What is citizenship by descent?

Citizenship by descent (CBD) is the legal right to acquire a country's citizenship through one's ancestors, based on the principle of jus sanguinis (right of blood). Over 90 countries offer some form of citizenship by descent.

Which countries offer citizenship by descent?

Over 90 countries offer CBD. The most accessible include Italy, Ireland, Poland, Germany, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Canada, Spain, and Portugal.

How long does citizenship by descent take?

Timelines vary by country. Italy: 12-36 months. Ireland: 9-18 months. Poland: 12-24 months. Germany: 12-30 months. Mexico: 6-14 months. Brazil: 6-12 months.

Can I have dual citizenship?

In most cases yes. The US, Canada, UK, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Italy, Ireland, Portugal, Spain, and most EU states permit dual citizenship. Notable exceptions: Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, Japan, China, Singapore.

How much does citizenship by descent cost?

Costs vary by country. Typical all-in fixed fees: Italy $8,000-$25,000, Ireland $4,000-$9,000, Poland $5,000-$15,000, Germany $8,000-$25,000, Mexico $3,000-$8,000, Brazil $3,000-$7,000.

Is the consultation confidential?

Yes. Every consultation is confidential. Nothing you share can be disclosed without your consent. When you're matched with a professional in our network, that professional's own confidentiality and privilege policies apply to your engagement.

How long does the consultation take?

The first consultation is 90 minutes for video and in-office meetings, or 60 minutes for phone calls.

Is the consultation really free?

Yes. The first 90 minutes are confidential, candid, and free of charge. No retainer required.

What should I prepare for the consultation?

Bring whatever you know about your ancestor: full name, date and place of birth, country of origin, emigration date, naturalization status, and any documents you already have.

How quickly will I hear back after requesting a consultation?

We reply to every consultation request within 24 hours, in your timezone.

What consultation formats are available?

We offer private video consultation (90 minutes), in-office meeting (90 minutes, available in New York, Lisbon, and Mexico City), and telephone call (60 minutes).

Do I need to commit to anything after the consultation?

No. The consultation is free and carries no obligation.

What languages are consultations available in?

Case leads are available in seven languages: English, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, French, German, and Polish.

Process & Procedure

Premium Processing

Premium processing is an expedited processing option offered by some authorities for an additional fee, available for certain CBD applications but not others.

Last reviewed July 2026 · Part of the Ancestra CBD Glossary (Process & Procedure)

In depth

What Premium Processing means in practice.

Premium processing (also called expedited processing or priority processing) is an expedited processing option offered by some authorities for an additional fee. It shortens the processing time for applications that meet certain criteria.

For CBD cases, premium processing is available from some authorities: (1) USCIS offers premium processing for certain naturalization-related applications (not directly for CBD), (2) some Italian consulates offer priority appointments for emergency cases, and (3) some commercial services offer 'expedited' document retrieval (though this is not official government processing).

Most CBD regimes do not offer official premium processing — the timeline is determined by the authority's backlog. Ancestra monitors processing times and advises clients on realistic expectations.

Related terms

Keep learning.

Foundations

Consular Appointment

A consular appointment is a scheduled meeting at a consulate to submit a citizenship application or complete an interview, often with multi-year wait times at popular consulates.

Foundations

RFE

An RFE (Request for Evidence) is a formal request from a citizenship authority for additional documentation or clarification during the processing of an application.

Process & Procedure

Retainer

A retainer is a formal agreement between a client and a lawyer establishing the scope of legal services and the fee arrangement, required before Ancestra begins work on a CBD case.

Process & Procedure

Engagement Letter

An engagement letter is a written agreement specifying the terms of legal services, synonymous with retainer in CBD practice.

Process & Procedure

Fixed Fee

A fixed fee is a flat-rate pricing model where the total cost of legal services is agreed in advance, in contrast to hourly billing, used by Ancestra for all CBD cases.

Process & Procedure

Conflict Check

A conflict check is the process of verifying that a lawyer can represent a client without a conflict of interest, performed before Ancestra accepts a new CBD case.

Ready to apply this to your case?

Run our free 4-minute eligibility check, or book a private consultation. A case lead will explain how Premium Processing applies to your specific situation — in plain language, citing the relevant statute.

Loading…