Jus Soli (Right of Soil)
A principle by which citizenship is granted on the basis of birth within a country's territory.
Jus soli (right of soil) is the principle whereby a person acquires a state's citizenship simply by being born on its territory, regardless of their parents' citizenship. The name literally means «right of the land» and emphasises the link between citizenship and place of birth.
The extent to which this principle applies varies: some countries grant citizenship to almost everyone born on their territory, while others do so only if additional conditions are met, such as the lawful residence of at least one parent. The exact rules are set by each country's law and may be revised over time.
Jus soli is usually considered alongside jus sanguinis (right of blood). Most states combine the two approaches, so in practice the grounds for acquiring citizenship are often mixed.
| What it is | Citizenship by the fact of birth on the territory |
| Where it is common | Primarily the countries of the Americas |
| Basis | Place of birth, sometimes with conditions for parents |
| Not to be confused with | Jus sanguinis — citizenship through kinship |
| Role in investment migration | Considered when planning where children are born |
How it works in practice
- In countries with unconditional jus soli, a child acquires citizenship at birth, and the parents complete the paperwork through birth registration.
- In countries with restricted jus soli, the parents' status is additionally checked — for example, whether they reside legally.
- Families holding residence permits clarify in advance what a child born in the country of residence will receive: citizenship, resident status or only a birth record.
- The agent takes jus soli into account when choosing a program country if the citizenship of future children matters to the family.
- Parents' rights are regulated separately: a child's citizenship by itself usually does not change their status.
Common pitfalls
- ! Assuming jus soli applies everywhere: most European countries do not have it in its pure form.
- ! Expecting a child's citizenship to automatically give the parents a right to reside — in most jurisdictions it does not.
- ! Birth-related travel can raise questions during visa applications and at the border if the purpose of the visit is concealed.
- ! Citizenship by birth also brings obligations — for example, tax or military ones — that surface later; they are assessed in advance.
“Jus soli is rarely unconditional: most states also look at the parents' status on the day of birth. And a child's passport does not pull the parents along — that only becomes possible once the child is an adult.”
Sergey Bolotin — Head of LegalFAQ
Does jus soli apply in every country?
No. Some states apply it broadly, others with restrictions or hardly at all, relying mainly on jus sanguinis. The conditions depend on national law.
Does being born in a country grant automatic citizenship?
Not always. In some countries birth alone is enough, while in others additional conditions apply, such as the parents' status or length of residence.
Do the parents receive any status if a child is born in a jus soli country?
As a rule, no: the parents' status is governed by separate rules. Some countries provide residence grounds for the parents of a citizen, but this is not an automatic rule.
We live on a golden visa — will a child born here become a citizen?
It depends on the country: in some, birth to legally resident parents grants citizenship or a claim to it, in others the child receives only resident status. The question is checked against the specific country's law.
Can a child lose citizenship acquired through jus soli?
Such citizenship is usually stable, but some countries require a choice at adulthood in cases of multiple citizenship. Rules differ and are checked per country.
Will the child pass this citizenship on to their own children?
Generally yes — from then on it is transmitted by descent. Certain countries impose conditions, such as ties to the country or residence in it.