What is citizenship by descent?

Citizenship by descent programs are legal pathways that allow you to claim citizenship and obtain a passport based on your ancestry. Many countries allow the world have citizenship laws that allow foreigners to claim citizenship by descent given applicable conditions and requirements are met.

What documents are needed for citizenship by descent?

The documents required to claim citizenship by descent vary by country. Typically, a valid passport and clean criminal record are required, as well as documents proving your ancestry. You can check the exact documents required for each program at CitizenX.

Top Citizenship by Descent Countries & Programs 2026

Europe

Ireland

from $15,000

Ancestry required
189 visa-free destinations
100% online process
9 months time to passport

North America

Canada

from $15,000

Ancestry required
181 visa-free destinations
No presence required
6 months time to passport

Europe

Poland

from $25,000

Ancestry required
185 visa-free destinations
No presence required
8 months time to passport

Europe

Croatia

from $25,000

Ancestry required
173 visa-free destinations
No presence required
24 months time to passport

Europe

Slovakia

from $25,000

Ancestry required
183 visa-free destinations
NO PRESENCE REQUIRED
8 months time to passport

Europe

Lithuania

from $15,000

Ancestry required
182 visa-free destinations
NO PRESENCE REQUIRED
2 months time to passport

Europe

Czech Republic

from $15,000

Ancestry required
185 visa-free destinations
NO PRESENCE REQUIRED
8 months time to passport

Europe

Hungary

from $25,000

Ancestry & language required
186 visa-free destinations
NO PRESENCE REQUIRED
6 months time to passport

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Vincent

CitizenX helped us to get this passport in such a friendly, diligent and compassionate way. I‘m totally happy and grateful that they made this happen in such a quick and smooth way. I really cannot tell you how relieved I am and how happy that CitizenX crossed my way!!

Marc

When I did Antigua with [brick & mortar firm], I sent everything the first week and they took 5 months to submit, asking me for a new document every 2 weeks. That's why I never worked with them again. The CitizenX platform is just great, it makes it so much easier to manage my passport portfolio.

Pieter

With [brick & mortar firm] and Grenada, it was a nightmare. We were doing email marathons. CitizenX made the entire process so much easier! The ease of processing and the cost effective is unreal.

r/PassportPorn

@BareknuckleBobby

[CitizenX is] brilliant. I had tried the process before with local lawyers but there is no way I would do it without Citizenx. Too much red tape and 0 privacy to avoid data leaks. It took a total of 5 months since I applied until today.