Looking To Move Abroad? You Could Qualify For A Second Passport From One Of These European Countries

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If you have a grandparent from another country, you may qualify for an “ancestry passport” – even if you’re adopted!

About 50 countries offer citizenship by descent, but each has its own rules, paperwork, and fees. Some make it easier if your grandparent or even great-grandparent was born there. Although be forewarned – it is never effortless! You can apply yourself, but given the varying laws, languages, and processes, many wisely choose to hire a citizenship advisory firm for help.

Traveling in our increasingly interconnected world is becoming more common every day, and having a second passport can make those journeys easier. It can open doors to new opportunities, simplify visas, and even provide a sense of security when exploring abroad.

Here are the 4 European countries that allow for citizenship by descent:

Spain

Spain is a top option because its citizenship-through-grandparents program, offered under the Democratic Memory Law, has a deadline of October 2025. It lets descendants of Spanish-born parents or grandparents who were exiled for political or personal reasons claim Spanish nationality. Applicants need their grandparents’ Spanish birth certificate, proof of relationship, and their own documents. Unless exempt, two exams are required: Spanish language and culture. Once granted, a Spanish passport is easy to get, with a low fee of around $35.

Italy

Italian citizenship is based upon the principle of “jus sanguinis” (blood right). You can claim an Italian passport if a grandparent or great-grandparent was born in Italy, but first, you must apply for Italian citizenship. And the citizenship application fee recently rose from €300 to €600. Applicants must prove their ancestor didn’t gain another citizenship before the child reached adulthood (18 after 1975, 21 before). But there’s a catch for those born before January 1, 1948 – only male-lineage claims are automatic. Female-lineage claims require a civil court appeal. Once citizenship is granted, you can apply for an Italian passport in person at a consulate or embassy, with a fee of about $130.

Ireland

About one in six Americans has Irish ancestry, and if a grandparent emigrated from or still lives in Ireland, you can apply for an Irish passport. First, you must gain citizenship through the Foreign Birth Registry (FBR), providing long-form birth certificates for yourself, your parent, and grandparent, plus photo IDs, proof of residency, photos, and a qualified witness. The process takes around nine months. Once citizenship is granted, an Irish passport can be applied for online for about $80.

Poland

Poland also grants citizenship through “jus sanguinis” just like Italy, meaning it can be inherited from ancestors, including great-grandparents. To qualify, your ancestor must have been born or lived in Poland after January 1920, been a Polish citizen when your parent was born, and never renounced their citizenship. Applications require documents like birth and death certificates, photo IDs, and proof of continuous citizenship, all officially translated into Polish. The process takes about a year. Once citizenship is granted, a Polish passport can be obtained in person at an embassy or consulate for around $129.