Citizenship laws across Europe show that birth within a country does not always confer nationality. Many states impose rules based on descent or legal residence, limiting automatic access at birth.
However, some still provide a path 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, deciding how nationality is granted throughout the territory.
Also read: 20 American and European countries to give citizenship based on birth in 2025
Here are the top 10 European countries with birthright citizenship
1. Portugal
Portugal grants citizenship by birth under certain 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 the parents have lived in Portugal for five years, or if the child completes primary education there. In some cases, eligibility may come later if the parents acquire citizenship.
2. Spain
Spain adheres to the “right of blood”. If one of the parents is Spanish, the child becomes a citizen, regardless of birthplace. This also applies where a child would otherwise have no nationality, including cases involving stateless parents or where the parent's country does not recognize the child.
3. Greece
Citizenship in Greece is linked to both descent and residence. The child qualifies if one of the parents is Greek. This may also apply where the parents have lived in the country for at least five years, especially if the child completes primary education there.
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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 been expanded to cover mixed-status situations, helping to reduce statelessness.
5. Malta
Malta grants citizenship if one of the parents is Maltese. It also recognizes “unconditional jus soli” for people born in the country before 1 August 1989, regardless of the nationality of the parents.
6. Germany
Germany grants citizenship through descent and residence. A child born in Germany can qualify if one of his or her parents has lived there for eight years and has permanent residence. In some cases, the child may need to choose between nationalities between the ages of 18 and 23.
7. France
France offers several routes. A child born in France gets citizenship if one of the parents is French or was also born there. Foreign-born children of French parents are citizens. People born in France to foreign parents can qualify at the age of 18 if they have lived there for at least five years from the age of 11. Stateless or abandoned children are also included in this.
8. Belgium
Grants Belgian citizenship if one of the parents is Belgian or if the parents are stateless. This may also apply where the parents were born in Belgium and have lived there for five years, or where the child has lived in the country since birth and the parents have long-term residence. Citizenship can also be obtained through adoption.
9. Finland
Finland bases citizenship on parenthood. 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 motherhood also allows citizenship under current law.
10. Ireland
Ireland no longer offers automatic citizenship for all births. Children born before January 1, 2005 may be eligible under earlier rules. For those born thereafter, at least one parent must be an Irish or UK citizen, or have lived in the country for three of the last five years. Citizenship also applies where the child would otherwise be stateless.