Have you ever wondered if you could get a second passport simply because your parents or grandparents were born somewhere else? Many countries around the world offer citizenship by descent, also known as jus sanguinis or “right of blood.” This means you could qualify for inherited citizenship without ever having lived in that country. Other countries, like the United States and Canada, grant birthright citizenship (jus soli) to most people born on their soil. Understanding the difference between citizenship by blood and citizenship by birth could open up exciting opportunities for travel, work, or even a new home.
Citizenship by descent: How different countries’ rules work, and which options are the easiest to claim.
The US and Canada – birthright and beyond
If you’re born in the United States, you usually qualify for birthright citizenship. However, a Supreme Court ruling in June 2025 may restrict this right for children born to parents without legal status. For children born abroad, US citizenship by descent is possible if at least one parent meets certain residency requirements.
Canada also grants citizenship to most babies born in the country. For those born overseas, Canadian citizenship by descent applies if one parent is Canadian, although the law limits this to one generation born outside Canada. If you’re an adult wanting to become Canadian, you’ll need to complete the application for Canadian citizenship.
Europe – the heart of citizenship by descent
Europe is home to some of the most generous citizenship by descent policies. If you have European roots, you could be just a few documents away from a second passport.
- Italy: Through jure sanguinis, many people have successfully applied for Italian citizenship by descent. But in March 2025, Italy restricted eligibility to those with a parent or grandparent born in Italy, excluding many great‑grandchildren.
- Ireland: If you have an Irish parent or grandparent, claiming Irish citizenship by descent is straightforward. Once you register on the Foreign Births Register, you can get your Irish passport – often called an Irish ancestry passport.
- Germany: German citizenship by descent is available to children of German parents and, in some cases, to descendants of people who fled Nazi persecution.
- Poland, Lithuania, Latvia: These countries are known for their generous rules, allowing citizenship by descent across several generations.
- Spain: Spain’s Grandchildren’s Law (Ley de Nietos) allows people with Spanish-born parents or grandparents to apply for Spanish citizenship by descent – but applications close in October 2025.
- Greece, France, Portugal and more: Countries like Greece, France and Portugal also grant citizenship by descent if your parent or grandparent was a citizen.
Other countries with citizenship by descent
Outside of Europe, many countries allow you to claim citizenship through ancestry. Brazil, Argentina, Israel, India, Egypt, the Philippines, and South Africa all offer citizenship by descent if at least one parent was a citizen at the time of your birth.
For example:
- Brazilian citizenship by descent is available if your birth is registered at a Brazilian consulate.
- Indian citizenship by descent applies to children of Indian citizens born abroad (though India does not allow dual citizenship).
- South African citizenship by descent is possible if your birth was registered and at least one parent is South African.
What if you can’t inherit citizenship?
Not everyone qualifies for citizenship by descent. In that case, you can look at naturalisation, where you meet a country’s naturalisation requirements and submit a naturalisation application.
For the US, this means filing a USCIS naturalization application. Canada has its own application for Canadian citizenship. There is also citizenship by investment programmes in some nations – often the easiest countries to get citizenship by investment.
Read more: Beyond the usual – alternative destinations for moving abroad from South Africa.
Which countries are easiest to move to from South Africa?
When it comes to the easiest European country to get citizenship, Ireland and Poland are hard to beat. Ireland doesn’t require residency if you have a parent or grandparent born there. Poland allows citizenship by blood without strict generational limits, provided your ancestor never renounced citizenship.
Before you start applying for citizenship, gather the right documents – birth, marriage and naturalisation certificates – and check the rules for Irish citizenship by descent, Italian dual citizenship by descent, German ancestry visa, and other ancestry-based applications.
With so many countries offering citizenship by descent, your family tree could be the key to a second passport. Whether through birthright citizenship, jus soli citizenship, or jus sanguinis countries, the process is often more straightforward than you think. If you’re curious about your options, now is the perfect time to explore your ancestry – you might already be eligible for another nationality without even realising it.
Read more: Plan B: Exploring Alternate Destinations for South Africans Looking to Move Abroad.
FinGlobal: cross-border financial specialists for South Africans around the world
If you’re considering leaving South Africa and want to take advantage of citizenship by descent, FinGlobal is here to make the financial side simple. We specialise in helping South Africans with tax emigration, transferring funds overseas, and accessing retirement savings. Our team of financial planners, lawyers, accountants and tax specialists will create a personalised plan to ensure everything is done efficiently, cost‑effectively, and fully compliant with South African tax and exchange control regulations.
Complete the form below, and we’ll get in touch to answer all your questions about managing your finances when claiming citizenship by descent and starting your new life abroad.