Repatriation: how to obtain an EU passport through ancestors without investments

A passport from a European country can be obtained not only through investment programs. For many Ukrainians, there is a much cheaper and simpler way - repatriation, as reported by Novyny.Live.

Repatriation is the legal return of a person to their historical homeland based on ethnic origin or previous citizenship of ancestors.

In the 20th century, millions of people were forced to leave their homes due to wars, deportations, and border changes. Today, the descendants of these people have the right to restore the lost connection with their historical homeland.

To do this, it is necessary to:

• Documentarily confirm lineage
• Prove that ancestors had citizenship or resided in the territory of a certain country
• Pass checks by migration services

The decision to grant citizenship is made individually after a thorough analysis of the documents and confirmation of national roots.

Romania: the most popular destination for Ukrainians

Romanian citizenship is one of the most accessible options for residents of Western Ukraine. Between 1918 and 1940, Northern Bukovina was part of the Kingdom of Romania, so thousands of modern Ukrainians have Romanian roots.

Conditions for repatriation to Romania:

• Presence of ancestors up to the 3rd degree of kinship (great-grandparents) who lived in Romania from 1918 to 1940
• Documentary confirmation of family ties
• No criminal record

Bulgaria: an alternative option

A Bulgarian passport is also available for Ukrainians with the appropriate origin. The country is loyal to the descendants of ethnic Bulgarians and citizens of the former Bulgarian state.

Requirements for repatriation to Bulgaria:

• At least one relative from the generation of great-grandparents had Bulgarian citizenship
• No criminal convictions
• No ban on entry to EU countries
• Basic knowledge of Bulgarian history and culture (in some cases)

What you need to start:

• Study your ancestry - find out if you have ancestors with Romanian or Bulgarian roots
• Collect documents - birth, marriage, and death certificates of ancestors, residence certificates
• Consult specialized lawyers - they will help correctly fill out the application and prepare the document package
• Submit the application - through the consulate or migration authorities of the country

When considering the possibility of obtaining citizenship of a European country for Ukrainians, repatriation proves to be a cheaper and simpler option compared to investment programs. For many Ukrainians with ethnic ties to Romania or Bulgaria, this can be a pathway to obtaining a European passport.