Jus solis, which is the central aspect of birthright citizenship, represents the legal right for children born on the territory of a country to be automatically granted citizenship. Unlike the rest of the world, these children can become citizens regardless of the citizenship or immigration status that their parents hold.
One of the most popular countries in the world for its birthright citizenship principle is the United States. This country is ready to terminate this citizenship pathway following the election of its 47th president, Donald Trump. On the first day of his second mandate as President, Trump signed an order to end birthright citizenship in the US, where this principle was established over one century ago.
Following Trump’s efforts to make these changes, many are left wondering how other countries handle citizenship and if birthright citizenship is common elsewhere.
The good news is that there are several countries where children are granted citizenship as soon as they are born and many other countries with great benefits for their citizens that make certain passports as good as the American one. Based on a thorough analysis, in the following list, VisaGuide.World reveals which are those countries.
Canada
One of the most popular countries in the world for citizenship by birth is Canada. Any child born in Canada is granted citizenship, and the Canadian passport is one of the strongest in the world.
Those who obtain Canadian citizenship often do so due to the high quality of life and beneficial social services, both making Canada stand out from the rest.
According to the Passport Index by VisaGuide, the Canadian passport ranks 39th for its strength, granting visa-free entry to its holders in a total of 144 countries.
In light of Trump’s enhancing efforts to end birthright citizenship, Canada is drawing more attention to its jus solis citizenship pathway as the number of Google searches for birthright citizenship in Canada increased by 400 per cent in the last 24 hours.
In addition to Canada and the US, other countries that offer citizenship by birthright are Mexico, Argentina and Brazil. Children born in these respective countries are automatically considered citizens of that country.
New Zealand
The country with the 29th strongest passport in the world, New Zealand, also offers birthright citizenship but only in certain conditions.
A child born in New Zealand can acquire citizenship if one of the parents is a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident.
Holders of New Zealand passports are permitted to visit a total of 141 countries without a visa, while seven others only by presenting a travel authorisation.
Spain
The country with the strongest passport in Europe as of January 2025 offers several alternatives for acquiring citizenship. Children born in Spain can be granted citizenship by birth only if one of the parents is a Spanish citizen.
Proving a long residency in Spain or going through the naturalisation process is also an alternative to obtaining the 3rd strongest passport in the world, which grants visa-free entry to 108 countries and passport-free travel to 43 countries.
Portugal
Similar to New Zealand, Portugal offers citizenship to children born on its soil only if one parent is a Portuguese citizen or both parents are foreigners who have lived in the country for a certain period of time.
The Portuguese passport is the 12th strongest in the world as of January 2025 and offers visa-free entry to a total of 105 countries. In addition, being a Portuguese citizen allows passport-free entry to 43 countries, including the Schengen Area.
United Kingdom
Holding or obtaining a UK passport is quite an advantage. British citizens can enter 142 countries without a visa, making the UK passport rank 38th in the world.
However, the access to this passport is not that simple. The United Kingdom does not offer birthright citizenship, but children born in the country can obtain citizenship if their parents meet certain residency conditions.
More specifically, you are granted British citizenship if you were born in the UK on or after 1983 or you were born when one of your parents was a British citizen or ‘settled’ in the UK.
Germany
Germany does not have unconditional birthright citizenship, but children born in the country can acquire citizenship if one of their parents is a legal resident for a minimum period of eight years or holds permanent residency.
German passport is ranked 11th in the world for granting visa-free entry to most countries – a total of 105 of them. In addition, 43 countries in the world allow passport-free entry to German citizens. A total of 27 countries are known as the Schengen Area, a part of which also is Germany.
France
Birthright citizenship in France is partially practised. A child born in France to foreign parents can apply for citizenship after becoming an adult and living in the country for five years, indicating you should have lived in France for five years after turning 18 and applying for citizenship.
Ranking as the eighth strongest passport in the world, French passports grant visa-free entry to 104 countries, passport-free entry to 46 countries and entry with an eTA to 12 countries.
Italy
Unlike other countries in this list, Italy follows the jus sanguinis (right of blood), meaning citizenship is typically passed through parents, not by birth in the country. Children born in Italy can apply for Italian citizenship if at least one parent is an Italian citizen or if the child has lived in Italy until they turned 18.
The exquisite beauty of Italy is only one of many things that this country has to offer. Those who intend to become Italian citizens will have the advantage of travelling visa-free to 104 countries. Without having to present a passport, Italian citizens can enter a total of 46 countries, while with an eTA can enter a total of 12 countries.
Luxembourg
Like Italy, Luxembourg also follows the jus sanguinis principle, granting citizenship to children born in the country only if one of their parents is a Luxembourg citizen. In addition, children born in this country can obtain citizenship if they live in Luxembourg from the age of 12 to 18, indicating they lived at least five years in the country before coming of age.
As per the benefits that the Luxembourg passport brings, similar to other individuals holding citizenship in any Schengen state, holding Luxembourg citizenship grants you passport-free entry to 43 countries in addition to 105 countries that you can enter without a visa.
Ireland
Ireland used to grant automatic birthright citizenship, but the constitution was amended in 2004 to restrict this. A child born in Ireland can only acquire Irish citizenship if at least one parent is an Irish citizen or a legal resident for at least three years prior to the child’s birth.