Most Americans don’t realize that the key to a second passport might already be sitting in their family tree. A handful of countries are actively welcoming back the descendants of emigrants, and the process is more accessible than most people think.
The United States is home to a nation of immigrants. That’s not a platitude, it’s a paper trail.
Tens of millions of Americans can trace their roots to Ireland, Italy, Poland, Portugal, and beyond, and many of those countries have laws on the books that allow descendants to claim citizenship through ancestry.
The result is that a significant chunk of the American population may be entitled to a second passport without ever setting foot in an embassy queue, or at least, with far less effort than starting from scratch.
The benefits are real. A second passport can mean visa-free access to dozens of additional countries, the right to live and work abroad without a visa, and an entirely new relationship with international travel.
For Americans who have long dreamed of spending extended time in Europe, some of these pathways are genuinely life-changing.
That said, none of this is simple. Eligibility is only the starting point. The paperwork involved is often substantial, sometimes in another language, and processing times can stretch into years.
Immigration attorneys who specialize in the target country’s law are often worth every penny, and a good one will give an honest read on realistic chances before any money is spent on documentation.
Here are ten countries offering citizenship by descent, and what Americans with ancestry there actually need to know.
Canada
This one is fresh. In December 2025, Canada enacted an expansion of its citizenship-by-descent rules.
Previously, the rule was strict: if a person was born outside Canada to a Canadian parent who was also born outside Canada, citizenship couldn’t pass to that person. That bottleneck has now been removed.
The new legislation removes the first-generation limit, potentially allowing those with Canadian heritage around the world to qualify for citizenship.
There is one important caveat for children born after December 15, 2025: the Canadian parent must prove they spent at least three years of physical presence in Canada before the child’s birth in order to pass along citizenship.
For Americans with Canadian grandparents who had assumed the door was closed, it may now be open.
Croatia
Croatia grants citizenship to Croatian descendants who permanently left the country before 1991, with no generational limit, as long as proper documentation can prove lineage.
The country itself is extraordinary, pebbled Adriatic beaches, medieval walled cities, and dense forests stretching across the interior. A Croatian passport also provides full European Union freedom of movement.
One significant exclusion: if an ancestor moved to a country that was previously part of Yugoslavia, or left under the terms of an international agreement, the applicant won’t be eligible.
This rules out a number of people who might otherwise assume they qualify, so checking the specific circumstances of a grandparent’s departure is essential before investing time in an application.
Czech Republic
Anyone with Czech grandparents may be able to apply for Czech citizenship, but the qualifications are specific.
The grandparent must have been born in the Czech Republic and remained there until at least 1918. They also cannot have obtained Slovak citizenship at any point in their lives.
Prague is one of the most architecturally stunning cities in Europe, and the broader country offers a depth of history and culture that rarely gets the attention it deserves. For those who qualify, it’s a compelling entry point into Central Europe.
Germany
Those with a German grandparent may be eligible for a German passport. German citizenship cannot skip generations, but that doesn’t mean a parent needs to already hold a German passport. As long as a parent is eligible for German citizenship, the applicant may be as well.
There is a notable and important exception. An unbroken chain of citizenship doesn’t need to be demonstrated if a German ancestor was a victim of Nazi persecution due to their religion, political affiliation, or race between January 30, 1933, and May 8, 1945.
This applies even if that ancestor was stripped of their citizenship and could not pass it down to their children.
Germany is a powerhouse destination in its own right, from the energy of Berlin to the Alpine landscapes of Bavaria. EU membership makes the passport one of the most powerful in the world.
Hungary
A Hungarian grandparent may be the key to obtaining Hungarian citizenship, and there is no generational cap. Budapest is one of the most beautiful capital cities in Europe, straddling the Danube with its grand bridges and thermal baths.
Applicants must pass an interview conducted entirely in Hungarian, covering basic conversation, Hungarian culture, and the national anthem.
Hungarian is widely regarded as one of the hardest languages for English speakers to learn, so this requirement demands serious preparation.
There are also historical complications. If a grandparent left Hungary before 1929 and lived abroad for more than ten years, Hungary likely revoked their citizenship. And before October 1, 1957, most Hungarian women who married a non-Hungarian lost their citizenship automatically.
Confirming a grandparent’s citizenship status before beginning the language study is a sensible first move.
Ireland
Approximately 33 million Americans have Irish heritage. That’s a significant portion of the population, and the pathway to an Irish passport is one of the more straightforward ones on this list.
If either parent was born in Ireland, including Northern Ireland, an American is automatically an Irish citizen.
If a grandparent was born there but the parents were not, citizenship may still be possible, but applicants must first register their birth in Ireland’s foreign births registry before applying for a passport.
Ireland is a member of the European Union, which means its passport unlocks the right to live and work across the continent. For anyone with even a single Irish grandparent, this is worth looking into urgently.
Italy
More than 15 million Americans have Italian heritage, and for decades, Italy had a relatively open pathway for those descendants to claim citizenship. That has changed.
In March 2025, expanded restrictions limited new claims to a parent or grandparent born in Italy who held only Italian citizenship and did not become a naturalized citizen of another country.
A separate exception exists for a parent who lived in Italy for at least two consecutive years after obtaining citizenship, prior to the applicant’s birth.
The tightening of these rules caught many Italian Americans off guard. Anyone who had been delaying an application is advised to seek legal advice immediately to understand whether their specific circumstances still qualify under the new framework.
Lithuania
Lithuania’s pathway is narrow, but it does exist. Citizenship is available to descendants of Lithuanian citizens, but only under a specific set of conditions.
The ancestor must have been a citizen of Lithuania before June 15, 1940, the date of Soviet occupation.
The ancestor must also have fled the country between June 15, 1940, and March 11, 1990. And the ancestor must have immigrated to a country outside of the former Soviet Union.
Some exceptions to those criteria exist, but they are highly dependent on individual circumstances. An attorney with Lithuanian citizenship expertise is particularly valuable here, given how fact-specific the eligibility assessment becomes.
Lithuania itself is a country that rewards curiosity. Vilnius is one of Eastern Europe’s most underrated capitals, with a baroque old town that feels unhurried and genuine.
Poland
To gain Polish citizenship through descent, a parent or grandparent must have lived in Poland after 1920, and applicants need to prove that the ancestor never lost their citizenship.
Loss of citizenship happened in various ways under Polish law. If a grandparent ever held elected office outside of Poland, they automatically lost their citizenship.
Serving in a non-Polish military is another potential disqualification, though there is a narrow exception for those who served with the Allied forces during World War II.
For those with Polish roots who aren’t eligible through descent, a presidential grant of citizenship remains possible, though the process is considerably more complex.
Poland sits at the heart of Central Europe, with a rich culture, excellent food, and cities like Krakow and Gdansk that deserve far more attention than they receive.
Portugal
Portugal is home to more than 14,000 Americans who have already made the move. For those with Portuguese ancestry, a passport may be within reach.
If a parent or grandparent was born in Portugal, citizenship by descent may be possible, but applicants may need to demonstrate proficiency in Portuguese through a language exam or by providing proof of completing a course from a recognized instructor.
Having other ties to Portugal, such as frequent visits to the country or property ownership, may also support an application.
Lisbon is one of the most liveable cities in Europe, with a mild climate, excellent food, and a pace of life that has attracted a growing wave of international residents.
For Americans who have dreamed of a slower, sunnier existence in southwestern Europe, a Portuguese grandparent might be the most valuable thing they’ve inherited.
A note on complexity: citizenship laws shift, and individual circumstances matter enormously. The information above is a starting point, not legal advice.
Before investing significant time or money in any application, consulting an immigration attorney who is licensed in the target country is strongly recommended. A realistic assessment of eligibility up front saves a great deal of frustration later.