Repatriation in the countries of Europe (more precisely, the European Union) is the restoration of civil rights for those who lost them due to force majeure. The right to a passport is also available to direct descendants of former citizens of the state, usually up to and including great-grandchildren. Once you become a citizen, you get absolutely all the rights of native residents of the country, including conducting labor and commercial activities in the EU, as well as visa-free travel around the world.

EU citizenship is granted to repatriates under a simplified procedure, i.e., there are no requirements for prior residence in the country with a residence permit (as in the case of naturalization), passing integration exams and demonstrating financial security. It is enough to document that you have or have had ancestors who have/had ethnic or territorial belonging to the chosen state or nation.

Relocation Compass international law specialists will help you to obtain a European passport under a simplified program in the shortest possible time. Contact us for a free consultation to find out how you can become an EU citizen as early as 2025.

What is repatriation

In legal terms, repatriation (from repatriare “to return to one’s homeland”) is the process of obtaining a passport from a country to which you or your ancestors are directly related. For example, your ascendant was forced to leave Europe because of oppression by a political party or lost his or her passport due to a change in borders. In such a case, he and his descendants up to the 3-4th degree of kinship can restore the citizenship lost against their will in a simplified procedure.

Active political and migration processes that took place in the countries of Europe during the XIX-XX centuries led to mass settlement of peoples of different nationalities across the continent. This was facilitated, in particular, by the collapse of the Ottoman Empire, the First and Second World Wars, changes in the territories of various states, such as Greece and Romania. Migration was also strongly influenced by the National Socialist movement in Germany.

Many countries today seek to restore historical justice, so they provide for the possibility for forced emigrants and their descendants to obtain an EU passport by origin. Usually, the relevant norms are enshrined in the law “On Citizenship” or a separate legal act “On Repatriates”. The conditions and requirements for the applicant vary from state to state, but they are all more loyal than in the case of standard naturalization.

Advantages of obtaining EU citizenship by repatriation

The main advantage of obtaining an EU passport through the simplified repatriation procedure is the restoration of citizenship with minimal requirements without a long wait and large capital investments. Also among the advantages are:

• the possibility to move anywhere in the European Union for an unlimited period of time together with family members (spouse and children);
• the right to visa-free travel to more than 160 world countries, including popular countries in North America and Asia;
• access to new labor and commercial markets, including representation of business interests outside the EU;
• the opportunity to keep the previous passport in the home country, which is not always available during the naturalization procedure;
• the right to support the EU country within its borders and abroad (through the embassy), including protection from extradition and financial assistance to returnees;
• access to participation in grant and scholarship programs of the European Union, cooperation with foreign foundations and investors;
• access to general civil privileges such as banking services on favorable terms or access to qualified medical assistance;
• the prospect of passing on the status of a citizen to children and grandchildren, regardless of their country of residence.

General conditions and requirements for repatriation

The basic requirement for repatriates in EU countries is documentary proof of their belonging to the state or its people. Usually ethnic/territorial affiliation is confirmed by birth certificates in the ascending line, e.g., applicant-mother/father-grandparents. In case of a change of surname, marriage/divorce documents are added. Sometimes countries accept other evidence as well, as an option – archive extracts, military books, excerpts from church books with relevant records.

Like other applicants for European citizenship (or rather, EU countries), you must demonstrate law-abiding behavior. Usually, it is checked that you have no criminal record for serious crimes, including those abroad. Also, you must not discredit the chosen state or be a member of prohibited organizations (e.g., terrorist organizations), which is a threat to national security.

Additional requirements vary from state to state. You may need to pass a language test, pass a socio-cultural exam, and less often – to prove a source of livelihood. Some countries, such as Poland, grant citizenship by roots to those who have previously lived in the republic from 12 months with permanent residence.

Procedure for obtaining citizenship by roots

1. Formation of the repatriate’s file.
   At the first stage, it is necessary to collect a package of documents, many of which may be lost (for example, the necessary birth certificate). In this case, they will need to be sought through archival authorities, which is usually done by migration specialists.
2. Making an appointment with an authorized body.
   Requests from repatriates are accepted by consulates/embassies abroad, but it is better to submit the application directly in the chosen country, which often speeds up its consideration. It is necessary to make an appointment in advance (online or by phone), if required – to open an entry visa.
3. Submitting a request and passing the interview.
   On the appointed day you visit the authorized body (usually a representative office of the Ministry of Internal Affairs or the Ministry of Justice), provide a dossier, pay an administrative fee, and fill out an application. Some countries provide for a brief interview with repatriates (an interpreter may be present).
4. Waiting for the decision and re-visit the public body.
   On average, an application for repatriation to the EU is considered by the authorities for 6-12 months, depending on the laws of the particular country and the workload of the authorized bodies. If your request is approved, you will be informed by letter, phone call or SMS, after which you will need to make a second appointment.
5. Obtaining the status of a citizen and passport issuance.
   The repatriation procedure is completed by visiting the authority again and receiving a citizenship document. In some countries it is also necessary to take an oath. After that you can proceed to the execution of national documents.

Required documents

To obtain EU citizenship under the simplified procedure you will need:

• an application form filled out in person in the appropriate language;
• a valid identity document (usually a passport) with copies of the completed pages;
• metric documents (birth, marriage or divorce) – yours and relatives in the ascending line;
• certificate of absence of criminal record from the country of permanent residence;
• receipt of the administrative fee for processing the request;
• a recent 35 x 45 mm color photo.

If the documents are in a foreign language, they must be officially translated and certified. In addition, a language certificate or proof of income may be required for the dossier, depending on the requirements of the particular state.

Overview of repatriation programs in EU countries

The practice of migration specialists demonstrates that the correct search of roots for EU citizenship turns out to be productive for the majority of those who wish to do so. The main thing is to conduct a competent legal check of documents and ancestry. Since mass migration has affected most of the countries of Eastern, Southern and Central Europe, many people may find out about their foreign origin even if they did not suspect it before.

Check your chances of qualifying for a repatriation program by scheduling a free consultation with a Relocation Compass international law specialist.

Many European countries are striving to return their descendants to their homeland. This is clearly demonstrated by the current popular repatriation programs, about which you can learn more from the table below.

The most loyal conditions of repatriation are provided in Romania, Slovenia and Bulgaria. It was in these states that numerous political and territorial changes took place at the end of the XIX century and the first half of the XX century.

Repatriation to Romania

Until 1940, Romania included lands that today belong to Bulgaria, Hungary, Ukraine and Moldova. The change of territorial boundaries caused the residents of the respective regions to lose their citizenship. Also, after World War II, Romanians were forcibly sent to the Soviet Union for reconstruction work. These factors explain why today roots for repatriation to Romania can be found in people from different parts of the world.

In order to obtain a Romanian passport by repatriation, you only need to prove your belonging to the country (within the pre-1940 borders). Applications are accepted from descendants up to and including the third generation (great-grandchildren). The procedure does not require you to have previously resided in the state, pass an integration exam, provide information on your income, or relinquish your previous passport. It takes up to 14 months to obtain Romanian citizenship if accompanied by specialized specialists.

Repatriation to Slovenia

Important for Slovenia historical events that influenced the migration of the population are the collapse of Austria-Hungary, the First World War, the formation and dissolution of Yugoslavia, as well as the national ten-day war in 1991. Today, the European state seeks to return the former residents and their descendants to their homeland, for which it allows to quickly obtain a local passport – in the period from 4 months (with the assistance of lawyers of international law). Repatriates are subject to a minimum of requirements, in addition, it is possible to retain the current citizenship.

Repatriation to Bulgaria

Active migration processes in Bulgaria were connected first with the collapse of the Ottoman Empire, later with the Balkan and World War I. Local residents were persecuted and forcibly relocated or they themselves left their homeland due to military actions. Now the country allows those with local roots and their descendants up to their great-grandchildren to regain their lost citizenship.

When repatriating to Bulgaria, unlike naturalization, you do not have to give up your passport in your home country. You are also exempted from taking a language test, demonstrating financial security and living in the country before or after citizenship. It is enough to prove your origins through documentation, pass a brief interview and have no criminal record. With the support of immigration specialists, it takes up to 12 months to process a passport here.

Cost of obtaining a passport by repatriation

Repatriation is the most affordable European passport application program. Usually, you only need to pay a government fee between 50-150 EUR for processing the request. Some countries accept applications from repatriates for free. You also need to consider the costs associated with the issuance of national documents – ID-card of EU citizen and passport for traveling abroad.

Additionally, you pay for translation, certification, apostilization (if applicable) of foreign documents, such as civil status certificates. Also included in the costs is the assistance of migration specialists. In any case, repatriation will cost you much cheaper than naturalization in the European Union.

Dual citizenship in the EU

Repatriates in the European Union can leave their native passport behind when applying for a local document. In this case, for each of the countries you will be considered only your own citizen with a corresponding list of rights and privileges. Within “yours” countries you should use a local passport, abroad – any passport. In a number of EU countries there are also bilateral treaties on the recognition of dual citizenship. Most of them are concluded between France/Spain and states in Africa/South America (former colonies).

Possible difficulties and how to overcome them

The main difficulty for repatriates is to find proof of their belonging to the EU countries. Usually, the documents of ancestors are lost or are not in a suitable condition for presentation. Difficulties arise at the stage of correct formation of the file, when it is necessary to provide for many nuances, including correct translation with notarization and apostille.

Many immigrants experience difficulties in communicating with the authorities, as the interview is usually conducted in the national language of the respective EU country. It can also be difficult to understand the legal requirements and legal formalities of different countries on their own. If you submit an incorrect dossier or insufficient documents, you may be refused an EU passport.

To make repatriation to the EU easy, it is worth using the help of Relocation Compass specialists. International lawyers have extensive professional experience, know the nuances of the correct formation of the dossier and are ready to provide you with support at every stage of the immigration procedure, which guarantees a successful result in obtaining European citizenship.

Assistance in passport registration on the basis of repatriation

According to immigrants, it is easiest to obtain a second citizenship in Romania, Slovenia and Bulgaria. Local roots with a competent background check can be found in many foreigners, regardless of their current place of residence. The list of conditions and requirements to the applicant in these countries is minimal. Repatriates also note the fast procedure, which, with the support of specialists, takes up to a year on average. Most immigrants recommend to prepare thoroughly for each stage of the process in order not to make mistakes and not to face rejection.

Many repatriates advise to go through the procedure of citizenship in the EU together with specialized lawyers who understand the peculiarities of European legislation. Specialists can be delegated most of the tasks (including preparation of documents), so that you do not have to go into the details of the immigration process on your own. Relocation Compass lawyers will conduct a personal analysis of your background, based on which they will recommend the best program in one of the EU countries for quick and easy obtaining a second passport. You can find out more details during a free consultation.