Can I Get Citizenship Through My Grandparents?
Yes. Over 25 countries offer citizenship by descent through grandparents, including Italy, Ireland, Poland, Germany, and Hungary. Each country has different rules about how far back your ancestry can go.
Countries That Allow Citizenship Through Grandparents
| Country | Grandparent Route? | Generational Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Italy | Yes | No limit |
| Ireland | Yes (Foreign Births Register) | Grandparent must be Irish-born |
| Poland | Yes | No limit (must prove citizenship chain) |
| Hungary | Yes (simplified naturalization) | No limit (requires basic Hungarian) |
| Germany | Yes (for Nazi-era descendants) | Restored in 2021 |
| Croatia | Yes | No formal limit |
| Dominican Republic | Yes | Parent or grandparent |
How the Process Works
- Verify your lineage — confirm your grandparent was a citizen of that country
- Gather documents — birth, marriage, death certificates for everyone in the chain
- Check for disqualifying events — some ancestors may have lost citizenship through naturalization
- Apply — submit to the consulate, embassy, or directly in the country
Which Country Is Easiest?
Ireland is generally the simplest if your grandparent was born there — you just register on the Foreign Births Register (EUR 278, 12-18 months). Italy has no generational limit but consulate wait times can be long. Poland is fast once you have documents but proving the citizenship chain requires research.
Take our free eligibility quiz to find out which countries you may qualify for.
