jus sanguinis
noun
jus san·gui·nis
ˈyüs-ˈsäŋ-gwə-nəs 
: a rule that a child's citizenship is determined by the child's parents' citizenship compare birthright citizenship, jus soli
Examples of jus sanguinis in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The law, which was introduced in March by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s right-wing government and came into force on Tuesday, now restricts the right to citizenship under jus sanguinis, or descendent bloodline, to people whose parents or grandparents were Italian.
—
Barbie Latza Nadeau, CNN Money, 21 May 2025
In Europe, many countries — for example, Italy — do not have birthright citizenship but rather citizenship based on ancestry (jus sanguinis).
—Thomas Wenski, Sun Sentinel, 20 May 2025
In contrast, most European countries have moved toward jus sanguinis, which bases citizenship on parentage rather than birthplace.
—Tahar Rajab, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 May 2025
Between 2014 and 2024, the number of Italians registered overseas rose by 40 percent, from 4.6 to 6.4 million, most through jus sanguinis claims.
—Erica Firpo, AFAR Media, 2 May 2025
This is different from jus sanguinis citizenship, under which only people whose parents are nationals of a certain country are granted citizenship.
—Gaby Del Valle, The Verge, 21 Jan. 2025
In the Americas, only Chile and Colombia do not grant birthright citizenship, relying instead on jus sanguinis or citizenship based on ancestry rather than place of birth.
—Justin Gest, Newsweek, 21 Jan. 2025
In Germany, for example, a strict adherence to the principle of jus sanguinis (the right of blood), which allocates citizenship based on bloodlines, left the country with a threat to its status as a liberal democracy in the 1980s.
—Marcela Valdes, New York Times, 18 Jan. 2025
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Barbie Latza Nadeau, CNN Money, 21 May 2025
In Europe, many countries — for example, Italy — do not have birthright citizenship but rather citizenship based on ancestry (jus sanguinis).
—Thomas Wenski, Sun Sentinel, 20 May 2025
In contrast, most European countries have moved toward jus sanguinis, which bases citizenship on parentage rather than birthplace.
—Tahar Rajab, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 May 2025
Between 2014 and 2024, the number of Italians registered overseas rose by 40 percent, from 4.6 to 6.4 million, most through jus sanguinis claims.
—Erica Firpo, AFAR Media, 2 May 2025
This is different from jus sanguinis citizenship, under which only people whose parents are nationals of a certain country are granted citizenship.
—Gaby Del Valle, The Verge, 21 Jan. 2025
In the Americas, only Chile and Colombia do not grant birthright citizenship, relying instead on jus sanguinis or citizenship based on ancestry rather than place of birth.
—Justin Gest, Newsweek, 21 Jan. 2025
In Germany, for example, a strict adherence to the principle of jus sanguinis (the right of blood), which allocates citizenship based on bloodlines, left the country with a threat to its status as a liberal democracy in the 1980s.
—Marcela Valdes, New York Times, 18 Jan. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Jus sanguinis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/jus%20sanguinis. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLegal Definition
jus sanguinis
noun
jus san·gui·nis
-ˈsaŋ-gwi-nis, -ˈsäŋ-gwē-ˌnēs
: a rule of law that a child's citizenship is determined by that of his or her parents
Etymology
Latin, right of blood
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