Romanian Citizenship by Descent: The Complete Step-by-Step Guide for 2026

EU citizenship by descent is a legal mechanism that allows individuals with European ancestors to claim or restore their ancestral nationality — and by extension, become full citizens of a European Union member state. Unlike naturalization, this process does not require you to live in the country; it is based entirely on documented lineage.

Dozens of countries within the EU recognise the right of descendants to reclaim citizenship that was lost due to emigration, political persecution, or historical borders being redrawn. The most active programmes in 2025 are offered by Italy, Portugal, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Poland, Lithuania, and Latvia.

Each EU country has its own citizenship laws. Some permit citizenship through unlimited generations (Italy, Romania); others limit claims to one or two generations. Always consult a legal expert before investing time in document collection.

 

Who Is Eligible?

Eligibility depends on three core factors: the country you are targeting, the generation through which you trace descent, and whether your ancestor lost or retained their original citizenship at any point.

Generational requirements by country

Italy is among the most permissive — there is theoretically no generational limit, as long as citizenship was passed unbroken through Italian-citizen ancestors who had not naturalised elsewhere before the birth of the next generation. Portugal’s programme allows third-generation Sephardic Jewish descendants. Hungary enables ethnic Hungarians in border regions to apply.

Country	Max generations	Processing time	Key requirement
Italy	Unlimited	18–36 months	Unbroken chain, no prior naturalisation
Portugal	3rd gen (Sephardic)	6–12 months	Cultural connection proof
Romania	Unlimited	12–24 months	Romanian-territory ancestor
🇭🇺 Hungary	Unlimited	6–18 months	Hungarian language test
Bulgaria	3rd gen	12–24 months	Bulgarian origin proof
🇵🇱 Poland	Unlimited	18–36 months	Confirmation of Polish citizenship

Documents You Will Need

Document requirements are the most demanding part of any citizenship by descent claim. Courts and consulates require originals or certified copies of every vital record in the chain, translated into the relevant language by a sworn translator.

Core document checklist

• Ancestor’s birth certificate — the original document from the country of origin, ideally with an apostille.
• Marriage certificate(s) — for every marriage in the chain, to link surnames across generations.
• Death certificate of the ancestor (where applicable).
• Naturalisation records — proof that your ancestor did not naturalise in another country before the birth of the relevant child.
• Your own birth certificate and those of all intermediate ancestors.
• Passports / identity documents for yourself and, if required, for immediate family members.

The Application Process Step by Step

Once documents are collected, the process varies by country — some require filing at the consulate in your country of residence, others mandate an in-country filing. Below is the general workflow that applies to most EU countries.

Step 1 — Eligibility assessment

Before collecting any documents, confirm your legal eligibility with a specialised lawyer. This saves months of work if a disqualifying event (like an ancestor’s naturalisation before a key birth) is discovered early.

Step 2 — Document collection

Begin with the oldest ancestor and work forward. Allow 6–18 months for international archive requests. Engage a certified genealogist for research in the country of origin.

Step 3 — Translation and apostille

All foreign documents must be translated by a certified sworn translator and bear an apostille under the Hague Convention. Verify the specific requirements with the receiving consulate before proceeding.

Step 4 — Filing at consulate or municipality

Depending on the country, you either file at the local consulate in your country of residence (Italy, Romania) or at a specific municipality in the target country (Portugal). File a complete dossier — incomplete submissions are returned and queue positions are lost.

Step 5 — Interview and language test (if required)

Hungary and Lithuania require a language proficiency demonstration. Bulgaria may request a cultural knowledge interview. Portugal requires evidence of connection to Portuguese culture for Sephardic applicants.

Step 6 — Decision and oath

Processing times range from 6 months (Portugal fast-track) to 36+ months (Italian consulates in certain jurisdictions). Upon approval, you take a formal oath and receive your new EU passport within weeks.

Costs and Realistic Timelines

Total costs vary widely depending on which country you target, how complex your genealogy is, and whether you engage professional help. The table below reflects typical ranges for clients working with a full-service legal provider.

Most Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

1. Assuming eligibility without verification

Family oral history is not a legal document. Many applicants spend years collecting records only to discover an ancestor naturalised in the US before a key child was born, severing the Italian citizenship chain. Always start with a legal assessment.

2. Using unofficial translations

Translations from online services or bilingual friends are never accepted. Every translated document must bear the translator’s stamp, certification number, and in some jurisdictions, a notarial seal.

3. Filing an incomplete dossier

At Italian consulates in particular, missing even a single document means the entire package is returned and you lose your appointment slot — which may have taken 2+ years to obtain.