Top 10 European countries with birthright citizenship under defined conditions

Citizenship laws across Europe show that birth within a country does not always lead to nationality. Many states apply rules based on descent or legal residence, limiting automatic access at birth.

However, some still provide pathways to citizenship for children born on their soil under defined conditions. These rules often consider factors such as parental status, length of residence and the need to prevent statelessness, shaping how nationality is granted across the region.

Read also: 20 American and European countries that grant citizenship by birth in 2025

Here are the top 10 European countries with birthright citizenship

1. Portugal

Portugal grants citizenship by birth under conditions. A child must be born in the country, and at least one parent must be Portuguese or legally resident. Citizenship may also apply if the child is stateless, if a parent has lived in Portugal for five years, or if the child completes primary education there. In some cases, eligibility can come later if a parent acquires citizenship.

2. Spain

Spain follows “the right of blood”. A child becomes a citizen if one parent is Spanish, regardless of birthplace. It also applies where a child would otherwise have no nationality, including cases involving stateless parents or where the parents’ country does not recognise the child.

3. Greece

In Greece, citizenship is linked to both descent and residence. A child qualifies if one parent is Greek. It may also apply where a parent has lived in the country for at least five years, especially if the child completes elementary education there.

Read also: 10 countries where work visa requirements are similar

4. Latvia

Latvia allows citizenship for children born in the country in cases involving stateless or non-citizen parents. Since January 1, 2020, the law has expanded to cover mixed-status situations, helping reduce statelessness.

5. Malta

Malta grants citizenship if one parent is Maltese. It also recognises “unconditional Jus Soli” for people born in the country before 1 August 1989, regardless of parental nationality.

6. Germany

Germany offers citizenship through descent and residency. A child born in Germany can qualify if one parent has lived there for eight years and holds permanent residence. In some cases, the child may need to choose between nationalities between ages 18 and 23.

7. France

France provides several routes. A child born in France gains citizenship if one parent is French or was also born there. Children born abroad to French parents are citizens. Those born in France to foreign parents may qualify at 18 if they have lived there for at least five years from age 11. Stateless or abandoned children are also covered.

8. Belgium

Belgium grants citizenship if one parent is Belgian or if the parents are stateless. It may also apply where a parent was born in Belgium and lived there for five years, or where the child has lived in the country since birth and a parent has long-term residence. Adoption can also lead to citizenship.

9. Finland

Finland bases citizenship on parentage. A child qualifies if the mother is Finnish, or if the father is Finnish and married to the mother. Recognition by the father or legal recognition of maternity also allows citizenship under current law.

10. Ireland

Ireland no longer grants automatic citizenship for all births. Children born before January 1, 2005 may qualify under earlier rules. For those born after, at least one parent must be an Irish or UK citizen, or have lived in the country for three of the previous five years. Citizenship also applies where the child would otherwise be stateless.