National teams · guide
Path via passport
A second passport can matter twice. It can make you eligible for a national team, and in many leagues it can change whether you count as an "import". Here is how heritage citizenship works in a few countries, with official government links.
Two separate questions
- Do you hold the nationality? Only the issuing government decides that. Use the official links below.
- Does FIBA treat you as a regular national? That depends on when you got the passport and your links to the country. A passport first obtained as an adult often makes you the team's one Restricted Player. See the eligibility rules.
Club import rules are separate again: EU passports matter in many European leagues (see each league's import rule on its league page).
Heritage routes (general information)
Ireland
Foreign Births Register: if one of your grandparents was born on the island of Ireland (or your parent was an Irish citizen when you were born), you can register and become an Irish citizen. The Department of Foreign Affairs lists fees (€278 for adults) and processing times of about 9–12 months. Official government page
National team: Ireland · FIBA men #85, women #79
Italy
Citizenship by descent (iure sanguinis) was narrowed by Law 74/2025, in force 24 May 2025. People born abroad with another citizenship now generally qualify only if a parent or grandparent held only Italian citizenship, or a parent lived in Italy for 2 years before the birth. Applications made before 27 March 2025 follow the old rules. Official government page
National team: Italy · FIBA men #15, women #13
Poland
Confirmation of Polish citizenship: descendants of Polish citizens may already hold citizenship. You apply to a provincial governor (through a consulate if you live abroad) with ancestors' records. Lost citizenship can sometimes be restored. Official government page
National team: Poland · FIBA men #19, women #45
Portugal
Grandchildren of an original Portuguese citizen can apply by declaration if they can show a link to the community (Portuguese language knowledge). A 2026 law (Lei Orgânica 1/2026, in force 19 May 2026) changed several routes and extended one to great-grandchildren. Check which rules apply to you. Official government page
National team: Portugal · FIBA men #44, women #40
Lithuania
Citizenship reinstatement: descendants (children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren) of people who held Lithuanian citizenship before 15 June 1940 can apply through the Migration Department's MIGRIS system. Official government page
National team: Lithuania · FIBA men #10, women #34
Greece
If a parent was Greek when you were born, you are generally Greek by descent but must be registered in a municipal register (through a consulate abroad). For more distant ancestry, the Ministry of Interior runs separate naturalisation routes for people of Greek origin (omogeneis). Official government page
National team: Greece · FIBA men #13, women #28
Before you spend money
- Collect certified civil records (births, marriages, naturalisation records) for each generation first. That is usually the slow part.
- Be wary of services that "guarantee" a passport or a national-team spot. Governments and federations decide; agents can't.
- Nationality law changes often (Italy 2025, Portugal 2026). Check the official page on the day you apply.