Foreign citizenship
European citizenship by descent — where to begin
European citizenship opens a world of possibilities — living, working and studying across an entire continent. For many, the eligibility already exists; it is only waiting to be found.
Eligibility starts with family
Many European countries — including Romania, Poland, Germany, Austria and Bulgaria — allow citizenship by origin. If a parent, grandparent was born or lived in such a country, you may be eligible.
Where to start
- Map the family tree — who was born where
- Locate birth, marriage and immigration documents of earlier generations
- Check the destination country's specific law — each has its own rules
- Assess the route and file an orderly application with the competent authorities
What to do when documents are missing
Missing documents are not the end of the road — they are the start of archival research. Old records are kept in archives in Israel and in countries of origin, and locating them sometimes takes orderly detective work.
Dual citizenship
Most destination countries permit dual citizenship and keeping your Israeli citizenship. Still, the law varies from country to country, and it is worth checking the specific case in advance.
An initial eligibility check is usually short — a few questions about family roots, and a grounded answer on whether there is a basis to proceed.
This article is general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Each case is assessed on its own facts.
Related service:
Foreign Citizenship & Passports
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