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A free, independent field guide to moving countries. Every figure links to its official government source.

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  3. Citizenship by descent

Citizenship by descent — ancestry and heritage routes

Citizenship-by-descent routes grant citizenship (not merely residence) through documented ancestry. Irish, Italian, Portuguese, German, and Spanish descent routes are the most commonly pursued.

Typical characteristics

  • Documented lineage back to a qualifying ancestor.
  • No points test; no residence or income requirement.
  • Usually grants citizenship directly — not a residence intermediate.
  • Document-gathering across multiple jurisdictions is typically the longest phase.

🇮🇹Italian Republic(1 route)

  • Citizenship by Descent (Jure Sanguinis)

    Italian citizenship through an unbroken line of descent from an Italian ancestor — no generation limit, no residence requirement.

🇮🇱State of Israel(1 route)

  • Aliyah - Immigration under the Law of Return

    Immigration to Israel under the Law of Return, open to Jews, their children and grandchildren, and eligible spouses, leading to Israeli citizenship.

Frequently asked questions

How many citizenship by descent visa routes are there across these destinations?+−

We cover 2 citizenship by descent routes across 2 of our 109 destinations. Citizenship reclamation or acquisition through parental, grandparental, or further ancestry.

Which countries offer citizenship by descent visas?+−

Among our destinations, Italian Republic, State of Israel have citizenship by descent routes. Open any country group above for its specific routes and official sources.