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.

Pillar guide

Polish Citizenship by Descent

Polish citizenship by descent has no generational limit — if your ancestor was a Polish citizen at the time of your next ancestor's birth, you are likely already a Polish citizen. The challenge is not the law; it's the documents.

Poland was partitioned (1795-1918), occupied in WWII (1939-1945), and had borders shifted (1945). Records may be in Warsaw, Lviv, Vilnius, Minsk, or Berlin. Our network of genealogists specialize in reconstructing these pre-war records.

Last reviewed July 2026 by Ancestra editorial team

No generational limit

Polish citizenship passes by blood without limit. You can claim through a parent, grandparent, great-grandparent, or any earlier ancestor — provided the line was never broken by naturalization in another country.

The key question is: was your ancestor a Polish citizen at the time of the next child's birth? Before 1918 (when Poland did not exist as a sovereign state), they were NOT Polish citizens — they were Russian, Prussian, or Austrian subjects. After 1918 (Second Polish Republic), Polish citizenship existed.

The archive challenge

Polish CBD cases require reconstructing records from multiple archives: AGAD (Warsaw) for the Russian Partition, Poznań State Archive for the Prussian Partition, Kraków National Archive for the Austrian Partition (Galicia), and archives in Lviv, Vilnius, and Minsk for territories that were Polish before 1945.

Our network of genealogists have direct working relationships with all of these archives.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is there a generational limit for Polish citizenship?

No. Polish citizenship passes by blood without limit. As long as the line is unbroken, descendants of any generation qualify.

My ancestor emigrated before 1918 — does that count?

If your ancestor emigrated before 1918 (when Poland did not exist), they were not a Polish citizen — they were a subject of Russia, Prussia, or Austria. However, if they returned to Poland after 1918 or maintained Polish ties (consular registration, military service), they may have acquired Polish citizenship.

Related resources

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Glossary: AGAD

Central Archives of Historical Records

Glossary: Partitions

The 1795-1918 division of Poland

Ready to start your case?

Run our free 4-minute eligibility check. A case lead will tell you in writing whether you qualify.

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