In Europe, most countries do not grant birthright citizenship (also called jus soli) to children born on their soil unless specific conditions are met, such as having a parent who is a legal resident or citizen. Unlike in countries like the U.S. and Canada, where unconditional birthright citizenship is common, European countries generally operate under jus sanguinis (citizenship by descent).

However, there are a few exceptions or partial implementations of jus soli in Europe. Here’s a list of European countries offering limited or conditional birthright citizenship:

Countries Offering Conditional Birthright Citizenship

1. France
   • Children born in France automatically become French citizens at 18 if they:
     • Were born in France,
     • Have lived in France for at least 5 years since age 11,
     • Regardless of their parents’ nationality or status.
   • Alternatively, they can apply for citizenship at 13 if they meet residency and other conditions.
2. Germany
   • A child born in Germany to foreign parents can acquire German citizenship if:
     • At least one parent has lived in Germany legally for at least 8 years,
     • And holds permanent residency at the time of the child’s birth.
3. Ireland
   • Before 2005, Ireland offered unconditional birthright citizenship.
   • Now, children born in Ireland automatically acquire citizenship only if:
     • At least one parent is an Irish citizen or has the right to reside in Ireland/EU,
     • Or the child would otherwise be stateless.
4. Portugal
   • A child born in Portugal acquires citizenship if:
     • At least one parent has been a legal resident for at least 1 year before the birth,
     • Or the child would otherwise be stateless.
5. Spain
   • A child born in Spain can acquire citizenship if:
     • At least one parent is a legal resident,
     • Or if the child would otherwise be stateless,
     • Children of certain former colonies (e.g., Latin America) can acquire citizenship more easily.
6. Belgium
   • A child born in Belgium automatically becomes Belgian if:
     • At least one parent was born in Belgium and lived there for 5 years in the past,
     • Or the parents apply for citizenship after the child has lived in Belgium for 10 years.
7. United Kingdom
   • A child born in the UK can automatically become British if:
     • At least one parent is a British citizen or has settled status,
     • Or the child lives in the UK for the first 10 years of their life.
8. Italy
   • Children born in Italy do not automatically acquire citizenship. However, they can apply for citizenship at 18 if they:
     • Were born in Italy,
     • And have lived there legally without interruption until their 18th birthday.
9. Greece
   • Children born in Greece can acquire citizenship if:
     • At least one parent has lived in Greece legally for at least 5 years,
     • Or the child completes 6 years of Greek schooling.

No Birthright Citizenship

Countries like Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Switzerland, and most of Eastern Europe strictly adhere to jus sanguinis. A child born in these countries typically inherits the nationality of their parents and cannot acquire citizenship by birth alone.

In conclusion, unconditional birthright citizenship is almost nonexistent in Europe, but some countries offer a pathway to citizenship for children born to foreign parents under specific conditions, such as parental residency or the risk of statelessness.

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