When it comes to reclaiming citizenship through ancestry, most people think of EU countries like Italy, Ireland—nations well known for Irish citizenship by descent or Italian citizenship programs— and Poland. But did you know that several European countries outside the European Union also offer ancestry dual citizenship opportunities to those with ancestral ties?
If you have family history in the Balkans, the Caucasus, or the UK, you might be eligible for a second passport—even if your ancestors left generations ago. Some of these countries make the application process relatively easy, while others have more complex conditions involving naturalization records, ancestry documents, or proof of lineage through a birth certificate.
Which Non-EU Countries Offer Citizenship by Ancestry?
The following countries have some form of ancestry-based citizenship law, allowing descendants of emigrants to reclaim nationality under certain conditions (often following the jus sanguinis principle rather than jus solis):
| Country/Region | Affilian | Ancestry-Based Citizenship | Required Degree of Ancestry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albania | Non-EU, Council of Europe | Yes | Great-Grandparents |
| Armenia | Non-EU, Council of Europe | Yes | Any ancestor |
| Bosnia & Herzegovina | Non-EU, Council of Europe | Yes | Grandparents |
| Moldova | Non-EU, Council of Europe | Yes | Great-grandparents, persons who lived in historic regions before 1940, and deported/refugee descendants |
| Serbia | Non-EU, Council of Europe | Yes | Any ancestor |
| Ukraine | Non-EU, Council of Europe | Yes | Grandparents |
| United Kingdom | Non-EU, Former EU Member | Conditional | Complex rules based on birth year, colonial ties, and gender-based lineage (see below) |
Let’s dive into what makes each of these programs unique.
1. Albania – Reclaim Your Albanian Heritage
Albania allows people with Albanian great-grandparents to apply for citizenship. The process requires proof of lineage through birth certificates, but once granted, Albanian citizenship provides visa-free travel to many countries.
2. Armenia – Open to Descendants of Many Generations
If your parent or grandparent was Armenian, you may be able to become a citizen of Armenia. The process is simpler than most EU routes like the Foreign Births Register in Ireland or Italian Citizenship Assistance programs. You don’t need to live there, speak the language, or take an Oath of Allegiance. However, if your Armenian ancestor is further back, stronger ancestry documents may be required.
3. Bosnia & Herzegovina – Citizenship Through Grandparents
If you have a grandparent who was a Bosnian citizen, you can apply for Bosnian nationality. However, the process can be bureaucratic, and applicants often need to show cultural or language ties as part of the application fee review process.
4. Moldova – A Broad and Unique Approach
Moldova offers one of the most inclusive ancestry-based programs. If you have a parent, grandparent, or great-grandparent born in Moldova, you can apply. Additionally, if your ancestors lived in certain historical regions like Bessarabia or Northern Bukovina before 1940—or were deported due to Soviet actions—you may also be eligible. Similar to Irish citizenship through Foreign Birth Registration, this law emphasizes connection through generational limits.
5. Serbia – One of the Easiest Paths to Citizenship
Serbia’s ancestry-based law is among the most flexible. Unlike some EU countries such as the Czech Republic or Ireland, you don’t need to prove a specific degree of ancestry—just that you have Serbian heritage somewhere in your family tree. This makes it one of the simplest routes to citizenship by descent and an alternative to investment paths like the Golden Visa Program.
6. Ukraine – Citizenship for Those with Ukrainian Grandparents
Ukraine allows people with Ukrainian grandparents to apply for citizenship. However, given the ongoing geopolitical situation, the government has tightened its nationality laws. Currently, applicants must renounce any other nationality to become Ukrainian citizens. While this may limit EU passport opportunities, it still connects applicants deeply to their family history and national roots.
7. United Kingdom – A Complex but Worthwhile Route
Unlike other countries on this list, British citizenship by descent is highly conditional. Eligibility depends on:
- Your birth year (rules changed in 1949 and 1983).
- Whether your grandfather was born in the UK and served in Crown Service.
- Whether your parents were born in a British colony or a Commonwealth country.
- Whether your grandmother married a British man before 1949 (a rule that existed under historical gender-based nationality laws).
The UK’s nationality laws can be tricky to navigate, but for those who qualify, a British passport is still a strong asset.
Why This Matters & What’s Next
Ancestry-based citizenship offers a powerful opportunity to reconnect with your heritage while gaining a second passport that can provide travel, work, and residency benefits. Programs vary widely—from the Democratic Memory Law in Spain to Portuguese nationality and Italian citizenship by descent—but all share one idea: reclaiming identity through family.
At Citizenship.EU, we’re committed to helping people unlock their citizenship rights through ancestry. While we currently focus on EU nations, we’re planning to expand our services to include some of these non-EU ancestry-based citizenship programs soon.
If you have roots in any of these countries, we’d love to hear from you! Stay tuned as we develop new support services and resources to help applicants reclaim their rightful nationality.