There are two principles for acquiring citizenship: by right of blood (jus sanguinis) and by right of soil (jus soli).
Currently (since 2007), in European Union countries, citizenship by right of soil is granted to an infant only if both the father and mother have permanent residence in an EU country.
Countries that grant unconditional citizenship to children born on their territory: Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Barbados, Belize, Brazil, Canada, Costa Rica, Cuba, Lesotho, Mexico, Ecuador, Fiji, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Jamaica, El Salvador, Paraguay, Peru, Lesotho, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Tanzania, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, Uruguay, Chile, Ecuador, and Fiji.
Western European countries that grant citizenship to newborns: Belgium, the United Kingdom, Germany, Denmark, Ireland, Spain, Italy, and France.
Let's briefly consider three countries that grant citizenship by right of birth:
Ireland. Children born in this country after 2005 are eligible to become Irish citizens if the father or mother (or both) is an Irish or British citizen; or if the foreign parent has legally resided in Ireland for three of the four years preceding the birth. [The Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 2004]
Italy. In 2014, a referendum was held, amending the law [Law No. 91/92, Article 4, Paragraph 2] on citizenship acquisition. A child of foreign parents born in Italy is eligible to obtain citizenship after three years of legal residence.
Spain. According to the Spanish Civil Code (Codigo Civil), Article 22.1, Paragraph 2 (a): a child born in Spanish territory to foreign parents legalized in the country with a temporary or permanent residence permit may obtain citizenship one year after birth, provided that the child resides in the country during that time.
Interesting fact: a young man born in France to foreign parents who enlists in the French army receives French citizenship.
*Please note that the legislation in each country is constantly changing!
Top Latin American countries for "baby tourism": Chile, Mexico, Argentina, Ecuador.
Chile. Article 10 of the 1980 Constitution of the Republic of Chile stipulates that "every person born in Chile acquires Chilean citizenship at birth."
A Chilean passport grants visa-free entry to 174 countries (including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Japan, and New Zealand). An advantage of Chilean citizenship over US citizenship, for example, is that you are not required to pay taxes to the country of birth for the rest of your life. Children born in Chile have an accelerated path to Spanish citizenship. There are various benefits and quotas for admission to Spanish universities.
What else makes the country attractive?
Chile has a mild maritime climate and a constant supply of fresh, organic fruits and vegetables.
The country has a high safety index.
There is no bureaucracy or corruption.
The country is welcoming to foreigners.
Russians and Ukrainians can enter Chile visa-free for 90 days. Afterwards, their stay can be extended.
The advantage of giving birth in Chile.
The country's healthcare system is among the best in Latin America. In private clinics, doctors speak English (in addition to Spanish).
The European level of healthcare, highly qualified doctors, modern equipment, and affordable prices are decisive factors for many women when choosing Chile as a birthing destination.
Mexico. Article 30 of the Mexican Constitution states that Mexican citizens by birth are those born in Mexico, regardless of their parents' citizenship or immigration status in Mexico. Parents and grandparents can also become citizens through an accelerated program as immediate relatives of a Mexican citizen, immediately receiving permanent residency. After one year, they will be eligible for a Mexican passport through the family reunification program. Mexico allows dual citizenship.
Mexicans can visit 159 countries visa-free, including Australia and all of Europe.
Every Mexican citizen is issued a Mexican Green Card, which entitles them to numerous discounts.
Argentina. Any person born in Argentina acquires Argentine citizenship by birth. [Law 346, Law 23.059, and Decree 3.213/84]
With Argentine citizenship, you can visit 170 countries visa-free, including all EU countries, the United Kingdom (180 days out of every 360), New Zealand, and Japan. A major advantage of giving birth in Argentina, besides free delivery, is that the mother only needs a passport. The only obstacle to obtaining documents for the child may be the requirement to write an application in the official language (Spanish) immediately after birth. If the mother doesn't speak it, the presence of an interpreter is strictly mandatory.
If the child has a father, he must also come to fill out the child's birth certificate. The certificate is issued by the hospital and is free of charge.
Ecuador. Ecuadorian citizenship is regulated by the 2008 Constitution of Ecuador and the 1976 Naturalization Law [Ley de Naturalización de 1976]. Citizenship is granted to a person born in Ecuador. The newborn's mother can be legalized first, then the father. If necessary, this procedure is carried out for other relatives as well.
Healthcare is free in Ecuador, and giving birth here is also completely free (this includes cesarean sections). Paid services are also available.
Particular attention should be paid to the list of required documents for obtaining a certificate that grants the child the right to dual citizenship. An Ecuadorian passport grants visa-free entry to 92 countries.
To choose the "right" country for childbirth and to obtain citizenship, it's necessary to weigh all the advantages and disadvantages. After all, along with numerous freedoms, there will also be responsibilities.
Each case is individual and requires detailed consideration.
Currently (since 2007), in European Union countries, citizenship by right of soil is granted to an infant only if both the father and mother have permanent residence in an EU country.
Countries that grant unconditional citizenship to children born on their territory: Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Barbados, Belize, Brazil, Canada, Costa Rica, Cuba, Lesotho, Mexico, Ecuador, Fiji, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Jamaica, El Salvador, Paraguay, Peru, Lesotho, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Tanzania, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, Uruguay, Chile, Ecuador, and Fiji.
Western European countries that grant citizenship to newborns: Belgium, the United Kingdom, Germany, Denmark, Ireland, Spain, Italy, and France.
Let's briefly consider three countries that grant citizenship by right of birth:
Ireland. Children born in this country after 2005 are eligible to become Irish citizens if the father or mother (or both) is an Irish or British citizen; or if the foreign parent has legally resided in Ireland for three of the four years preceding the birth. [The Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 2004]
Italy. In 2014, a referendum was held, amending the law [Law No. 91/92, Article 4, Paragraph 2] on citizenship acquisition. A child of foreign parents born in Italy is eligible to obtain citizenship after three years of legal residence.
Spain. According to the Spanish Civil Code (Codigo Civil), Article 22.1, Paragraph 2 (a): a child born in Spanish territory to foreign parents legalized in the country with a temporary or permanent residence permit may obtain citizenship one year after birth, provided that the child resides in the country during that time.
Interesting fact: a young man born in France to foreign parents who enlists in the French army receives French citizenship.
*Please note that the legislation in each country is constantly changing!
Top Latin American countries for "baby tourism": Chile, Mexico, Argentina, Ecuador.
Chile. Article 10 of the 1980 Constitution of the Republic of Chile stipulates that "every person born in Chile acquires Chilean citizenship at birth."
A Chilean passport grants visa-free entry to 174 countries (including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Japan, and New Zealand). An advantage of Chilean citizenship over US citizenship, for example, is that you are not required to pay taxes to the country of birth for the rest of your life. Children born in Chile have an accelerated path to Spanish citizenship. There are various benefits and quotas for admission to Spanish universities.
What else makes the country attractive?
Chile has a mild maritime climate and a constant supply of fresh, organic fruits and vegetables.
The country has a high safety index.
There is no bureaucracy or corruption.
The country is welcoming to foreigners.
Russians and Ukrainians can enter Chile visa-free for 90 days. Afterwards, their stay can be extended.
The advantage of giving birth in Chile.
The country's healthcare system is among the best in Latin America. In private clinics, doctors speak English (in addition to Spanish).
The European level of healthcare, highly qualified doctors, modern equipment, and affordable prices are decisive factors for many women when choosing Chile as a birthing destination.
Mexico. Article 30 of the Mexican Constitution states that Mexican citizens by birth are those born in Mexico, regardless of their parents' citizenship or immigration status in Mexico. Parents and grandparents can also become citizens through an accelerated program as immediate relatives of a Mexican citizen, immediately receiving permanent residency. After one year, they will be eligible for a Mexican passport through the family reunification program. Mexico allows dual citizenship.
Mexicans can visit 159 countries visa-free, including Australia and all of Europe.
Every Mexican citizen is issued a Mexican Green Card, which entitles them to numerous discounts.
Argentina. Any person born in Argentina acquires Argentine citizenship by birth. [Law 346, Law 23.059, and Decree 3.213/84]
With Argentine citizenship, you can visit 170 countries visa-free, including all EU countries, the United Kingdom (180 days out of every 360), New Zealand, and Japan. A major advantage of giving birth in Argentina, besides free delivery, is that the mother only needs a passport. The only obstacle to obtaining documents for the child may be the requirement to write an application in the official language (Spanish) immediately after birth. If the mother doesn't speak it, the presence of an interpreter is strictly mandatory.
If the child has a father, he must also come to fill out the child's birth certificate. The certificate is issued by the hospital and is free of charge.
Ecuador. Ecuadorian citizenship is regulated by the 2008 Constitution of Ecuador and the 1976 Naturalization Law [Ley de Naturalización de 1976]. Citizenship is granted to a person born in Ecuador. The newborn's mother can be legalized first, then the father. If necessary, this procedure is carried out for other relatives as well.
Healthcare is free in Ecuador, and giving birth here is also completely free (this includes cesarean sections). Paid services are also available.
Particular attention should be paid to the list of required documents for obtaining a certificate that grants the child the right to dual citizenship. An Ecuadorian passport grants visa-free entry to 92 countries.
To choose the "right" country for childbirth and to obtain citizenship, it's necessary to weigh all the advantages and disadvantages. After all, along with numerous freedoms, there will also be responsibilities.
Each case is individual and requires detailed consideration.
If you're planning to obtain a residence permit, invest in a country's economy, or purchase foreign real estate, we invite you to a consultation with our company. During a personal online meeting, we'll discuss your questions in detail and create a step-by-step action plan for you.