10 European countries with birthright citizenship

Although most European countries do not provide full birthright citizenship, several allow it under certain conditions.

Here’s a look at ten European countries where birthright citizenship is possible.

1. Portugal

Portugal grants conditional birthright citizenship. A child born in Portugal can acquire citizenship if one of the parents is Portuguese or has legal residence in the country. Citizenship may also be applied for later if the child is stateless, a parent has lived in Portugal without working in their home country for five years, a parent holds a five-year residence permit, the child completes primary school in Portugal, or if a parent obtains Portuguese citizenship after the child’s birth under the required conditions.

2. Spain

Spain recognizes Jus Sanguinis, or the right of blood. This means a child can claim Spanish citizenship if at least one parent is Spanish, regardless of where the parent lives. Citizenship can also apply to children who would otherwise be stateless, such as when parents are stateless or the home country does not recognize the child’s nationality.

3. Greece

In Greece, birthright citizenship is granted if either parent is a Greek citizen, if a parent has legally resided in Greece for at least five years, or if a parent has met the residence requirement and the child has completed elementary school in the country.

4. Latvia

Children born in Latvia after January 1, 2020, can acquire citizenship if one parent is stateless, both parents are non-citizens, or if the parents have mixed status such as one being a non-citizen and the other stateless or holding another nationality.

5. Malta

Malta allows children to gain birthright citizenship if at least one parent is Maltese. Additionally, anyone born in Malta before 1 August 1989 automatically received citizenship regardless of parental nationality.

6. Germany

German citizenship can be acquired at birth if one parent is German. For children of unmarried parents, citizenship passes through the father’s recognition. Children may also acquire citizenship if a parent has lived in Germany for eight years with permanent residency, though those with dual nationality must choose between German and another nationality between ages 18 and 23.

7. France

French nationality law provides that children born in France automatically acquire citizenship if one parent is French or was also born in France. Children born abroad to a French parent are automatically French, while stateless or abandoned children in France are granted citizenship. Children born in France to foreign parents can acquire citizenship at 18 if they have lived in France for at least five years since age 11. Citizenship may also be obtained earlier through a parental declaration, with consent required after age 13.

8. Belgium

In Belgium, children born in the country can acquire citizenship if one parent is Belgian, if the parents are stateless, or if a parent born in Belgium has lived there for at least five years before the child’s birth. Children who have lived in Belgium since birth, with one parent residing for at least ten years, or those adopted by a Belgian citizen or a foreigner who has lived in Belgium for five years, may also acquire citizenship.

9. Finland

Birthright citizenship in Finland is granted if the mother is Finnish, if the father is Finnish and married to the child’s mother, or if the father legally recognizes the child born in Finland after 1 June 2003. Children born after 1 April 2019 can acquire citizenship if a Finnish citizen is legally recognized as their mother, even if not the biological mother.

10. Ireland

Irish birthright citizenship depends on the date of birth and parental status. Children born before 1 January 2005 may acquire citizenship if one parent is Irish, British, or a resident for at least three of the five years before birth, or if the child would otherwise be stateless. For children born on or after 1 January 2005, citizenship depends on the parents’ nationality. Children automatically receive Irish citizenship if at least one parent was an Irish or UK citizen at the time of birth.

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