Citizenship by descent is driving a quiet revolution in how Americans think about home. Irish citizenship applications from US residents are up 63% this year — and it is not just about Ireland. Millions of Americans are discovering they may already qualify for European citizenship through their grandparents, great-grandparents, or more distant ancestors, with no language test and no residency requirement in many cases.
Whether you are tracing your family tree back to Italy, Poland, Portugal, or beyond, citizenship by descent offers a practical path to dual nationality, expanded travel freedom, and the right to live and work anywhere in the EU. And when you are ready to make the move from the DC area to your ancestral homeland, working with FMC-registered international movers in Washington DC who understand the nuances of overseas relocations makes all the difference.
Why Are Americans Pursuing Citizenship by Descent Right Now?
The surge in interest is not coincidental. European citizenship offers tangible benefits: the right to live, work, and study across multiple EU countries, access to excellent healthcare systems, and freedom to move throughout the Schengen Zone without visa restrictions.
For families considering moving abroad with children, securing citizenship by descent before relocating simplifies school enrolment, healthcare access, and long-term integration. The best part — many European countries do not require you to speak the language, pass a test, or even live there first. If your grandparent, great-grandparent, or more distant ancestor was a citizen, you may already qualify.
Complete Country-by-Country Guide to Citizenship by Descent
1. Ireland — The Grandparent Connection
Eligibility: Grandparent born in Ireland. Those with great-grandparents may qualify if their parent registered before the applicant’s birth.
Language test: No
Processing time: 2+ years (significant backlog driven by the 63% surge in applications)
Cost: €278 per adult, plus authentication document fees
What the move from DC involves: Shipping household goods from Washington DC to Ireland typically takes 6–8 weeks by sea. As IAM-certified international movers, BLUEmove International Relocation coordinates full container or LCL shipping depending on volume. Most families relocating from Northern Virginia or Maryland find a 20-foot container accommodates a 2–3 bedroom home. Irish customs allows duty-free import of personal effects for new residents with citizenship. We handle all documentation, coordinate with receiving agents in Dublin and Cork, and provide full packing services.
2. Italy — No Generational Limit
Eligibility: No generational limit — if your Italian ancestor never naturalised as a US citizen before their child’s birth, you may qualify regardless of how many generations back.
Language test: No
Processing time: 2–4 years through Italian consulates; some applicants pursue faster judicial routes in Italy
Cost: €300 plus apostille, translation and vital records costs
What the move from DC involves: Italy is one of the most requested destinations we serve from our Columbia, Maryland base. Shipping timelines to Italian ports (Genoa, Naples) run 8–10 weeks door-to-door. Italy has strict customs regulations, so working with an FMC-registered moving company experienced in Italian documentation is essential. We coordinate with local customs brokers and handle the certificato di cambio residenza. For families considering coastal areas, our guide to the best Portuguese towns for American expats offers useful context on Mediterranean coastal living.
3. Poland — Great-Grandparent Pathway
Eligibility: Polish citizenship after 1920 through great-grandparents, provided they did not renounce citizenship before your parent’s birth.
Language test: No
Processing time: 1–2 years
Cost: Approximately $500–$1,000 including document preparation
What the move from DC involves: Warsaw and Kraków are increasingly popular with American expats. Shipping from the DC area to Poland takes approximately 6–8 weeks, routing through Gdańsk. As overseas movers serving Northern Virginia with 21+ years of experience, we have helped numerous families navigate Polish customs, which requires detailed inventories in both English and Polish.
4. Germany — Restoration for Nazi-Era Persecution
Eligibility: Citizenship restoration under Article 116 for descendants of those who fled Nazi persecution between 1933–1945, even if ancestors renounced German citizenship.
Language test: No (for Article 116 cases)
Processing time: 12–18 months
Cost: €51 plus documentation expenses
What the move from DC involves: We ship regularly to Hamburg, Bremen, and Frankfurt from our Maryland base. Transit time is 6–7 weeks, with Germany’s customs process among Europe’s most straightforward. The international relocation cost breakdown for Germany typically ranges from $8,000–$15,000 for a full household depending on volume and destination city. Full details on citizenship restoration are available from the Federal Office of Administration Germany.
5. Portugal — Sephardic and Grandparent Routes
Eligibility: Two main pathways — Sephardic Jewish descent proving connection to expelled communities, or through grandparents with residency requirements being relaxed for descendants.
Language test: Basic Portuguese (A2 level) for some routes
Processing time: 1–2 years
Cost: €250–€500 depending on route
What the move from DC involves: Portugal has become exceptionally popular with Americans, particularly the Algarve and Silver Coast regions. Our comprehensive experience with Portuguese relocations — see our coastal towns guide — means we handle everything from Lisbon to Porto. Shipping takes 8–10 weeks to Portuguese ports with favourable duty-free allowances for new residents. Many families are also interested in Portugal’s IFICI tax regime (Incentivo Fiscal à Investigação Científica e Inovação), which replaced the former NHR programme in January 2024 — verify current eligibility with a Portuguese tax adviser before planning around it.
6. Hungary — Fast-Track Ancestral Route
Eligibility: Descent from Hungarian citizens at grandparent or great-grandparent level with proof of lineage.
Language test: Basic Hungarian language interview required
Processing time: 6–12 months (among the fastest in Europe)
Cost: Approximately $1,000–$2,000 including legal assistance
What the move from DC involves: Budapest attracts both professionals and retirees. Shipping from the DC metro area takes 7–9 weeks routing through Budapest’s efficient customs system.
7. Other Countries with Citizenship by Descent Programmes
| Country | Generation Limit | Language Test | Processing Time | Approx. Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lithuania | Great-grandparent | No | 12–18 months | €100 |
| Greece | Grandparent | Helpful but not always mandatory | 2–3 years | €700–€1,500 |
| Armenia | Ethnic Armenian descent | No | 3–6 months | Minimal |
| Luxembourg | Direct descent | No | 12–18 months | €100–€200 |
| Romania | Great-grandparent | No | 1–2 years | €100–€500 |
| Czech Republic | Czechoslovak descent | No | 12–24 months | €100–€300 |
| Slovakia | Slovak ancestors | No | 12–18 months | €100–€200 |
Full Citizenship by Descent Comparison Table
| Country | Generation Limit | Language Test | Processing Time | Approx. Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ireland | Grandparent | No | 2+ years | €278 |
| Italy | No limit | No | 2–4 years | €300+ |
| Poland | Great-grandparent | No | 1–2 years | $500–$1,000 |
| Germany | Nazi-era descendants | No | 12–18 months | €51+ |
| Portugal | Varies by route | A2 Portuguese | 1–2 years | €250–€500 |
| Hungary | Great-grandparent | Basic required | 6–12 months | $1,000–$2,000 |
| Lithuania | Great-grandparent | No | 12–18 months | €100 |
| Romania | Great-grandparent | No | 1–2 years | €100–€500 |
Moving Abroad with Children: What Families Need to Know
For families with children, securing citizenship by descent before relocating simplifies virtually everything. Your children gain immediate rights to education in public schools, healthcare access, and the ability to travel freely within the EU. From 21+ years of experience as international movers serving the Washington DC area, we have observed that families who complete citizenship applications before their physical move face significantly fewer administrative hurdles on arrival.
When moving abroad with children, timing is everything. School enrolment typically requires proof of residence and citizenship status. We coordinate shipping schedules to ensure household goods arrive before the school year starts, and our comprehensive packing services mean parents can focus on their children’s transition rather than logistics.
International Relocation Cost Breakdown: DC to Europe
Every move is unique, but here is what families typically invest when relocating from the DC area to Europe:
| Move Size | Service Type | Typical Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1-bedroom | LCL (shared container) | $4,000–$7,000 |
| 2–3 bedroom | 20-foot container | $8,000–$15,000 |
| 4+ bedroom | 40-foot container | $10,000–$18,000 |
| Insurance | 1.5–3% of declared value | Variable |
| Vehicle shipping | Container shipping | $1,500–$3,000 |
These ranges include door-to-door service, customs clearance, and delivery to your European destination. Most European relocations from our Maryland base complete within 6–10 weeks.
Why BLUEmove for Your European Relocation?
As an FMC-registered and IAM-certified moving company headquartered in Columbia, Maryland, BLUEmove International Relocation brings 21+ years of expertise to your ancestral homeland move. We understand that relocating to claim your heritage is not just about shipping boxes — it is about bringing your family home to a place that has been waiting for generations.
We serve families across Washington DC, Northern Virginia, Maryland, and the broader East Coast. Our experience with diplomatic and government families means we understand complex documentation requirements, tight timelines, and the importance of nothing going wrong.
We don’t just move boxes. We bring families home.
Frequently Asked Questions About Citizenship by Descent
Can I pursue citizenship by descent in multiple countries simultaneously?
Yes. If you have qualifying ancestry in multiple countries, you can apply to each independently. Many Americans discover they qualify through different grandparents for Irish, Italian, and Polish citizenship simultaneously. Each country processes applications separately and none of those mentioned in this guide prohibit dual citizenship.
Do I need to live in the country to maintain citizenship by descent once granted?
No. Citizenship by descent typically has no residency requirement once granted. Unlike naturalisation through residency, ancestral citizenship recognises your inherent connection through lineage. You can maintain US residence and citizenship while holding your European passport — making it ideal for those who want flexibility to live in Europe part-time.
How far in advance should I contact international movers when planning a relocation after receiving citizenship?
We recommend contacting international movers 8–12 weeks before your desired move date. For European relocations from the DC area, this allows time for a proper survey, competitive estimate, scheduling, packing, and ocean freight transit. BLUEmove’s free estimate process takes 30 minutes and gives you a complete, transparent cost picture with no obligation.
Which citizenship by descent programme is fastest for Americans?
Hungary currently offers the fastest processing at 6–12 months, though it requires a basic language interview. Lithuania, Poland, and Germany typically process in 12–18 months. Ireland and Italy have the longest backlogs at 2–4 years due to high demand from US applicants.
Does pursuing citizenship by descent affect my US citizenship?
No. The United States generally permits dual citizenship and does not require you to renounce your US passport when obtaining foreign citizenship by descent. However, you should verify your specific circumstances with a US immigration attorney, particularly if you hold a US government security clearance.
Ready to Claim Your European Heritage?
BLUEmove International Relocation offers free, no-obligation estimates for families relocating from the DC area to any European destination. Whether you are moving to Ireland, Italy, Poland, Germany, or Portugal, our team has the experience, credentials, and personal commitment to make your transition seamless.
Request your free international moving estimate or call 301-570-3306 to speak with an experienced relocation specialist today.
