# What is citizenship by descent, and which countries offer it?

Citizenship by descent means a country recognizes you as a citizen because a parent or grandparent was one. As of October 2026, Ireland and Italy are two well-known examples, but Italy narrowed its rules in 2025.

Citizenship by descent is based on bloodline, not birthplace. You prove the family link with birth and marriage records. The country then registers or recognizes you as a citizen.

Ireland lets people with an Irish-born grandparent register on its Foreign Births Register. You become a citizen once entered on the register. Ireland's foreign ministry lists a fee of 278 euros for adults and about 12 months of processing, as of March 2026.

Italy changed its rules with Decree-Law 36 of March 2025, made law in May 2025. For applicants born abroad with another citizenship, a parent or grandparent must have held only Italian citizenship. Another route requires a parent who lived in Italy for two years first.

Each country sets its own limits, such as how many generations back you can go. Rules can tighten with little warning, as Italy shows.

This is educational research, not legal advice. Confirm your case with the official consulate or a qualified immigration professional.

## Sources

- [Registering a Foreign Birth](https://www.ireland.ie/en/dfa/citizenship/born-abroad/registering-a-foreign-birth/), Department of Foreign Affairs, Ireland
- [Citizenship](https://www.esteri.it/en/servizi-consolari-e-visti/italiani-all-estero/cittadinanza/), Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Italy

Facts checked 2026-10-08. Next review by 2027-01-08. Written and reviewed by Todd Allyn, Sovereo Intelligence Research. Canonical page: https://www.sovereo.com/answers/what-is-citizenship-by-descent-and-which-countries-offer-it/
Educational research, not legal, tax, immigration or financial advice.