Citizenship by descent: a second passport through your ancestry (2026)
The cheapest second passport isn't bought — it's inherited. How to claim citizenship through a parent, grandparent or earlier ancestor.
Citizenship by descent (jus sanguinis) lets you claim a nationality you're entitled to through ancestry — a parent, grandparent, or further back — usually without investment, residency or (in most countries) a language test. Ireland, Italy and Poland have the most generous routes; each country sets its own generational reach and proof rules, which change.
What citizenship by descent is
Citizenship by descent — jus sanguinis, 'right of blood' — is a nationality you inherit through ancestry rather than earn through residency or buy through investment. If a parent, grandparent or (in some countries) an earlier ancestor was a citizen, you may already be entitled to a passport. For many people it's the cheapest and strongest second passport available.
How far back can you go?
A citizen parent almost always qualifies you. A grandparent works in many countries — Ireland, Greece, Portugal, Spain (via the Memory Law) and others. Only a few, notably Italy and Poland, reach further back along an unbroken chain — and Italy tightened that reach in 2025. The further back you go, the more the paperwork and the exceptions decide the outcome.
Ancestry routes by country
| Country | Reaches | Language? | Notable 2026 note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ireland | Grandparent | None | Foreign Births Register; very generous |
| Italy | Parent/grandparent+ | None | 2025 decree tightened generational reach |
| Poland | No fixed limit | None | Confirmation; watch loss-of-citizenship events |
| Germany | Parent (+restoration) | None | 1933–45 restoration; dual allowed since 2024 |
| Hungary | Ancestor | Basic Hungarian | Simplified naturalisation; language interview |
| Greece | Parent/grandparent | None | Male military-service note |
| Croatia | Parent (+origin) | Generally none | 'Genuine link' test for diaspora |
| Portugal | Parent/grandparent | Some (grandparent) | Sephardic route largely closed |
| Lithuania | Pre-1940 line | None | Restoration for those who left |
| Spain | Parent (+Memory Law) | None | Grandchildren's Law window — may close |
Country guides: Ireland · Italy · Poland · Germany · Hungary · Greece · Croatia · Portugal · Lithuania · Spain.
Proving it: the documents
Every descent claim is a documentary one. You build an unbroken chain of civil records — births, marriages, deaths, and often the ancestor's naturalisation record — from the qualifying ancestor down to you. Foreign documents usually need an apostille and a certified translation. Start pulling archives early; missing records are the single biggest cause of delay.
What breaks a claim
The usual chain-breakers: an ancestor who naturalised elsewhere before the next descendant was born (Italy, Poland); historic gender or date cut-offs (Italy's pre-1948 maternal lines); loss-of-citizenship events like certain military service; and deadline windows that close (Spain's Memory Law). Have your specific line assessed before you invest months in it — and remember rules change.
Descent vs investment vs naturalisation
If you don't have qualifying ancestry, the alternatives are citizenship by investment (fast, but a six- or seven-figure cost) or ordinary naturalisation after years of tax residency. Descent is cheapest when you qualify; investment is fastest when you don't.
Where it fits in a borderless plan
A second passport is one flag of several — pair it with a low-tax residency and a self-custody plan for your Bitcoin. See who this suits in our guide for investors.
Frequently asked questions
Which country has the easiest citizenship by descent?
Ireland is among the most generous: a grandparent born in Ireland qualifies you with no residency or language test. Italy and Poland can reach further back through an unbroken chain, though Italy tightened its rules in 2025.
Do I need to speak the language for citizenship by descent?
Usually not — most descent routes (Ireland, Italy, Poland, Germany, Lithuania) have no language test. Hungary is the notable exception, requiring basic Hungarian; Portugal's grandparent route also expects some Portuguese.
Is citizenship by descent cheaper than citizenship by investment?
Far cheaper — descent typically costs only document, translation and legal fees rather than the six- or seven-figure contribution of an investment programme. The catch is you must already have the qualifying ancestry.
Can I pass citizenship by descent to my children?
Often yes, but timing matters — some countries (like Ireland) require you to register before your child is born for them to inherit it. Register as early as possible.
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