Best and easiest ways to get EU citizenship; countries, requirements, more

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Where to pursue residence and work your way towards citizenship? It entirely depends on your individual circumstances. What can you offer and what are you looking for. Except for free movement of goods and people, the EU is very diverse. In terms of everything. And all of that on a fairly tiny piece of land (half size of Brazil).

They are all pretty much the same, unless:

  • You marry a citizen (Italy and Spain)
  • Have ancestry (Croatia, Bulgaria, Spain, Ireland, Italy, Germany, Portugal, Poland, Hungary)
  • Are already a former colony citizen (Spain and Portugal)
  • Served in the army or graduated from the university (both apply only to France)
  • Are super wealthy (Malta, Cyprus, under certain circumstances Spain, Portugal, Bulgaria, Austria)

In Poland, you could simply ask to be a citizen

Under Articles 18 and 19 of the Polish Nationality Act of 2 April 2009 (in Polish), the President of Poland “may grant foreigners Polish citizenship…at the foreigner’s request”. If you really want to become a Polish citizen, you just have to file a request for citizenship (usually done through the wojewoda, or provincial governor, although it is possible to do it personally), and your request will be evaluated accordingly.

Of course, while in theory asking is easy, in practice you’ll need to have a good case for why you want to be a citizen. This is done by demonstrating your ties to Poland (economic, social, etc.), showing knowledge of the Polish language, and having a reason for why you’re asking for citizenship.

There is no difference in the citizenship bestowed by the President and citizenship obtained through the normal process of “recognition” (uznanie, basically naturalization). Once you are granted citizenship, you are accorded all the rights and responsibilities of a Polish citizen, as are your descendants. Because Polish law, including the Constitution, prohibits the revocation of someone’s citizenship, your citizenship will be permanent and it can’t be taken away.

Citizenship in Cyprus

The investment is 2.5million Euro plus tax and fees. 6 months later you and your family will have EU citizenship. No need to know any language or demonstrate ties with Cyprus. The resell value of the property is probably zero, this is why its a very expensive option but for sure the easiest way. Cyrus is not a treaty country to the USA, thus making it more difficult to immigrate to the USA.

Citizenship in Bulgaria

Another best country and far far cheaper is Bulgaria. For a fee of 280,000 Euro and 18 months later, you and your family will be granted EU Citizenship. No language or stay requirements. In addition Bulgaria has a treaty with the United States, which would allow Bulgarian Citizens to reallocate to the US by applying an E2 Visa.

Citizenship in Malta

Another best country is Malta, the fees is 650,000 Euro and 12 to 18 months later you can be an EU Citizen. Malta is not a treaty country to the USA, thus making it more difficult to immigrate to the USA.

OTHERS COUNTRIES AND REQUIREMENTS

  • Austria: A permanent residence in the country during 10 years is required. Dual citizenship is NOT allowed.
  • Belgium: requires 5 years of residence, dual citizenship is allowed.
  • Croatia: 8 years of residence, dual citizenship NOT allowed for naturalisation (unless one has Croatian heritage).
  • Cyprus: 5 accumulated years of residence in the last 8 years period, dual citizenship allowed.
  • Czech Republic: Effectively 10 years of residence, dual citizenship is allowed since 2014.
  • Denmark: 9 years of residence, dual citizenship is allowed.
  • Estonia: 8 years of residence, dual citizenship is NOT allowed.
  • Finland: 5 years of residence, dual citizenship is allowed. 4 years for refugees, spouses, and people with strong ties to Finland. 2 years for Nordic citizens.
  • France: 5 years of residence, dual citizenship is allowed. 4 if married with a French national
  • Germany: 8 years of residence, can be reduced to 7 or even 6 with integration and language courses. Dual citizenship is NOT allowed. [Although it’s allowed for EU countries and there are other exceptions. This might also be subject to change.]
  • Greece: 10 years, dual citizenship is allowed.
  • Hungary: 8 years, dual citizenship is allowed.
  • Iceland: 7 years, dual citizenship is allowed.
  • Ireland: Permanent residence in the country during 5 out of 9 years is required. You must be a resident during the year before applying. Dual citizenship is allowed.
  • Italy: 10 years of residence, dual citizenship is allowed. 2 years of residence if of proven Italian ancestry
  • Latvia: 5 years of permanent residence (typically acquired after 5 years of temporary residence), dual citizenship is allowed since 2013 for EU/NATO member countries and a few others.
  • Lithuania: 10 years of residence are required. Dual citizenship is NOT allowed.
  • Luxembourg: 10 years of residence, dual citizenship is allowed.
  • Malta: 5 years of permanent residence, or 1 year and 1.15 million € [1] (both usually following 5 years of temporary residence, dual citizenship is allowed.
  • Netherlands: 5 years of residence, dual citizenship is NOT allowed.
  • Norway: 7 of the last 10 years, dual citizenship is allowed.
  • Poland: Normally 10 years of residence, dual citizenship is allowed/tolerated.
  • Portugal: 6 years of residence, dual citizenship is allowed.
  • Romania: 5 years of residence, dual citizenship is allowed.
  • Slovakia: 8 years of residence are required. Dual citizenship is NOT allowed any more.
  • Slovenia: 10 years of residence, dual citizenship is NOT allowed (exceptions for Slovenians getting a second one elsewhere).
  • Spain: 10 years of residence are required. This requirement can be reduced to 2 years (but not waived) in case of nationals from a former colony of Spain (it covers a number of Latin American countries and the Philippines). Dual citizenship is allowed for the latter group only.
  • Sweden: 5 years of residence, dual citizenship is allowed.
  • Switzerland: 12 years of residence (time between age 10 and 20 counts twice), dual citizenship is allowed. (10 years starting from Jan 2018).
  • United Kingdom: Effectively 6 years of residence, dual citizenship is allowed.

One general note about dual citizenship in EU countries: Most member state don’t make an EU citizen from a different member state give up their passports. So, in that case you can have dual citizenship even if one of the two countries does not normally allow it. Furthermore, many countries that don’t technically allow dual citizenship do allow it in practice, when it is officially deemed to difficult or impossible to give up your old passport (for example Norway handles it like that)

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