Am I Eligible for Ancestral Citizenship? | AncestryPass

Am I eligible for citizenship by descent?

Eligibility for ancestral citizenship depends on each unique family story. While each country has its own rules, several common factors determine eligibility

Number of Generations

Each country sets its own rules about how far back you can claim citizenship. Italy, for example, has no generation limit - you can claim through ancestors from the 1800's, though you'll need more documentation for each generation. The trade-off is that you must prove an unbroken chain of citizenship through your family line.
Other countries have stricter limits. Ireland, for instance, only allows claims through grandparents, but offers a simpler process with fewer documents and a straightforward registration system. Some countries also have special rules for specific time periods or historical events.
Generation limits are often waived in cases of historical injustice. Germany, for example, has no generation limit for descendants of those who fled Nazi persecution, and several Eastern European countries offer similar provisions for families who lost citizenship during communist rule.

Historical Circumstances

Many countries have established special citizenship programs based on historical events and injustices.

Political Persecution

Some countries offer citizenship to descendants of those who fled persecution. For example, Germany has programs for descendants of Nazi regime victims, and several European countries have provisions for those who lost citizenship due to political persecution.

Religious & Cultural Heritage

Some countries have programs for descendants of historically displaced religious groups. For instance, Portugal and Spain offer paths based on cultural heritage and language connections, helping descendants maintain ties to their ancestral homeland.

Territory Changes

Several European nations maintain citizenship routes connected to former territories. The UK, France, and Netherlands, for example, have provisions for regions that changed sovereignty through history.

Citizenship Transmission Rules

The way citizenship passes through generations varies by country and time period. For instance:
Italy treats maternal and paternal lineage differently before 1948
Some countries, like Poland, consider if ancestors lost citizenship through historical events
Hungary examines whether ancestors maintained cultural ties
Greece has different rules for transmission through Orthodox versus civil marriages

Documentation Requirements

Each country sets specific standards for proving ancestral connections:
Birth, marriage, and death certificates
Immigration and naturalization records
Residency proof during specific periods
Non-naturalization evidence in some cases
Additional documentation for special claims (such as persecution or cultural ties)

Dual Citizenship Considerations

The country of current citizenship generally does not affect eligibility for ancestral citizenship. However, some countries (common in parts of Asia and Africa) do not allow multiple citizenships, which may require choosing between current and ancestral citizenship.
See our Impact of Dual Citizenship page to compare country citizenship policies and understand their implications.