Can you get citizenship through great-grandparents?

Asked by: Conor Gottlieb DVM  |  Last update: December 26, 2025
Score: 4.2/5 (63 votes)

Depending on the country whose citizenship is applied for, you may claim an ancestral passport by documenting your ties to the parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, or even more distant relatives who were citizens of that country, regardless of which country you were born in.

What countries grant citizenship to great grandchildren?

Here's a list of countries that grant citizenship throught ancestry and their eligibility requirements:
  • Italy.
  • Ireland.
  • Poland.
  • Lithuania.
  • Latvia.
  • Armenia.
  • Romania.
  • Serbia.

How many generations back can you claim citizenship?

While many countries provide citizenship by descent, it's crucial to note that each country has its unique set of requirements and regulations to become a citizen. For instance, certain countries permit tracing back up to three generations, while others only allow one generation.

What is the easiest citizenship by ancestry?

Italy: Italy is known as one of the easiest countries to receive citizenship through descent. Individuals may be eligible for it so long as they can prove ancestral ties to Italy. The number of generations is not limited6.

Can you get EU citizenship through Great great-grandparents?

To obtain EU citizenship by descent, you must have an ancestor—usually, a parent— born in the EU. But, depending on which country you apply for citizenship, you may meet the eligibility criteria even if you have grandparents or great-grandparents who were EU citizens.

How to get Italian citizenship through your great grandparents

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Can I get UK citizenship through great-grandparents?

You could also be eligible if one of your parents or grandparents was a British citizen when you were born, the latter being called British citizenship by double descent. A British great grandparent can also lead to eligibility for British citizenship, this is known as British citizenship by triple descent.

What is the hardest citizenship to get in Europe?

Austria is one of the EU's hardest countries to get citizenship. The reason is that it has one of the EU's longest timelines for citizenship. You'll need to have residency in the country for a minimum of 10 years before applying for naturalisation.

What is the weakest citizenship?

According to the Henley & Partners Passport Index for 2025, the following countries have the weakest passports, ranked from lowest to slightly less low:
  • Afghanistan. - Access to just 28 countries without a visa.
  • Syria. ...
  • Iraq. ...
  • Pakistan. ...
  • Yemen. ...
  • Somalia. ...
  • Palestinian Territory. ...
  • Nepal.

Can I get citizenship through great-grandparents?

Depending on the country whose citizenship is applied for, you may claim an ancestral passport by documenting your ties to the parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, or even more distant relatives who were citizens of that country, regardless of which country you were born in.

What is the fastest citizenship in Europe?

Portugal, Cyprus, Greece, Spain, and Italy rank as the top five countries where obtaining citizenship is relatively easy. These nations offer a variety of pathways to citizenship, including naturalisation, citizenship by marriage, descent, among others.

What is the fastest citizenship by descent?

Easiest Passport for Citizenship by Descent: Latvia

The process usually takes about four months if your documents and fees are in order. The second option is for those born outside of Latvia, who have not reached the age of 15, and who have one parent who was a Latvian citizen at the time of the applicant's birth.

Which citizenship Cannot be renounced?

Argentina is one of the few countries in the world where its citizens cannot renounce their citizenship. According to Art. 75- section 12 of the Argentine Constitution, Art. 16 of Decree 3213/84 and judicial interpretation of the Supreme Court, the Argentine nationality is irrevocable.

Do great-grandparents get citizenship in Sweden?

Sweden permits individuals to claim citizenship by descent if they are born to a Swedish parent, or in certain cases, a grandparent. However, Sweden does not automatically confer citizenship beyond the first generation unless specific circumstances apply, such as being stateless at birth.

Can I get German citizenship through great-grandparents?

German citizenship by descent hinges on the direct family line, determining eligibility based on ancestral ties. You may qualify for German citizenship if your parents, grandparents, or great-grandparents were born in Germany.

What is the easiest country to get dual citizenship in?

Different countries have different rules, but the easiest countries to get dual citizenship are states like Turkey, Vanuatu, Grenada, and Dominica. They offer citizenship by investment that can be obtained in 1—10 months.

Can I get Canadian citizenship through my great-grandparents?

Children and grandchildren of Canadian citizens

If you have a Canadian parent or grandparent, you may be a Canadian citizen.

Can I get U.S. citizenship if my great grandfather was born in the USA?

Yes, it is possible you may be a U.S. citizen. This is a very rare type of case. A lot of work will be needed to figure out if you qualify. Unlike other countries which have ancestry visas, the U.S. has no simple path to claiming citizenship through a grandparent.

How many generations to claim citizenship?

The number of generations you can go back to claim citizenship varies by country. Some, like Italy and Ireland, allow claims through grandparents or even great-grandparents. Others, such as Germany or Poland, may have stricter criteria, often limited to parents or immediate grandparents.

What is the easiest country to get citizenship by ancestry?

Dual citizenship: 7 countries that offer a passport based on...
  • Canada. Let's start with our neighbor to the north since this immigrant-friendly country is one of the easiest places to obtain dual citizenship by ancestry. ...
  • Mexico. ...
  • Italy. ...
  • Israel. ...
  • Ireland. ...
  • Germany. ...
  • Poland.

Which is the toughest citizenship to get?

1. Qatar. Qatar, nestled in the Persian Gulf and known for its immense wealth driven by the natural gas industry, is renowned for the stringent requirements for obtaining citizenship. To become a Qatari citizen as a foreigner, one must reside in the country continuously for a staggering 25 years.

Which passport is strongest?

The Henley Passport Index has just been updated again for 2025. Singapore has landed in the number one spot of the newly released 2025 edition of the Henley Passport Index, a ranking of the world's passports in order of the number of destinations their holders can access without obtaining a visa before arrival.

What is a person with no citizenship called?

The international legal definition of a stateless person is “a person who is not considered as a national by any State under the operation of its law”.

What is the golden citizenship in Europe?

Golden Visa programs offer residency and sometimes citizenship in exchange for investment. This investment can be in real estate, businesses, or government funds. Many European countries are reforming or phasing out their Golden Visa programs.

Which country gives the fastest citizenship?

Vanuatu is the fastest country to obtain citizenship, with its citizenship program. The process can be completed in as little as one month. However, it's worth noting that Argentina also has a relatively fast process, where citizenship could be granted in as short as two years.

Does Germany allow dual citizenship?

Dual citizenship in Germany is allowed under specific conditions. Children born in Germany to foreign parents or abroad to German parents may have dual citizenship by birth. From June 2024, naturalized German citizens can retain their original citizenship.