Australian citizens with European ancestral heritage looking to reconnect to their “home country” are being encouraged to apply for new passports as fallout continues over a string of new UK passport rule changes.
With more than one million British-born citizens living in Australia and around one third of the population identifying as having English ancestry, recent UK passport rule changes have caused major headaches for Australians with dual citizenship.
From 26 February, British and Irish dual citizens will no longer be able to enter the UK using only a non-UK or Irish passport – such as an Australian passport – even if they are legally British citizens.
Meanwhile, acquiring citizenship by descent of other European countries offers numerous benefits in the EU, including the ability to hold multiple citizenships, expanded travel and work options, access to education and healthcare systems, inheritance and property rights, and voting and political participation rights in the country of acquired citizenship.
While several European countries offer citizenship by descent, Greece’s process is straightforward with benefits including several tax incentives designed to attract new residents, including a 7 per cent flat tax rate for eligible retirees on all foreign-sourced income.
Italy allows citizenship jus sanguinis or “right of blood” but can be more complex as it has stricter municipal requirements.
Ireland offers ancestry-based citizenship, but limits eligibility to those with a parent or grandparent born there.
Portugal and Spain mostly require residency or investment-based pathways rather than lineage.
For Italian-Australians
Those who successfully acquire Italian citizenship by descent gain the right to live, work, and study anywhere within the European Union.
While Italy applies the principle of jus sanguinis under a revised version of Italian law, Italian citizenship is only transmitted from parent to child for a maximum of two generations, on the condition that the Italian parent has never renounced Italian citizenship or become naturalised while the direct descendant was a minor. Those born abroad must also meet at least one of the following conditions:
- They are entitled exclusively to Italian citizenship (namely they do not have and cannot acquire any citizenship other than Italian);
- They have a parent (including an adoptive parent) or a grandparent who, at the time of the applicant’s birth — or at the time of their ancestor’s death — held exclusively Italian citizenship;
- They have an Italian parent (including an adoptive parent) who resided in Italy for at least two consecutive years after acquiring Italian citizenship and before the birth or adoption of the applicant.
For Greek-Australians
Greek nationality law also follows the jus sanguinis principle where citizenship is passed through family lineage rather than place of birth.
According to the Hellenic Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), anyone who can prove descent from a Greek citizen – whether through parents, grandparents, or even great-grandparents – may be eligible to claim citizenship. If at least one of your parents was a Greek citizen at the time of your birth, you are typically considered Greek automatically. However, even if your link goes back further, you can still apply for citizenship recognition by documenting your lineage and proving that your ancestor was officially registered in a Greek municipality (dimotologio).
In a new collaboration with the General Secretariat for Citizenship in Greece, Neos Kosmos will begin publishing an information series for Greeks of the Diaspora on issues related to the acquisition of Greek citizenship.
Neos Kosmos will offer a hosted Q&A in its newspaper and website entitled: Q&A with the General Secretariat for Citizenship
Through this initiative, specialist executives of the General Secretariat for Citizenship in Greece will answer questions concerning citizenship matters including:
- The procedures for obtaining Greek citizenship
- The required supporting documents
- Deadlines, competent services and practical steps
- Special cases of second and third generation Greeks
The first column will be published in Greek in the Neos Kosmos print edition tomorrow, Thursday, 5 February 5, and in English on Saturday, 7 February.
Ongoing information for dual citizens
The Australian Travel Industry Association (ATIA) has also applauded the professionalism of its members in managing customer impacts arising from low traveller awareness of upcoming changes to UK entry requirements for dual citizens.
ATIA has worked directly with the UK Home Office, Consular Representatives and VisitBritain, and reviewed formal advice from the British High Commission in Canberra to cut through confusion and give members confidence in the guidance they share with travellers.
“ATIA’s role is to be there for our members when issues like this arise, ensuring we have the right conversations at the highest levels and then turning that into clear, practical guidance travel businesses can rely on,” ATIA CEO Dean Long said.
“We know this situation has created challenges for travel businesses, particularly where traveller awareness has lagged behind policy changes.”
“I want to thank our members for the professionalism they’ve shown in managing these conversations and for the care they continue to take in supporting travellers while clarity continues to emerge.”
Ongoing gaps in consumer awareness have placed added pressure on frontline travel teams, with members navigating complex and, at times, uncertain customer conversations. ATIA acknowledged the care and professionalism shown by members as clarity around the changes continued to emerge.
To support members on the ground, ATIA has published a dedicated guidance page on the ATIA website, bringing together what travel businesses need to know, practical FAQs, and official links that can be shared directly with customers. The guidance will continue to be updated as further information becomes available.
Members are encouraged to refer to the ATIA Member Portal for the most current guidance HERE.
