Israeli citizenship by descent, also known as “citizenship by lineage” or “Jewish descent citizenship,” is a legal pathway to Israeli citizenship for anyone who has at least one Jewish grandparent. It honors Jewish people’s historical ties to Israel and permits individuals who can prove their Jewish ancestry to become citizens of the Jewish state. This type of citizenship stems from the statute of Return, a significant Israeli statute passed in 1950.
Under the Law of Return, individuals are eligible for Israeli citizenship through various means. These include being married to an Israeli citizen, having at least one grandparent who is a Jew, or having undergone a valid conversion to Judaism according to accepted practices.
A person is deemed Jewish under Jewish law if they were born to a Jewish mother or successfully converted to Judaism.
If you can demonstrate your Jewish ancestry in accordance with the requirements specified in the Law of Return, you may be qualified to apply for Israeli citizenship.
The following are the requirements for Israeli citizenship by descent:
You will normally need to acquire the following documentation to submit an application for Israeli citizenship through descent:
Dual citizenship is recognized and permitted in Israel, therefore you can be a citizen of both Israel and another nation at the same time. When acquiring Israeli citizenship, people are not required to relinquish their previous citizenship.
Yes, if you have at least one Jewish grandparent, you may be eligible for Israeli citizenship by descent.
No, you do not need to be born in Israel. Israeli citizenship by descent is available to individuals born outside of Israel if they meet the criteria.
Yes, according to Israeli law, if your father is Jewish, you are considered Jewish and may be eligible for Israeli citizenship by descent
You may need to provide documents such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, or other legal documents that establish your Jewish descent through your parents or grandparents. Conversion certificates may be required if applicable.
Yes, you can still be eligible for Israeli citizenship by descent even if your Jewish parent has passed away. You will need to provide appropriate documentation to establish your Jewish descent.
Yes, Israel recognizes and allows for dual citizenship. You can generally maintain your existing citizenship(s) while acquiring Israeli citizenship.