Countries
Every country we check.
7 countries so far. Each page shows who qualifies, the routes, the cost and the official links.
The basics
How descent works.
Some countries let you become a citizen through a parent or grandparent, even if you were born somewhere else. Each country sets its own rules.
- Each country sets how many generations back you can go.
- Some routes mean you are a citizen already, and you only need to register or get a passport. Others need a full application.
- Dates matter. The rules can change with the year your parent was born, married or became a citizen.
- You prove each link in your family line with papers, like birth and marriage certificates.
FAQ
Common questions.
What is citizenship by descent?
Citizenship you can claim through a parent or grandparent, even if you were born in another country. Each country sets its own rules on how far back you can go.
Which countries does the checker cover?
Canada, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, Poland and United Kingdom so far. We add a country once we have read its official pages.
How does the checker work?
Pick a country and answer its questions about your family, one at a time. The checker shows the first route that fits your answers, with the steps, cost and documents from the official page.
What do the results mean?
Likely path means a route fits your answers. Worth checking means a route may fit, but it depends on dates or documents. Not likely means no route fits these answers.
Is this an official tool?
No. We read each country's official pages and link to them. Rules change, so check the official page before you apply.
Sources
Every fact comes from the country's official pages. Each country page lists its sources and the date we read them.
- Canada: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) (canada.ca)
- Germany: Federal Office of Administration (Bundesverwaltungsamt, BVA) (bva.bund.de)
- Ireland: Department of Foreign Affairs (Ireland) (ireland.ie)
- Italy: Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (esteri.it)
- Mexico: Secretaría de Relaciones Exteriores (SRE) (gob.mx)
- Poland: Voivode (wojewoda). The Ministry of the Interior and Administration gives guidance and hears appeals. (gov.pl)
- United Kingdom: Home Office (UK Visas and Immigration) (gov.uk)
General information, not legal advice. Last checked 11 Oct 2026.