Jus sanguinis means “right of blood,” and it refers to someone’s ability to claim citizenship to a country by birthright. The alternative is jus solis, or “right of soil,” which promises citizenship based on where you were born.
More Americans are pursuing citizenship by ancestry in other countries by tracing their lineage and presenting proof of descent. Notably, if you gain citizenship in the European Union, you don’t have to stay in the country of your heritage. For example, many Americans gain Italian dual citizenship and use to it move to a European country they prefer.
No matter what country’s citizenship you pursue, the process takes time, and you may need help from an immigration attorney. Facebook groups are a great resource to learn from others who’ve been there.
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Some Countries Have Limited Jus Sanguinis
Some countries, like South Africa, India, Turkey, and the United Kingdom, offer citizenship by ancestry, but at least one of your parents must have citizenship there, while many other countries offer citizenship to more than just the children of citizens.
Austria
You must have an Austrian parent or be a descendent of Nazi persecution.
Bulgaria
You can have Bulgarian parents, grandparents, or great grandparents.
Croatia
You can have Croatian parents, grandparents, or great grandparents, but there are some weird political rules about when and where they moved.
Czech Republic
You can have Czech parents, grandparents, or great grandparents. You can’t be from Slovakia.
Denmark
You must have Danish parents or both sets of grandparents.
Finland
You can have a Finnish parent or grandparent.
Germany
You must have a German parent or be a descendant of Nazi persecution.
Greece
You can have a Greek parent or grandparent. Heads up, if you’re male aged 19-45, you’ll have to serve in the military.
Hungary
You can have Hungarian parents, grandparents, or great grandparents and possibly go even further back.
Ireland
You can have an Irish parent or grandparent or possibly go further back by registering with the Foreign Birth Registration.
Israel
Any Jewish person is eligible, even by conversion.
Italy
You can have an Italian grandparent or a great grandfather.
Latvia
You must have Latvian parents or an ancestor who fled occupation.
Lithuania
You can have Lithuanian parents, grandparents, or great grandparents.
Malta
You can have Maltese parents or grandparents.
Poland
You can have Polish parents, grandparents, or great grandparents, but you need to prove your ancestor’s military service and lots of other complex details.
Portugal
You can have Portuguese parents or grandparents or Sephardic Jewish ancestors who fled the Iberian Peninsula during the Inquisition Period.
Romania
You can have Romanian parents or grandparents and in some cases great grandparents.
Slovakia
You must have a parent born in Slovakia before 1990, and we recommend you visit the Slovak Embassy’s website for detailed guidelines.
Spain
You can have Spanish parents or grandparents or Sephardic Jewish ancestors who fled the Iberian Peninsula during the Inquisition Period. If you have citizenship in a Latin American country or Andorra, Portugal, Equatorial Guinea, or the Philippines, or are from Puerto Rico, you can qualify for a fast-track citizenship in just two years.
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