The rules for obtaining citizenship for children born abroad vary significantly across different countries. In some states, citizenship can be acquired automatically by place of birth, while in most European countries additional requirements for parents or duration of residency apply. Visit Ukraine reports on this.
Jus soli in Europe only applies under additional conditions
The principle of jus soli or 'right of the soil' means the automatic acquisition of citizenship by virtue of being born on the territory of the country.
In most European states, classic jus soli is rarely applied. Most often, to obtain citizenship, it is necessary for the parents to have permanent residency, legal status, or a certain length of stay in the country.
In many cases, a child may only acquire citizenship after several years of residence or upon reaching a certain age.
Which European countries grant citizenship to foreign children
Among the countries with simplified mechanisms for foreign children are:
- United Kingdom – citizenship is granted if one parent has a British passport or permanent residency status.
- Ireland – legal residence of one parent for at least 3 years is required.
- France – citizenship is possible after a prolonged stay of the child in the country.
- Greece – legal residence of parents and the child's schooling are taken into account.
- Portugal – one parent must have legally resided in the country for at least one year before the child's birth.
In many European countries, migration legislation is regularly changing, and citizenship rules are becoming stricter due to discussions around migration and the burden on social systems.
For Ukrainians living or planning to give birth abroad, this means a need to carefully check the current requirements of the specific country before processing documents.