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In an increasingly globalized world, holding citizenship from a developed country offers significant benefits in education, healthcare, employment, and freedom of movement. Many Vietnamese families are exploring countries that apply the 'birthright' principle—where a child can acquire citizenship regardless of the parents’ nationality. This article provides detailed information on 'which countries grant citizenship by birth' and updates on countries implementing this policy.
Before diving into a specific list, it is important to understand two main principles for granting citizenship:
Jus Soli (Latin for 'right of the soil') is a legal principle under which citizenship is determined based on the place of birth. According to this principle, any child born on the territory of a country automatically acquires the citizenship of that country, regardless of the parents’ nationality.
Jus Soli is the legal principle by which citizenship is determined based on the place of birth
In contrast, Jus Sanguinis (Latin for 'right of blood') is the principle whereby citizenship is determined by ancestry or lineage—the child acquires citizenship based on the parents’ nationality, regardless of the place of birth.
Many countries apply both principles under different conditions or implement 'conditional Jus Soli,' meaning a child born in the territory may acquire citizenship but must meet certain additional requirements.
Below is a list of countries that apply unconditional Jus Soli, where children born on the territory automatically acquire citizenship regardless of their parents’ status:
The United States maintains an unconditional Jus Soli policy based on the 14th Amendment of the Constitution. Any child born on U.S. territory (including all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and territories such as Puerto Rico) automatically becomes a U.S. citizen, except for children of foreign diplomats.
The United States continues to maintain an unconditional Jus Soli policy
Benefits:
6th most powerful passport in the world, visa-free travel to over 180 countries
World-class education and healthcare systems
Diverse employment and entrepreneurship opportunities
Family sponsorship once the child turns 21
Canada also applies an unconditional Jus Soli policy. Children born in Canada automatically become Canadian citizens, with the sole exception of children of foreign diplomats.
Benefits:
7th most powerful passport in the world
High-quality, free public education system
Universal healthcare
High quality of life and social security
Multicultural environment friendly to immigrants
Brazil applies an unconditional Jus Soli policy. Any child born on Brazilian territory automatically acquires Brazilian citizenship.
Benefits:
Passport allows visa-free travel to many South American and EU countries
Largest economy in South America
Relatively low cost of living
Ability to sponsor parents in the future
Argentina applies the unconditional Jus Soli principle. Children born in Argentina, regardless of their parents’ residency status, automatically become Argentine citizens.
Argentina applies the unconditional Jus Soli principle
Benefits:
Argentine passport allows visa-free travel to over 150 countries
Free public university education
Free public healthcare system
Easy pathway for parents to acquire citizenship after the child is born
Mexico applies an unconditional Jus Soli policy. Children born in Mexico automatically acquire Mexican citizenship.
Benefits:
Passport allows visa-free travel to many countries
Geographic proximity to the United States
Lower healthcare and education costs compared to the U.S. and Canada
Business opportunities in a growing economy
Uruguay continues to maintain an unconditional Jus Soli policy. Any child born on Uruguayan territory automatically becomes a Uruguayan citizen.
Benefits:
High quality of life
Political stability
Free public education and healthcare
Uruguayan passport allows visa-free travel to many countries
Chile applies the Jus Soli principle with minor restrictions. Children born in Chile generally receive Chilean citizenship, except when parents are tourists or in transit.
Lợi ích:
Most developed economy in South America
Good education system
Political and economic stability
Powerful passport allowing visa-free travel to many countries
Peru applies an unconditional Jus Soli policy. Any child born on Peruvian territory automatically acquires Peruvian citizenship.
Benefits:
Passport allows visa-free travel to South American countries
Low cost of living
Rich cultural heritage
Business opportunities in a growing economy
Jamaica applies the unconditional Jus Soli principle. Children born in Jamaica automatically acquire Jamaican citizenship.
Jamaica applies the unconditional Jus Soli principle
Benefits:
Commonwealth citizenship
English-speaking country
Low childbirth costs
Close to the United States and Canada
Pakistan applies an unconditional Jus Soli policy. Children born in Pakistan automatically acquire Pakistani citizenship.
Benefits:
Low childbirth and living costs
Business and investment opportunities at low costs
Access to a large market with over 220 million people
Many countries implement conditional Jus Soli, meaning children born in the country may acquire citizenship if they meet additional requirements:
Children born in France to foreign parents can acquire French citizenship at age 18 if:
They are living in France at that time
They have lived in France for a minimum period (usually 5 years since age 11)
Benefits:
Powerful passport allowing visa-free travel to over 180 countries
EU membership with freedom to live and work in 27 member states
High-quality education and healthcare system
Strong social security
Since 2000, children born in Germany to foreign parents can acquire German citizenship if at least one parent has legally resided in Germany for at least 8 years and holds permanent residency.
Benefits:
Powerful passport with visa-free travel to over 180 countries
Largest economy in Europe
Free or low-cost higher education
High-quality universal healthcare system
Since 1983, children born in the UK do not automatically acquire British citizenship unless at least one parent is a British citizen or legally settled. However, children born and continuously living in the UK during the first 10 years of life may register for citizenship.
Benefits:
Powerful passport
World-class education system
NHS public healthcare system
Diverse employment opportunities
Australia changed its law in 1986. Currently, children born in Australia only automatically acquire Australian citizenship if at least one parent is an Australian citizen or permanent resident. However, children born and living continuously in Australia for 10 years automatically become citizens at age 10.
Australia changed its law in 1986
Benefits:
Eighth most powerful passport in the world
High quality of life
Good education and healthcare system
Multicultural and friendly environment
New Zealand citizenship law changed in 2006. Currently, children born in New Zealand automatically acquire citizenship only if at least one parent is a citizen or permanent resident.
Benefits:
World-class quality of life
Excellent natural environment
High-quality education system
Political and social stability
Children born in Portugal can acquire Portuguese citizenship if their parents have legally resided in Portugal for at least 2 years (under the law effective from 2020). This is one of the easiest conditional Jus Soli policies in Europe.
Benefits:
EU passport with freedom of movement within the Schengen area
Lower cost of living compared to other EU countries
Mild climate
Golden Visa program for investors
Children born in Spain do not automatically acquire Spanish citizenship. However, after living legally in Spain for 1 year, children may apply for Spanish citizenship.
Children born in Spain do not automatically acquire Spanish citizenship
Benefits:
EU passport with freedom of movement within the Schengen area
High-quality public healthcare system
Affordable cost of living
Good quality of life
For detailed information and personalized advice on citizenship-by-birth programs or investment residency options, contact the experts at Second Citizenship. We are always ready to help you choose the best solution for your family.
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