Immigration Law · European Union
Claim Citizenship by Descent Through Your Ancestry
If a parent, grandparent or more distant ancestor held citizenship, you may already be entitled to it — but proving that chain of descent requires genealogical evidence and precise knowledge of the nationality laws that were in force at the time. We match you, free of charge, with a vetted lawyer who handles citizenship by descent claims across Europe every day.
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Who this is for
Your nationality may have been passed down without you knowing it
Citizenship by descent is one of the least understood routes to a European passport, because it depends not on where you live but on who your ancestors were and what the law said at the time they left. Many countries grant citizenship automatically to children born to a citizen parent, and several extend the principle to grandchildren, great-grandchildren and, in limited historical circumstances, even further. The claim, however, rests on evidence: birth and marriage records, proof of the ancestor’s citizenship, and documentation of the unbroken line of descent — often across borders, name changes and wartime records. Eligibility also depends on the nationality law as it stood decades ago, not as it reads today. A specialist can reconstruct the chain, confirm whether a claim is viable, and handle the formal application.
Why claims stall
The claim is usually valid.
The paper trail is what defeats it.
Proving an unbroken line of descent means finding, certifying and translating records that may be decades old, foreign-language, or simply lost.
Incomplete genealogical records
Birth, marriage and death certificates from past generations may be missing, damaged or held in overseas archives. Establishing the legal chain of descent often requires archival research in the country of origin as well as in your own.
Historic law changes
The nationality rules that applied when your ancestor emigrated may differ sharply from today’s. A rule that granted citizenship then, or one that stripped it, can make or break the claim — and only a lawyer familiar with the historic law can tell you which.
Certification and translation
Every foreign-language record must usually be legalised or apostilled and officially translated to the target country’s standard. Getting the wrong certification is a common reason claims are delayed or returned.
What you get
A descent lawyer who rebuilds the chain from archive to application
We only match you with nationality lawyers who handle descent claims for your ancestor’s country of origin.
Eligibility assessment
Your lawyer reviews your family history against the nationality laws in force at the relevant time, and tells you honestly whether a claim by descent is viable before you invest in documents and research.
Genealogical guidance
You get clear direction on exactly which records to obtain, from which archive or registry, and how to establish each generation in the chain of descent — saving you months of trial and error.
Document legalisation
Certificates and translations are prepared to the exact legalisation, apostille and translation standard the target authority requires, so your file is accepted first time without delay.
Formal application handling
The claim is prepared and filed in the correct form, with the evidence assembled and ordered to match the authority’s criteria, and followed up through to decision.
Coverage
Citizenship by descent lawyers across Europe
Descent rules are a product of each country’s historical nationality law, so the right lawyer is one who works with your ancestor’s country of origin and understands the law as it stood at the relevant time. We match cases across the following countries and beyond:
Frequently asked
Citizenship by descent — common questions
How far back can I claim citizenship by descent?
This depends entirely on the country. Some grant citizenship to children of citizens only; others extend to grandchildren, great-grandchildren or, under specific historical schemes, further. The key factor is the nationality law in force at the time of the relevant birth, so a lawyer must assess your specific family line.
What documents do I need to prove descent?
Typically you need birth, marriage and death certificates for each generation in the chain, evidence of the ancestor’s citizenship or place of birth, and proof of your own identity. Records must usually be certified or apostilled and translated, and a lawyer will give you a precise list for your claim.
Does it matter if my ancestor naturalised in another country?
Often yes. In many jurisdictions an ancestor’s naturalisation abroad may have affected their original citizenship, depending on the law in force at the time. The date and circumstances of any naturalisation are therefore central to assessing whether the claim survives.
Can I claim through a female ancestor or a great-grandparent?
Historically some countries limited transmission through the maternal line or to fewer generations, and later reforms sometimes restored rights retrospectively. Whether such a claim is possible depends on the country and the specific dates involved, so this must be checked against the historic law.
How long does a citizenship by descent application take?
Processing times vary by country and by the completeness of your file, ranging from several months to over a year. Gathering and certifying the genealogical records is often the longest part, and a lawyer can help you move through it efficiently.
Do I need to speak the language or live in the country?
Citizenship by descent is generally not conditional on residence or language ability in the same way naturalisation is, but requirements vary by country. Some authorities may ask for basic documentation of identity only, while others impose further steps — a lawyer can confirm what applies.
Free case review
Turn your family history into a recognised nationality
Tell us where your ancestors came from and we’ll connect you with a nationality lawyer who handles descent claims for that country every day — free of charge, with no obligation to hire.