We’re American.
But now, we’re also both citizens of the European Union! And no, we didn’t marry into it.
We each claimed dual citizenship through our family ancestry. It wasn’t fast. It wasn’t simple. But it was 100% worth it. And a lot more doable than most people think.
Here’s how it worked for us, what changed in the laws to make us eligible, and how you can start researching your own path to dual citizenship in the EU.
Why We Went After EU Dual Citizenship
We’ve been full-time travelers (aka digital nomads) for years.
As digital nomads, one of the most frustrating parts of traveling through Europe is having to constantly count Schengen days.
The 90-day limit in a 180-day period might sound generous at first, but it quickly becomes a logistical headache. We’ve had to juggle calendars, bounce between non-Schengen countries, and cut trips short just to stay compliant.
It adds an extra layer of stress to what should be a flexible, spontaneous lifestyle. And makes it hard to fully enjoy slower-paced stays in places we love. Honestly, getting EU dual citizenship was one of the only real ways to break free from that countdown.
So holding EU citizenship opens a whole new level of freedom. With it, we can now:
- Live full-time in any of the 27 EU countries
- Work or run businesses without a visa
- Study without paying international tuition
- Travel freely through the EU and Schengen Area
No more 90-day limits. No more visa runs. Just options.
Our Story: Two Paths, Two Countries
Lisa’s Family (Slovakia)
Lisa’s great-grandparents were born in Slovakia. But for years, Slovak citizenship laws didn’t allow descent-based applications from great-grandchildren. That changed in 2022, and suddenly, Lisa was eligible.
Matt’s Family (Germany)
Matt’s family is from Germany. But until 2021, German law didn’t allow citizenship through the maternal line. That year, they updated the rules and Matt finally qualified.
We didn’t realize for years that we were just one policy change away from being eligible. Once we did, the process began.
Paperwork and Patience Are Part of the Process
Getting dual citizenship through ancestry isn’t quick or simple.
We had to gather birth certificates, marriage records, naturalization papers, and other documents going back generations.
Some needed to be translated. Others had to be apostilled (we had never heard this term before, but it means getting a document notarized in a way that’s acceptable internationally).
In some cases, we had to request records from small towns in Europe that don’t exactly have online systems.
It’s not a requirement, but we both hired lawyers to make sure we did everything correctly (more on that below).
The process moves slowly. Very slowly. In Matt’s case, he initially applied for German citizenship in August of 2022. He received approval in July of 2025. Nearly 3 years.
And there were moments when we weren’t even sure it would work. But we kept going, followed every step, and stayed organized.
If you’re considering dual citizenship, know this: paperwork and patience are part of the deal. But the freedom you gain at the end is completely worth it.
How to Check If You Qualify for EU Dual Citizenship
If you’ve ever wondered whether your roots might open doors then it’s worth a real look. Here’s how we started (and what we’d recommend if you’re curious too):
1. Start with Your Family Tree
Begin with the basics:
- Were your parents, grandparents, or great-grandparents born in Europe?
- Do you know where they were born and what citizenship they held?
We literally started with Ancestry.com and went from there. Old birth certificates, immigration records, and naturalization papers are key.
2. Check Current Laws (Not Old Blog Posts)
Citizenship laws change all the time.
- Slovakia updated theirs in 2022
- Germany changed in 2021
- Ireland, Italy, and Poland are currently reviewing or adjusting policies
What wasn’t possible a few years ago might be wide open now. Always check the official government websites or speak to a citizenship-focused law firm. You can also join Facebook groups dedicated to dual citizenship for specific countries.
3. Know It’s Not Just About Where You Were Born
Plenty of European countries offer descent-based citizenship.
Some go as far as great-grandparents. Others require you to speak the language or show cultural ties.
Some examples:
- Ireland and Italy have generous descent laws (although Italy tightened up recently)
- Poland, Lithuania, and Hungary may qualify you through grandparents
- Austria and Portugal offer special paths for Jewish ancestry
4. Consider Golden and Digital Nomad Visas
If you’re not eligible through ancestry, you’re not out of luck.
Countries like Portugal, Spain, and Greece offer residency, and eventual citizenship, through property investment or proof of savings. It’s not cheap, but it’s an option for those wanting a long-term foothold in Europe.
Another option is to look at digital nomad visas. They allow you to stay in an EU (or other) country for a year or more so long as you can prove that your income from outside of that country meets a minimum threshold. Bulgaria and Slovenia are the latest countries to implement digital nomad visas.
5. Look Into Fast-Tracked Options
Some countries offer special pathways for people with:
- Jewish ancestry
- Ties to former territories (e.g., the Austro-Hungarian Empire)
- Political or historical connections (like those displaced during WWII)
If you have Eastern European roots or a unique family history, this is worth researching in detail.
6. Don’t Give Up Too Soon
We weren’t eligible at first.
Matt couldn’t apply through his mom. Lisa’s family line was too far back.
But laws changed. And just like that, the door opened.
So even if you’ve looked before, it’s worth looking again. You might be closer than you think to having dual citizenship.
One Important Note – We Used Lawyers But We are NOT Lawyers!
We’re not immigration experts! Just travelers sharing our story.
Every country has different requirements and timelines, and the process can take months (or years, as it did for us).
But if your family tree connects you to Europe, the benefits of dual citizenship can be life-changing.
Think you might have a path to dual citizenship in another country? We recommend reaching out to a citizenship attorney in that country for a consultation.
In Slovakia, Lisa used Ján Falath at Falath & Partners.
In Germany, Matt used Andreas Conzelmann at vpmk Legal Services.
We were both thrilled with their services. In fact, several of Matt’s family members are following in his footsteps and working with vpmk to get German citizenship for themselves!
Final Thought
This isn’t just about convenience at the airport.
It’s about freedom. Freedom to live where you want. To travel longer. To open new possibilities for work, life, and adventure.
Dual citizenship changed what’s possible for us. And it might do the same for you!
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Comments 3
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Congrats!
Descent-based citizenship is usually very complicated.
Matt was really lucky because his parents were born before 2000. Parents born after 2000 can no longer simply pass on German citizenship based on descent unless the child is also born in Germany (or if they register the birth in DE in the first year which they usually don’t because they don’t know).
I am afraid Austria kind of has to be crossed of the list as well, because while maybe you can get Austrian citizenship based on some ancestry, you’d have to give up any other citizenship since Austria does not allow dual citizenship (exceptions are mostly granted for VIPs like Schwarzenegger). While the trend currently goes in the other direction, a few more European countries do not allow dual citizenship in general. Even Germany only allowed dual citizenship with other European countries until a recent change and only upon special approval with more countries. German citizenship law tends to change with every other federal government, so the privilege that Matt was granted might no longer be available in the future (to new applicants). So anyone who has the chance should act immediately.
Author
Agree! If you someone has the opportunity they should seize it before the laws change – as they are always doing!