants residency that can eventually lead to citizenship after several years). Have a read of my article on the best countries for Americans to move to.

EU Member States Passports

Issuance and standards:  EU passports are issued by the 27 member states but must meet common EU security and biometric standards. Passports include a biometric chip with a facial image and two fingerprints (exemptions for children under 12 and those unable to provide prints

Denmark and Ireland are exempt from the fingerprint requirement). Photo: Standard ID‑3 size (88 × 125 mm). Covers state “European Union,” issuing country name, state emblem, “Passport,” and the biometric symbol.

EU vs Schengen: Most EU states are in the Schengen Area (no routine internal border checks), but not all (Ireland is not in Schengen). Some non‑EU countries (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland) are Schengen.

Schengen overview: The Entry/Exit System (EES) will biometrically record crossings by non‑EU nationals at external Schengen borders (rollout began late 2025; full deployment expected by April 2026).

ETIAS (a travel authorisation) is slated for visa‑exempt non‑EU visitors in late 2026. EU citizens are exempt from both.

Validity rules. The “3 months beyond departure” and “issued within the last 10 years” rules apply to non‑EU nationals. EU citizens need only a valid EU passport or national ID to enter the EU. Entry conditions.

The benefits of an EU passport

• Free movement and residence. Live, work, and study in any EU member state without additional visas or permits; family members may gain residence rights under EU rules. Overview:
• Political rights. Vote and stand in European Parliament and local elections in your EU country of residence.
• Consular protection. If your country has no embassy where you are, you can seek help from any other EU state’s embassy/consulate.
• Equal treatment and social security coordination. Subject to conditions, access to healthcare, education, social security coordination, and consumer protections across the EU:

Practical note: As EU citizens, we’ve housesat and stayed long‑term throughout Europe without worrying about the Schengen 90/180‑day limit that applies to non‑EU visitors. After Brexit, UK citizens lost EU free movement unless they also hold an EU nationality (e.g., Irish).

How to get an EU passport: main pathways to European citizenship

Citizenship by descent (jus sanguinis). If you have a parent, grandparent, or more distant ancestor from an EU country, you may qualify subject to that country’s nationality law (generational limits, required registrations, whether the ancestor retained citizenship, historic cut‑offs). This route is often the fastest way to a second passport if you qualify.

Naturalisation (residence). Typically requires 5–10 years of lawful residence, language and civic knowledge, good conduct, and sometimes renunciation (varies by country). Successful naturalisation yields European citizenship and an EU passport from that state.

Marriage/registered partnership. Marriage doesn’t give automatic citizenship. It may reduce the residence period before naturalisation and grants family residence rights under EU free movement rules.

Restitution/rehabilitation. Countries like Germany and Austria provide restoration routes for descendants of those who lost citizenship due to Nazi persecution (details below).

Investment programs (golden visa programs). Several European countries offer residence by investment permits that can lead to permanent residence and later naturalisation, but they do not grant immediate citizenship. The Portugal Golden Visa program and Malta’s permanent residence (MPRP) are examples; Spain and Greece also offer investment options.

Citizenship by descent explained: how to actually get it

• Step 1: Confirm eligibility in law. Read the nationality rules on the target country’s official site (Interior/Justice/Foreign Affairs). Look for: generational limits, required registrations (e.g., registering a foreign birth), and whether your ancestor lost citizenship.
• Step 2: Map your lineage. Write the chain from the EU ancestor to you (names, birthplaces/dates, marriages, naturalisations, name changes).
• Step 3: Gather civil records. Obtain long form birth, marriage, death certificates for each generation; naturalisation/renunciation records; court/name change documents; sometimes church records for older events.
• Step 4: Legalisation/translation. Foreign documents usually need apostilles/legalisations and certified translations into the country’s language.
• Step 5: Complete required registrations. Some countries require registering the birth of a child born abroad before citizenship passes to the next generation (e.g., Ireland’s Foreign Births Register for grandchildren).
• Step 6: File with the competent authority. If abroad, apply through the consulate/embassy; if in country, through the municipality/civil registry or Interior Ministry office. Book early.
• Step 7: Wait and follow up. Processing is months to years. Keep certified copies updated if they have validity windows.

Tip: Naturalisation of your ancestor in another country can break eligibility in some systems (e.g., Poland, Lithuania). Find the exact dates and legal effect on citizenship status.

Country guides: citizenship by descent

Ireland

Eligibility: If a parent was born in Ireland, you’re an Irish citizen. If only a grandparent was born in Ireland, you can usually obtain citizenship by registering your birth in the Foreign Births Register (FBR) before you pass it to your children. Process: Prove lineage with civil records; apply for FBR (if applicable), then apply for an Irish passport.

United Kingdom

The UK is no longer in the EU. A UK passport does not provide EU free movement. UK citizens with an additional EU nationality retain EU rights via that EU citizenship.

Italy

Eligibility: Jus sanguinis through an unbroken line of Italian citizenship; certain female‑line cases pre‑1948 may require a court petition. Process: Collect certified records for every generation (apostilled and translated). Apply at the competent consulate or in Italy at the comune. MFA overview.

How to obtain Italian records: Use the Portale Antenati, FamilySearch, and contact the Ufficio di Stato Civile of the comune for birth/marriage/death records (“copia integrale” or “estratto”). For pre‑civil records, contact the parish/diocesan archives. Request template and tips appear later in this section.

Poland

Eligibility: You may confirm Polish citizenship if the ancestor was a Polish citizen and did not lose it under historic laws (pay close attention to pre/post‑1951 rules). Process: Apply to confirm possession of Polish citizenship; provide records proving uninterrupted citizenship or legally recognised retention.

Germany

Eligibility: By descent when citizenship was retained; special restoration under Basic Law Article 116(2) for those deprived of citizenship on political, racial, or religious grounds between 30 Jan 1933 and 8 May 1945 and all their descendants (no generation cap). Related §15 StAG routes cover additional persecution related cases. No residence or language test; dual citizenship is allowed for these restorations.

(§15 StAG refers to Section 15 of the German Nationality Act (Staatsangehörigkeitsgesetz). It creates an “acquisition by declaration” route for people (and their descendants) who were historically excluded from acquiring or retaining German citizenship because of discriminatory provisions in earlier law, separate from the Nazi‑persecution restoration under Article 116(2) of the Basic Law.)

How to prove persecution (documents you may need): • Proof the ancestor was a German citizen and that citizenship was removed between 1933–1945 for persecution reasons (e.g., denaturalisation decrees, passports marked “J,” denaturalisation lists, emigration and exit records, residence/police files). •

Evidence of persecution grounds (e.g., synagogue or community records, civil records indicating religion, documentation of discriminatory measures, proof of flight/expulsion). • Full lineage from the persecuted ancestor to you (long form vital records, Familienbuch where available, name change documents).

Foreign naturalisation records establishing timelines (e.g., U.S./UK/Canada naturalisation dates). Submission: File via your German embassy/consulate or directly with the Bundesverwaltungsamt (BVA). Missions: (Citizenship). Use the mission’s current forms (often “Paket 4” for Art. 116(2)).

Austria

Eligibility: Restoration for descendants of victims of National Socialism who lost Austrian citizenship. Dual citizenship is typically possible for these restorations. Process: Provide persecution and lineage evidence; file via Austrian mission.

How to move to Austria

Greece

Eligibility: Citizenship through a Greek parent; in some cases, via a grandparent if registrations exist in municipal rolls. Process: Obtain records from Greek municipal archives and register civil events as needed.

Spain

Eligibility: Children of Spanish citizens and, in defined cases, grandchildren under time limited historical laws. The Sephardic descendants’ window has closed; other historical routes may exist under changing statutes. Process: Work through the Spanish civil registry via consulate or in Spain; verify the current law and application window.

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Portugal

Eligibility: Children of Portuguese citizens; grandchildren may qualify under defined conditions. The Sephardic route remains but has tightened significantly (proof of ties and stricter evidence). Process: Apply via the Conservatória dos Registos Centrais or a consulate; require Portuguese translations.

Hungary

Eligibility: Restoration possible if you or your ancestor were Hungarian citizens; basic language knowledge may be required. Process: Provide civil/church records; apply at a consulate or in Hungary.

Lithuania

Eligibility: Restoration for descendants of Lithuanian citizens who left before 1940 (often due to occupation/WWII). Some voluntary emigration cases are excluded. Process: Evidence of citizenship and emigration circumstances; check the Lithuanian Migration Department.

Latvia

Eligibility: Restoration for descendants of pre‑war Latvian citizens, including those who fled occupation, subject to conditions. Process: Submit lineage and historical documentation; see the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (OCMA).

Estonia

Eligibility: Restoration for descendants of pre‑occupation Estonian citizens; adult dual citizenship can be restricted confirm current rules. Process: Apply via the Estonian Police and Border Guard Board with proof of descent and historic citizenship.

France

Eligibility: Generally through a French parent who retained citizenship; France has specific rules on transmission to children born abroad and registration timelines. Process: Prove lineage, obtain a certificate of French nationality if needed, then apply for a passport.

Malta

Eligibility: Descent can pass across generations where citizenship was retained and births were registered. Process: Prove direct line of descent with civil records; apply at Identity Malta or a consulate.

Always verify current law on official sites, as rules and documentation standards change.

Multiple and simultaneous passports

Allow dual citizenship. Many European countries allow dual citizenship, though policies vary and may depend on the route (e.g., restitution/descent vs standard naturalisation). Confirm both your home countries and the destination country’s rules before proceeding.

Which passport to use. If you have both have an EU passport and a non‑EU passport (a second passport), use your EU passport when entering or leaving the EU/Schengen to benefit from free movement and to avoid non‑EU entry requirements (like future ETIAS).

Other EEA passports and Swiss passports

• EEA and Swiss nationals (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland) enjoy mobility rights with the EU via treaties, but their passports are not EU passports. Norway, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein are in Schengen, enabling passport free travel within Schengen.

Residency by investment in European countries (golden visa programs)

Golden visa programs are investment programs that grant residence rights usually temporary at first with a path to long‑term status and potentially citizenship by naturalisation. They do not grant immediate European citizenship.

Typical benefits include residence in the issuing country, Schengen short stay travel (if applicable), and, after meeting stay requirements, eligibility for permanent residence/permanent residency and later naturalisation (subject to language/integration and good character rules). Many countries allow dual citizenship, but you must confirm what countries allow in your situation.

Key programs and investment options (check official portals for updates):

Portugal Golden Visa (“Portugal Golden”): Residence permits via approved investment options (e.g., regulated investment funds, job creation, research, or cultural support). Real estate investment routes have been curtailed or reshaped verify current investment options on the official portal.

Pros and Cons of living in Portugal

Greece: Residence by investment scheme; real estate investment is an option with thresholds that vary by area and have changed recently. Consult the Hellenic Ministry of Migration and Asylum.

Moving to Greece

Spain: Spain’s residence by investment framework has existed (including real estate investment), but policy changes are under consideration check the official migration portal before proceeding.

How to retire in Spain

Italy: Investor Visa for Italy grants residence via qualifying investments (innovative startups, strategic funds, government bonds/donations).

Moving to Italy

Malta: Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP) grants permanent residence via a mix of contributions, due diligence, and real estate investment (lease or purchase).

Important distinction from Malta citizenship by investment:

Malta citizenship via exceptional services by direct investment is a naturalisation framework administered by Community Malta Agency; it requires residence (12 or 36 months) and stringent due diligence and contributions. It is not an automatic purchase of citizenship.

Cyprus ended its citizenship by investment programme in 2020. EU institutions discourage direct “citizenship for sale.”

Practical steps for investment programs

Confirm current law, eligible investment options, and minimums on the official government site.

Plan your physical presence; many permits and later citizenship require minimum stays.

Budget for legal fees, compliance, and where applicable, real estate taxes and due diligence costs.

Applying for records in Italy (for jure sanguinis)

Identify the comune of birth/marriage; use Portale Antenati.

Family Search, immigration files, and naturalisation records to pinpoint the town.

Request civil status documents from the Ufficio di Stato Civile (birth: “copia integrale” or “estratto con paternità e maternità”; marriage/death similar). Civil records are often free; request multilingual extracts where accepted, but consulates frequently prefer “copia integrale.”

For pre‑civil records, contact the parish/diocesan archives for baptism/marriage entries. Consider small donations and provide date ranges and name variants.

Foreign records need apostilles and certified translations; Italian records from comuni usually do not need apostilles for use with Italian authorities.

Applying from abroad and costs

If you already hold the citizenship of an EU country, apply for or renew your passport at that country’s embassy/consulate where you live. Fees for adult passports typically range €60–€150; children’s fees are lower; expedited services cost more. Always check the issuing state’s official consular page for current fees and processing times.

FAQs

How to get an EU passport as an American or Canadian?

• Qualify for an EU country’s citizenship first by descent, naturalisation after residence, marriage facilitated naturalisation, or restitution (where applicable). There is no “EU level” citizenship application.

Which countries offer the easiest descent routes?

• It depends on your family. Ireland (parent or grandparent born on the island) and Italy (unbroken jus sanguinis line) are among the most common, but documentation standards are high everywhere. Always verify on official sites.

Do golden visa programs give me a second passport immediately?

• No. They are residence by investment permits. After maintaining residence and meeting legal criteria (often several years plus language/civics), you may qualify for permanent residence and later citizenship, if the country allows dual citizenship and you meet all conditions.

Can I have dual citizenship?

• Many European countries allow dual citizenship especially for restorations or descent but some restrict it in standard naturalisations. Confirm both countries’ rules before you begin.

Which countries offer real estate investment as an option?

• Greece and, subject to changing rules, Spain and Malta (via MPRP lease/purchase) include real estate investment options. Portugal has significantly limited real estate routes under its program; check the official “Portugal Golden” portal for current investment options.

Can I live anywhere in the European Union with an EU passport?

• Yes, within the EU under free movement rules (conditions apply for some benefits).

Can I get permanent residency in any European country?

It depends on your status and the country. If you are an EU citizen: you acquire the right of permanent residence in another EU country after 5 years of continuous legal residence there under free movement rules. Some benefits may still have conditions, but you cannot be required to hold a work permit.

Final checklist

• Confirm your eligibility (descent, residence, marriage linked, restitution) on the relevant government site.
• Map your lineage and gather full civil records; plan apostilles and certified translations early.
• Book consular appointments well in advance; follow the exact checklist of the competent consulate.
• If you’re a dual national, use your European passport to enter/exit the EU/Schengen to avoid non‑EU entry rules (ETIAS/EES) applying to your other passport.

In short, how to get an EU passport comes down to proving a lawful route to European citizenship most often through citizenship by descent or, alternatively, by residence and naturalisation (sometimes marriage facilitated), or specific restitution laws.

Golden visa programs can be useful investment programs for securing residence first, with some countries offering real estate investment among other investment options, but they lead to permanent residence and only then, potentially, to a second passport. Because rules on dual citizenship and eligibility vary across European countries, rely on official government guidance, assemble airtight records, and plan timelines realistically doing so turns a complex process into a manageable path to the mobility and rights an EU passport provides.

If you are considering slow travel or relocating within Europe with a pet, this guide explains how to travel across Europe with your dog including ferries, road trips, documents, and border requirements.

Disclaimer: This article is general information, not legal advice. Immigration/citizenship laws change always verify on official government sites and with competent authorities.

If you’re planning a full relocation, don’t forget to read our guide on moving a pet to Europe, which covers everything from paperwork to flights.

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