How to get an EU passport and obtain EU citizenship
Obtaining an EU passport and EU citizenship has become an increasingly attractive prospect for many individuals worldwide particularly for Americans after this current election. The benefits of holding an EU passport are numerous, offering unrestricted access to work, study, and reside in any of the 27 member states of the European Union.
Additionally, having an EU passport grants the holder the right to vote in European Parliament elections, providing them with a say in shaping the future of the EU.
How to get EU citizenship as a Canadian? Personally I am Irish born and a Canadian immigrant when I was a child. I was born in Northern Ireland which gave me the privilege of being able to apply for both an Irish passport and a United Kingdom Passport along with my Canadian passport. My son was also able to gain his Irish and British passports as he was born in the UK and I have an Irish passport. My husband was also born in the UK of Irish parents that allowed him to have both passports along with his Canadian Passport. So take a look at your family history to see if you can obtain EU citizenship by descent.
- How to get an EU passport and obtain EU citizenship
- An EU passport provides numerous benefits
- How to obtain an EU passport
- EU passport eligibility
- What is EU Citizenship?
- Benefits of EU Citizenship
- How to get European citizenship by descent
- What EU countries offer Citizenship and a passport by descent
- EU Citizenship and EU passports
- EU Countries that offer Citizenship by Investment
- Eligibility of US Citizens for EU Citizenship
- Become a Digital Nomad
- Frequently Asked Questions
- How can I become an EU citizen?
- What is the easiest nationality to get in Europe?
- Can I get EU citizenship as an American?
- How can I get a European passport?
- What is a golden visa?
- Can I have dual citizenship as an EU citizen?
- How can I obtain citizenship through ancestry?
- How do I apply for an EU passport?
- Which countries in Europe offer citizenship by investment programs?
- What are the requirements to get citizenship in Europe?
- What are the ways to obtain a passport in Europe?
- Can I obtain German Citizenship if my family were stripped of citizenship during WWII?
- Can you live anywhere in Europe with an EU passport?
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An EU passport provides numerous benefits
European countries passport requirements? EU citizenship and resulting EU passport grants you the right to live, work, and study in any EU country. It also gives you access to various benefits and services, such as healthcare, social security, and education, across all EU member states. Additionally, EU citizens have the right to vote and stand as a candidate in European Parliament elections.
Our Irish passports gave us the ability to housesit all over Europe without having to worry about Schengen Zones and having to leave different countries after 90 days. UK Citizens lost these rights when they voted for Brexit.
Freedom of Movement: EU passport holders can live, work, and study in any of the 27 EU countries without needing additional visas or permits.
Travel Rights: An EU passport allows its holder to travel freely across the Schengen Area, which includes most EU countries, without border checks.
Consular Protection: If an EU citizen is in a non-EU country, they can seek assistance from any other EU country’s embassy or consulate.
Access to EU Benefits: EU citizens can access certain social, healthcare, and educational benefits within the EU.
How to obtain an EU passport
To obtain an EU passport, one must typically be a national of an EU member state, either by birth or through a naturalization process, such as obtaining citizenship by descent, marriage, or long-term residency.
I obtained my EU passport as a citizen of Northern Ireland. In Northern Ireland you can choose to have either British citizenship or Irish being born on the Island. I chose Irish to avoid the pitfalls of Brexit. My husband obtained his Irish Passport via descent as he was born in England but his parents were both born in Ireland. Many of us hold a second citizenship and in our case we have three citizenships – Irish, British and Canadian.
EU passport eligibility
While the process of obtaining an EU passport and citizenship may seem daunting, it can be navigated through various avenues. One of the most common ways is by descent, wherein individuals with parents or grandparents who are EU citizens can claim citizenship themselves.
Another route is through marriage or civil partnership to an EU citizen, which can lead to a fast-track process in gaining citizenship. Another popular option is by investing in an EU country, often through a citizenship by investment program. These programs vary from country to country, but typically involve making a significant financial contribution to the economy in exchange for citizenship.
What is EU Citizenship?
European citizenship is a concept introduced by the Maastricht Treaty in 1992, which grants citizens of EU Member States certain rights and freedoms. EU citizenship complements national citizenship and gives individuals the right to move, reside, and work freely within the EU territory.
Benefits of EU Citizenship
One of the primary advantages is the freedom to move and reside freely within any member state of the European Union. This means that EU citizens can study, work, or live in any country within the EU without needing to obtain a visa or work permit.
Additionally, EU citizens have the right to vote and stand as candidates in European Parliament and local elections. They also benefit from consular protection and support from any EU embassy or consulate worldwide.
EU citizenship provides access to social security benefits, such as healthcare and education, in any member state. Overall, EU citizenship offers extensive rights and opportunities for individuals, making it highly desirable.
How to get European citizenship by descent
There are several ways to obtain EU citizenship. One common route is through ancestry. If you have parents or grandparents who were born in an EU country, you may be eligible for citizenship by descent. Another option is through marriage. If you marry an EU citizen, you may be able to acquire citizenship through the process of naturalization.
Additionally, some EU countries offer citizenship by investment, where individuals can obtain citizenship by making a significant economic contribution to the country. Finally, some EU countries offer citizenship through a lengthy period of residency, ranging from 5 to 10 years, during which individuals must live and work in the country before becoming eligible for citizenship by naturalization.
Several European countries grant citizenship to individuals affected by World War II and the Nazis as a way of acknowledging the historical injustices endured by these people. This initiative aims to provide a sense of belonging and restore the rights that were violated during that dark period. Germany, for instance, offers citizenship to descendants of victims of Nazi persecution, including Holocaust survivors, who lost their citizenship due to the policies of the Nazi regime.
Similar initiatives exist in Hungary, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia, where individuals and their descendants who were forcibly displaced during the war can reclaim their identity and regain the rights and privileges they were once denied. In granting EU citizenship to those affected by WWII and the Nazis, these countries not only acknowledge the atrocities committed but also work towards rectifying the injustices inflicted upon innocent people who suffered greatly during this dark chapter in history.
What EU countries offer Citizenship and a passport by descent
Several European countries offer citizenship by descent, allowing individuals with ancestral ties to apply for citizenship. Requirements vary, but most programs enable descendants of nationals to reclaim or obtain citizenship, often without needing residency. Here are some European countries that provide citizenship by descent and their key features:
Ireland
Eligibility: Irish citizenship by descent is available if you have at least one grandparent born in Ireland, even if your parent was born outside Ireland.
Application Process: You may need to register in the Foreign Births Register if your parent was born outside Ireland.
Italy
Eligibility: Italy’s “jus sanguinis” (right of blood) allows citizenship to be passed from Italian ancestors to descendants, potentially indefinitely, as long as the lineage is unbroken. Italian citizenship is generally passed through the male line, but recent rulings allow it through female ancestors in specific cases.
Application Process: Proof of ancestry with documentation such as birth, marriage, and death certificates is required to obtain your Italian passport.
Poland
Poland Eligibility: Descendants of Polish citizens can claim citizenship if their ancestor was a Polish citizen and did not renounce Polish citizenship. Poland’s program is complex, with restrictions for people whose ancestors left Poland before 1951.
Application Process: Documentation to prove Polish ancestry and citizenship continuity is necessary.
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Germany
Eligibility: German citizenship by descent is available for descendants of German nationals who lost their citizenship due to Nazi persecution, as well as direct descendants if German citizenship was retained by the ancestor.
Application Process: Requires detailed documentation of ancestry and sometimes residency verification.
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Greece
Eligibility: Greek citizenship by descent is available for those with a Greek parent, grandparent, or even great-grandparent. Eligibility is especially strong if records of Greek citizenship and lineage are available.
Application Process: You must present family records from Greece, often obtainable from municipal archives.
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Spain
Eligibility: Spain’s citizenship by descent laws apply to children and grandchildren of Spanish nationals. There are also special provisions for descendants of Sephardic Jews expelled in the 15th century.
Application Process: Proof of Spanish ancestry and documentation such as birth and marriage certificates are required.
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Portugal
Eligibility: Portuguese citizenship by descent extends to those with a Portuguese parent or grandparent. Special provisions exist for descendants of Sephardic Jews expelled during the Inquisition.
Application Process: Required documentation includes birth and marriage certificates and proof of Sephardic ancestry (if applicable).
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Hungary
Eligibility: Hungarian citizenship by descent applies to those with at least one Hungarian ancestor, even beyond parents or grandparents. Basic language knowledge may be required for some applicants.
Application Process: Requires proving Hungarian ancestry, often with church records or civil certificates.
Lithuania
Eligibility: Descendants of Lithuanian nationals who emigrated before 1940, often due to WWII, can apply. The rules exclude those who left voluntarily under certain conditions.
Application Process: Documentation of Lithuanian descent is required, as well as proof of forced emigration.
Austria
Eligibility: Austria recently relaxed its laws to grant citizenship by descent to descendants of Holocaust survivors and those persecuted by the Nazi regime. Austria holocaust citizenship
The Austrian Supreme Administrative Court (“Verwaltungsgerichtshof”) decided in 2001 that victims of National Socialism were forced to leave Austria and therefore did not voluntarily acquire another citizenship and hence not lose Austrian citizenship and applying for Austrian citizenship by descent is possible. If you have Austrian ancestry take a look at obtaining Citizenship for Persecuted People and see if you are eligible.
Application Process: Holocaust-related documentation is needed to confirm eligibility.
France
French citizenship is granted to descendants of French nationals who retained their citizenship. If your parents were French, you might be eligible even if they were born abroad.
Application Process: Proof of French lineage and retained French citizenship is essential.
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Malta
Maltese citizenship by descent is available to individuals with Maltese ancestry, making it accessible to those with at least one Maltese parent, grandparent, or, in certain cases, great-grandparent. The law allows citizenship to be passed down through generations, even if the ancestor left Malta many years ago.
Application Process: Applicants need to prove their direct line of descent with official documentation, such as birth and marriage certificates, and may apply at a Maltese consulate abroad or in Malta.
Latvia
Latvian Citizenship by descent is available to invididuals who can prove that they have Latvian ancestry, typically through parents, grandparents, or even great-grandparents who were Latvian citizens or lived in Latvia before the country’s occupation by the Soviet Union or Nazi Germany.
This includes descendants of those who fled Latvia during times of political upheaval or war, as long as the family did not renounce their Latvian citizenship.
Application Process: Applicants must provide documentation such as birth, marriage, and immigration records to establish their eligibility.
Estonia
Estonian citizenship by descent is available to Estonian citizenship who can prove that they have Estonian ancestry, typically through parents, grandparents, or great-grandparents who were Estonian citizens. This includes descendants of Estonian nationals who were born in Estonia or were citizens before the country’s occupation by the Soviet Union or Nazi Germany.
Application Process: Applicants must provide official documentation, such as birth, marriage, and family records, to establish their lineage.
United Kingdom Citizenship
Obtaining United Kingdom citizenship typically involves a structured process depending on your specific circumstances, such as ancestry, residency, or marriage. The most common route is through naturalization, which generally requires holding Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme for at least a year.
Application Process: Applicants must have lived in the UK for five years (three years if married to a British citizen), demonstrate good character, pass the Life in the UK Test, and meet English language requirements.
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EU Citizenship and EU passports
Some countries, like Switzerland and the Netherlands, have citizenship by descent but with more stringent requirements, such as generational limits or residence requirements. Each country’s process and rules can be detailed, so working with a consulate or specialized service often helps clarify eligibility and streamline the application.
Obtaining EU Citizenship by Naturalization
Obtaining EU citizenship by naturalization entails fulfilling certain criteria set by each individual member state. Generally, applicants must have resided legally in the country for a specific number of years, typically ranging from five to ten years. During this period, they must have demonstrated good conduct, knowledge of the country’s language, and integrated into the local community.
Additionally, some applicants are expected to renounce their previous citizenship, prove their financial stability, and pass a thorough background check. Once granted, EU citizenship provides rights such as free movement within the EU, the ability to vote in EU elections, and access to various social and economic benefits.
Obtaining EU Citizenship by Descent
Obtaining EU citizenship by descent refers to the process of acquiring citizenship in a European Union country through lineage or ancestry. This means that if an individual’s parent or grandparent is a citizen of an EU member state, they may be eligible to claim citizenship themselves.
The criteria and requirements may vary between different EU countries, as each nation has its own laws and regulations regarding citizenship by descent. Generally, applicants must provide evidence of their familial connection, such as birth or marriage certificates, and may need to prove their knowledge of the country’s language or culture.
Acquiring EU citizenship through descent does not automatically grant all the rights and benefits of being a citizen, such as freedom of movement and access to social services. Potential applicants should thoroughly research the specific requirements for their desired EU country before starting the application process.
Can I get EU citizenship through marriage?
Obtaining EU citizenship through marriage is a common route for individuals who wish to gain legal residency and the right to work in an EU member country. However, the process can vary depending on the country in which the marriage takes place.
Generally, the non-EU spouse must live with their EU partner for a certain period of time before they can apply for citizenship. They may also need to provide proof of a genuine and ongoing relationship, such as joint bank accounts or utility bills. Additionally, some countries may require the individual to pass a language test or attend integration classes before granting citizenship.
It is important to note that obtaining EU citizenship through marriage does not automatically grant the same rights and privileges as those acquired through birth or descent. However, it can provide a gateway to living and working within the EU, as well as access to public services and benefits.
I would also note here that if your spouse has an EU passport you can freely travel with them and live in EU countries on the basis of their being a citizen of an EU country. For example a friend of mine obtained his Irish passport and his wife who was from the UK could easily travel with him and live in France on the basis of his citizenship.
How to Get an EU Passport
There are several ways to obtain an EU passport, depending on your circumstances. If you have a European ancestry, you may be eligible to apply for citizenship through descent. This typically requires gathering documents such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, and evidence of your relationship to the European ancestor.
Another option is to marry a citizen of an EU member state, which can fast-track your eligibility for citizenship. Additionally, some countries offer residency programs that lead to citizenship after a certain period of time.
Applying for an EU Passport
Applying for an EU passport can open up a range of opportunities. With an EU passport, you can live, work, and travel freely within the European Union. The process usually involves gathering the necessary documents, such as proof of citizenship and identity, and submitting an application form.
EU Countries that offer Citizenship by Investment
Several European Union (EU) countries offer citizenship by investment programs. These programs allow individuals to obtain citizenship and a second passport by making a significant investment in the country. Some EU countries that offer these programs include Austria, Cyprus, Malta, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Turkey and Portugal, among others. . The requirements and investment amounts vary from country to country, but the benefits include visa-free travel, access to the EU market, and the right to live and work in any EU country.
It also provides access to social benefits, healthcare, and education in EU member states. Additionally, having EU citizenship offers visa-free travel to many countries around the world. However, the specific requirements and investment options vary from country to country within the EU.
Malta also offers a citizenship program whereby investors can make a donation to the National Development and Social Fund and invest in real estate or government bonds. Portugal offers a Golden Visa program, which allows investors to acquire residency and eventually citizenship by investing in real estate or creating jobs.
Each country has its own investment requirements and conditions that need to be met in order to qualify for citizenship. For example, in Cyprus, investors can gain citizenship by either investing in real estate or making a significant contribution to the country’s economy.
Benefits of Citizenship by Investment
Citizenship by investment programs offer a multitude of benefits for individuals seeking a second passport. One of the key advantages is the ability to obtain citizenship or permanent residency in a relatively short period of time. Traditional means of acquiring citizenship, such as through ancestry or marriage, can be lengthy and complex processes.
Citizenship by investment, on the other hand, typically allows applicants to obtain citizenship within a matter of months. Another major benefit is the freedom of movement that comes with a second passport. Citizenship in certain countries can grant individuals visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to a large number of countries, expanding their travel and business opportunities.
Eligibility of US Citizens for EU Citizenship
US citizens can potentially become EU citizens through descent if they have a parent or grandparent who was a citizen of an EU member state. In some cases, individuals may also be eligible for citizenship through marriage if they are married to an EU citizen.
Become a Digital Nomad
Get a Digital Nomad Visa. Each country issuing digital nomad visas has its own policies and regulations in place, most of these visas are only valid for a period of one year. A Nomad visa is subject to various rules including a minimum level of income and a health insurance plan. These can be provided for countries including Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Malta, Portugal, Romania, and Spain, with more being arranged every day.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I become an EU citizen?
There are several ways to become an EU citizen. One way is through citizenship by descent, if you have ancestry from a European country. Another way is through citizenship by naturalization, which generally requires living in an EU country for a certain period of time and meeting specific criteria set by that country.
What is the easiest nationality to get in Europe?
Portugal is the easiest European country where you can get citizenship. The easiest way to become a Portuguese citizen is by obtaining a Portugal Golden visa; all you have to do is invest in a house, a business, or a property of €500,000 value.
Can I get EU citizenship as an American?
Yes, it is possible for Americans to obtain EU citizenship. The process typically involves meeting the requirements set by the individual EU country you wish to become a citizen of. These requirements may include living in the country for a certain period of time, having a stable source of income, and demonstrating knowledge of the country’s language and culture.
How can I get a European passport?
To get a European passport, you need to become a citizen of an EU country. This can be done through various means, such as citizenship by descent, citizenship by naturalization, or citizenship through marriage. Each country has its own specific requirements and process for obtaining citizenship and a passport.
What is a golden visa?
A golden visa is a residency by investment program offered by some EU countries, such as Portugal and Malta. It allows individuals to obtain residency and, in some cases, citizenship by making a significant investment in the country, such as purchasing real estate or investing in local businesses.
Can I have dual citizenship as an EU citizen?
Most EU countries allow dual citizenship, which means you can be a citizen of both your home country and an EU country. However, there are some exceptions and restrictions, so it is important to check the specific laws of the countries involved before acquiring dual citizenship.
How can I obtain citizenship through ancestry?
A: If you have ancestry from an EU country, you may be eligible for citizenship by descent. This typically involves providing documentary evidence to prove your ancestral connection and meeting other requirements set by the country, such as language proficiency or proof of financial stability.
How do I apply for an EU passport?
First trace your ancestry to see if your parents or grandparents were born in an EU country. At that point you will need to obtain their birth and marriage certificates and then you can begin the process of applying for citizenship via ancestry within that country. An EU passport is really a passport for the country you may be able to gain citizenship via ancestry.
Which countries in Europe offer citizenship by investment programs?
Several EU countries offer citizenship by investment programs, including Cyprus, Malta, and Portugal. These programs allow individuals to obtain citizenship by making a significant investment in the country, such as purchasing real estate or contributing to the local economy.
What are the requirements to get citizenship in Europe?
The requirements to obtain citizenship in Europe vary depending on the country you are applying to. Generally, these requirements may include residency, language proficiency, knowledge of the country’s history and culture, and a clean criminal record. It is advisable to consult the specific requirements of the country you are interested in for more accurate information.
What are the ways to obtain a passport in Europe?
There are various ways to obtain a passport in Europe, including obtaining citizenship through ancestry, marriage, or naturalization. In some cases, individuals may also be able to obtain a European passport through residency by investment programs offered by certain countries.
Can I obtain German Citizenship if my family were stripped of citizenship during WWII?
Yes, you may be eligible for German citizenship if your family was forced to leave Germany due to persecution by the Nazi regime. Germany has made it possible for descendants of individuals who were persecuted by the Nazis—primarily Jewish people, as well as others such as political dissidents and ethnic minorities—to reclaim citizenship under Article 116 of the German Basic Law (Grundgesetz).
Can you live anywhere in Europe with an EU passport?
According to the European Union as an “EU national, you have the right to live and move within the EU without being discriminated against on the grounds of nationality. You can also benefit from greater consumer protection than in your home country and, provided you meet certain requirements, can access healthcare anywhere in the EU.”
EU citizenship offers numerous benefits and opportunities for its citizens. It provides the right to freely travel, live, and work within any EU member state, fostering mobility and cultural exchange. EU citizenship also grants individuals the right to vote and stand as candidates in local and European Parliament elections, a crucial element in promoting active civic participation.
EU citizens benefit from consular protection from any EU member state when outside the EU, ensuring their safety and wellbeing. Furthermore, EU citizenship entitles individuals to social and economic rights, such as access to healthcare, education, and social welfare. These rights are crucial in ensuring equal opportunities and social inclusion for all EU citizens.
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This is an informative article!
Thank you Aleena
The Cyprus government offers a Citizenship programme which has recently been updated. please see below full details.
https://gk-lawfirm.com/practice-areas/cyprus-citizenship-by-investment-program/
This is fascinating and highly informative information. As the holder of a British EU passport (but not for long though – the less said about that the better :-)), it’s really interesting to look at this subject from a different perspective.
Any Irish relatives…lol…hopefully Brexit won’t cost too many people their access to live and work in the rest of the EU.
This was a very interesting and useful article. I had no idea you could get EU passport through descent.
It’s pretty cool right? I have heard from lots of folks in the US and Canada who are now actively searching for EU relatives lol
This is extremely useful information. Sadly, it’s my great-grandparents not grandparents or parents that are from Europe so I guess I don’t qualify.
Yes sadly only a few of the EU countries allow great grandparents and that will probably change soon enough.
That’s a most interesting read! You did some extended research there! It’s quite an issue to travel in and out Europe every three months resp. as George is South African, we went half a year to the United Kingdom and then back to Europe to extend is allowed stay. We have now a visa in France for a year, because I’m a legal partner of him (and I’m Swiss). That helps. George’s roots are historically in Greece and the Netherlands, but that is probably too long ago, somewhere in the early 20th century.
The good thing about being a Swiss national is the ability to live and work anywhere in the EU. He may be eligible for Greek citizenship as it is the one country that does extend pretty far back in time though.
Very informative piece! I actually looked into getting a Lithuanian passport by ancestry a couple of years back but it seemed like a complicated process. I should look into it again!
It could be worth it Megan, particularly if you want to travel, live or eventually retire to somewhere in the EU
This is a great guide! Im going to share it on my FB page as lots of people always ask how I became Irish! Easiest way to live in EU for sure
Yay – This is a great guide! Im going to share it on my FB page as lots of people always ask how I became Irish! Easiest way to live in EU for sure
Thanks for the guide 😉
LOL yep luckily I was born in Ireland, the North but it entitled me to Irish citizenship which is brilliant. I so want to retire to Ireland someday when I have finished travelling but a bit torn right now between Ireland and Spain.
This is absolutely fascinating, but probably would not help me. I know the birthplace of my paternal grandfather (Belarus), which is not a member. For my maternal grandfather (born in Austria), I have a town name but I have not been able to find it. I fear (from some research a fellow blogger did) that the birthplace of my maternal grandfather was liquidated by the Nazis and its citizens of my religion slaughtered. I would have no idea how to try to go about looking further into trying to get a record.
I would contact the embassy if I were you there are many immigrants forced out of Germany or their records destroyed by the Nazi’s and with Brexit many are trying to find a way to discover their ancestry. This is one article that appeared recently in the press https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/oct/30/uk-descendants-of-jewish-refugees-seek-german-citizenship-after-brexit-vote
Alana, if you can prove that you had a Jewish Grandfather in Germany/Austria (which was one country under the Nazis), applying for (at least a German) passport is just a formality. And as far as I know you would not have to give up your current nationality to obtain German citizenship. Having German citizenship, you’d be be free to to live and work in any of the 28/27 EU countries. See official info here: https://www.germany.info/us-en/service/03-Citizenship/restoration-of-german-citizenship/925120
Are you saying that if my grandfather was from Austria and was forced to flea in 1938 that I could be eligible for German citizenship? I can definitely prove this. How sure are you that it extends to people who where not from Germany? Im an American living in Prague, I want to stay in the EU permanently and this would make my life a lot easier.
Also see this: https://geteupassport.com/german_citizenship/
I’m excited to learn that I may be eligible for dual citizenship in Poland. I’ve always wanted EU citizenship. Definitely something to look into.
Do you have any info on Austria? Turns out my husband’s grandfather was from Austria! I am Spanish so it would be fantastic if he could get the passport.
Yes and thanks I guess I missed Austria so here are the rules
Children automatically become Austrian citizens at the time of their birth, when the mother is an Austrian citizen. The same applies in case the parents are married and only the father is an Austrian citizen.
If the parents are not married and only the father of the child is an Austrian citizen, however the mother is a national of another country, the child acquires Austrian citizenship, when within 8 weeks the Austrian father recognizes his parenthood or the fact that he is the father is determined by court. In all cases where recognition of fatherhood or the determination by court is done after his timeframe, children may be awarded Austrian citizenship in a simplified procedure.
Sadly if you choose to get the Dutch nationality you will, in most cases, have to give up your original nationality. The Netherlands will only allow dual nationality in certain cases such as when you are from a country that doesn’t allow you to give up its nationality. In other cases, you can be born in the Netherlands and having lived there almost all your life, you will have to give up your Dutch nationality if you take on another one. Dutch expats are very upset about this, because this way you might need a visa to visit your own home country. It’s just outrageous!
Rambling a bit, but I just meant to say that if your ancestors were Dutch, unlucky you, because even us real Dutchies don’t get to hold two different passports… But anyway, being Dutch is not a bad thing so life could have been worse 🙂
Interesting I know the Dutch have pretty stringent rules – but if you were born in another country for example Canada you cannot give up your citizenship as it is acquired by birth. There are other countries that you cannot give up your nationality (I have put those into the original post) and this does not mean you had to be born in that country. So yes while this is true to a certain extent for many who may want Dutch citizenship (as in those born in N. America) they don’t need to become a “non-citizen” of their country of birth but they can have dual nationality with their Dutch citizenship.
WOW! I had no idea that you could get an EU passport by descent. My grandpa was from Ireland so I’m about to look into this! My husband’s grandparents are from Malta, but it looks like he wouldn’t be able to get a passport since his mother was born in the US. This article is super useful! Thank you so much for sharing!
You are very welcome – when you apply for your Irish passport you can go online and order copies of the birth certs and wedding certs that you need quite easily. They will mail them to your home address and you can apply from where you are living.
Very useful and complete information for all those who are looking to live in Europe.
This post is super helpful! Learnt so much reading – I shall refer anyone to this post who asks about getting a EU passport! Thanks for sharing
This is a very useful blog post! I’m already an Italian citizen so I really don’t have to apply anywhere (other than the US where I currently live – three more years!). However, many of my friends here in the US are currently trying to gain one of these citizenships!
Wow! lots of information. We are Canadians, wish we could get a UK passport, as we would love to live in England in the future.
Canadian here as well lucky for us though born in Ireland. Do you not have any relatives born in Europe anywhere?
Very thorough post thanks! I tried to get a Greek passport as my grandfather was born there but as you say, it’s difficult to get documentation and there was actually no record of his birth or anything about him. I was so disappointed!
Wow this is so impressive and comprehensive. Thanks for breaking down such a complex process!
Really interesting article. I’m living in Ireland (temporarily on working holiday visa. A lot of people have asked if I’d want to stay longer, but getting Irish citizenship is quite hard. Unfortunately I’m fifth generation Canadian, so I can’t get any kind of EU citizenship from my parents/grandparent. I do like my Canadian passport, but it would be nice to have dual citizenship with an EU one as well.
This is really useful citizenship information! I’m lucky, because I already have my dual citizenship (my mom is German and dad’s from the US), but we actually get asked about this at work from time to time — so I’ll have to keep your website in mind as a resource for more information on the topic. Thanks!
Thanks for this. Currently looking into an EU passport at the moment. Looks like my wife may qualify. This will give us a chance to stay in Europe a lot longer.
This is such good information! I long to live in Europe, my family hails from England, Ireland, and France. I am also planning when and where I will be giving birth to my not-yet-planned children!
Wow, this is an impressive collection of information. I’ll be passing it on to my Czech boyfriend since I’ve been nagging him to get his dual citizenship!
what a great and informative post! I am European so I don’t really need to worry about it but my husband is American and I wish he’s grandparents were European ( well they had European parents but they were born in USA) as it would make some stuff easier for us 🙂 As for now he has family visa which is also a solution for getting European passport 🙂
My best friend finally got her dual citizenship all sorted out for her and her son (husband not so lucky). She’s Polish and her grandmother and both of her parents were born there so it was easy for her. I’d love to look into the process of getting dual citizenship in Portugal through property ownership. Maybe that can be your next post, lol!
LOL I am actually working on a post now about how to get residency as a property owner or as a retiree so keep an eye on this space.
This is such a great post! It really in depth and you did a lot of research. I hope some people figure out they can expand their nationality! I know so many people that could claim some of these. I already have triple citizenship, and I’m looking at starting a business in Estonia, which includes E-citizenship to Estonia and the EU. It doesn’t look like I have any more options based on this, so I think I’m good at three. haha Thanks again for doing all this research!
Good for you – I follow your blog and SM channels love your stuff. So what type of business are you planning on? Always fascinated by entrepreneurial stories.
I was born in the UK and hold a passport, but it was very interesting to read your post, I will recommend it to friends that we have made around the world who have expressed an interest in this. Thanks for sharing all of this information!
wow you did quite a research! I’m glad I already have my Italian passport and can travel everywhere in Europe!!
This is really fascinating. I’ve never really considered getting anything like this. I don’t think I would qualify anywhere for a passport. When I did a little research, it seems my family has been here for awhile. It was still pretty interesting to read about all the rules, and I find it interesting that they have all of the exceptions for times of war or political strife. Thanks for the information!
This is great information on how to apply for EU passport. As mainly very less information is available on internet, it becomes very difficult to know which country suits according to us. Many of my friends are looking for dual citizenship and so I will share this post among them.
I was hoping that either the Dutch or Scottish heritage would work for me, but alas, such is my lot it is far too difficult. Plus I think my Scottish heritage is too remote (1800’s) in order to claim that at this point. I really enjoyed reading this, and feel like it is a HUGE resource for those looking to move overseas.
Very useful and informative article for those who are striving to get these citizenship. Rules have to be followed and so good that you have elaborated on them too. Interesting that males of Greece have to enroll in Army there.
This is such a detailed and informative article, well done! I believe it contains more information than the official sources and websites. May I ask you more about housesitting? I am thinking to do the same, but I am not sure if the offers are worth the investment for the membership.
Thank you in advance!
Hi Sabrina – yes feel free to ask me anything you want to know about housesitting I would be happy to help.
This is such an enriching article. I would love to spend a few years in Europe for sure. But getting is passport is a tough job. UK has been very tough with its immigration rules, though I love UK. Thanks for sharing it.
I was born in the UK and am married to my Australian husband. He has great grandfathers from the UK.
Does this mean that I cannot go back to live with my husband in the UK ?
If we cannot, I don’t know if I can stay in Australia, as even after 11 years, I still don’t like it and miss my friends and family!
It is a huge decision that I have to make!
Any advice or information would be so appreciated!
Thank you so much for all your help … you are making a difference:)
Hi Norah – you can easily return to the UK all you have to do is ask the British Embassy in Australia what information they need to process a visa for your husband to live with you in the UK. This should be a pretty straightforward thing to do. Because you are from the UK and you have been married or living together for over 11 years it will be very easy to get him a visa to live in England.
It is a helpful blog, thanks for sharing it.
Such a helpful post, thank you.
I am not sure what is the best way to go about doing an enquiry without costing a fortune. My Grandmother was Welsh (born in Whales and later moved to Rhodesia), my adoptive father has a British passport, my Husband was born in Newcastle and I was born in Rhodesia in 1968 (I am still trying to get an unabridged birth certificate). We would really like to get British passports but I would love to have some solid advice from a reliable source before I take on this mammoth task. Do you have any suggestions?
Well your husband is entitled to British citizenship automatically through being born in the UK. As for yourself where was your mother and birth father born? Generally speaking if your mother or father was born in the UK you would be entitled to a British passport via descent. If they weren’t born in the UK it might be trickier. Because your husband is a UK citizen and can get a passport you could live in the UK as his spouse but not get a passport until you have lived there I believe for 5 years, then you would be entitled to apply for citizenship.I hope this helps, it shouldn’t be too expensive just the cost of all the birth certificates etc – you don’t say where you live now or where your birth parents were born so its hard to say.
Hi there , been searching for answers re my family History. I am South Africa born, my father also South African and Southern Rhodesian citizen , British National . Fathers mother born in New Zealand including her father who would be my Great grandfather. My father biological father born in South Africa his father who is my Great grandfather born in Scotland UK. On my mothers side my Great grandfather born in Whales UK. From my investigation I am eligible to apply for British citizen as my father was a Southern Rhodesian citizen and British National act registered . Any information re same would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
This can be a difficult process for the most part whereever your grandparents were born is not important as they don’t count for citizenship. It is your father whose birth might affect your citizenship. You don’t say whether or not you live in S. Africa or where you are currently living. But I would follow this link which should help you figure out if you can claim British citizenship https://www.gov.uk/contact-ukvi-inside-outside-uk I hope that helps a little.
You can only gain UK citizenship by descent if either your father or mother are born in the UK. If your grandparents were born here you can get a 5 year ancestral visa, and once you have lived in the UK for 5 years apply for your indefinite leave to remain and then 1 year after that you can apply for citizenship.
When it comes to southern Rhodesia, as far as I am aware i think that everyone had to renounce their citizenship to become a Zimbabwe citizen, so this could be hard especially given that Southern Rhodesia was a colony.
I gained UK citizenship very easily because my mother is Welsh, and have been living here for 5 and a half years now.
My ex husband’s family is Italian. I live in SA with my daughter and my ex husband in Australia. Can I apply for my daughter’s EU passport in South Africa if he lives in Australia or does he have to be present?
I would check with the Italian consulate in SA to be sure. If you have the correct documentation you should be fine to apply from there, many people apply for their EU passports from different countries.
My daughter and her partner would like to live and work in Europe for a time .. both were born in Australia, however her partner’s father is Irish born. My daughter’s grandmother was Lithuanian and fled to Australia as a refugee after the war, and I myself as her mother was born in Germany. There is no birth certificate available for her grandmother but I do have my German birth certificate from 1947. We came to Australia in 1949 and were granted citizenship several years later. Please advise.
Her Partner will be able to get an Irish passport easily all they will need is the birth certificate of her partner’s father and then contact the Irish consulate in Australia to get the correct application form. I believe because you are German by birth your daughter can gain German citizenship very easily. Again she would need to contact the consulate to obtain the correct paperwork for her German passport application. Because you are German all she will need is your birth certificate as one parent can bestow citizenship on their child. Once the passports are obtained they confer citizenship automatically and they will be able to move freely around the EU with those passports.
Both my parents and grandparents etc were all born in Lithuania. They came to Australia as refugees after the war. I have a certificate from Denmark for permission to travel to Australia as both my mother and grandmother fled to Denmark first.
I recently found my mothers Lithuanian passport as she travelled back there in the 90s, but many other documents are hard to find due to the fact much was destroyed during the war.
Would HER passport be adequate support, obviously I would need identifying documents for my relatioship to her etc.
I had looked into getting a Lithuanian passport by descent…but I am confused is an EU passport something different?
Please could you recommend what i should do. Also there are no Lithuanian embassies in Australia.
There are two consulates in Australia that I can find that should be able to help you with this one in Melbourne Lithuanian Honorary Consulate in
Melbourne,
39 The Boulevarde
Doncaster, VIC 3108
Australia
TELEPHONE(+61) 3 9840 0070
(+61) 411 769 717
FAX EMAIL [email protected]
and one in Sydney
Lithuanian Honorary Consulate in Sydney, Australia
11 David Street
Clifton Gardens, NSW 2088
Australia
TELEPHONE(+61) 2 9969 6232
FAX EMAIL [email protected]
Give them a call and find out more. A Lithuanian passport is essentially an EU passport it isn’t something different they are one and the same but I know that can confuse a lot of people.
Good day.
My step father (born 1955, South Africa ) legally adopted me as a child. His mother and/or grandfather was from Italy. Would I be able to apply for citizenship?
It is possible as adopted children can become Italian citizens as you can see from the quote. However, you will have to contact the nearest Italian consulate to find out what papers will be needed to be able to apply.
“The minor adopted by an Italian citizen becomes an Italian citizen automatically, but the adoption must be recognized by the Italian Court for Minors and then transcribed in the registers of the Italian Municipality.”
Hi, my grandparents are from Latvia, I am in Australia.. they fled from the war. Can I apply for duel citizenship?
Yes, you should be eligible for Citizenship, but you will have to contact the nearest Latvian consulate to find out what paperwork you will need to be able to apply.
MY GRANDFATHER WAS BORN IN NAPLES 1906 AND CAME TO THE US. i WAS BORN IN 1946. CAN I OBTAIN ITALISN CITIZENSHIP?WM
If your grandfather was born in Italy and was an Italian citizen when your parent was born, it’s possible to apply for Italian citizenship through grandparents. However, you can only qualify in this way if your parent has not since renounced their right to Italian citizenship.
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Nice Post.
Interested to Apply for Malta Citizenship by Investment. How to do? Please Help.
Currently the program in Malta runs out in October of 2020 and a new program is going to be available. I would keep checking here to see what the new program will entail https://www.maltaimmigration.com/
Love this website keep up the hard work!
What and who f do o I have to contact for dual citizenship I am a citizen of the US and have a passport of the United States I and my parents where German citizen till we moved in 1956 to the USA . I became a US citizen and my wife was born in the USA and has a passport I would like to know if and how we could get a second passport a German one so we could go back and forth also who would I have to contact and get all the info
A lot depends on whether or not your German citizenship by birth was renounced. I would contact the closest German Consulate to you and get an opinion from them. They may be able to assist you in obtaining your German passport.