Naturalization in the European Union is the process of obtaining an EU citizenship passport based on your voluntary desire. Usually, citizenship is granted after legal residence in the territory of the chosen country for 5-10 years and fulfillment of related requirements. With an EU passport you get many rights and privileges: visa-free travel almost all over the world, new prospects for business development or career growth. Many states recognize multiple citizenship, which allows you to retain your current legal status in your home country.

What is naturalization

In international law, “naturalization” is the acquisition by a foreigner of the rights of citizenship (nationality) of the chosen state. Under this procedure, a passport is issued to those who have legally resided in the country for a certain period of time with a residence permit (permanent and/or temporary). In the European Union, the period of sedentary (residence) for naturalization is generally between 5 and 10 years. In addition to fulfilling the norms for residence with a residence permit, it is usually necessary to pass integration and language exams, provide information on income and address registration in the state, prove one’s law-abidingness.

In addition to naturalization on general grounds, it is possible to obtain citizenship of an EU country in a simplified procedure. Usually, it is available to spouses of local passport holders, stateless persons, recognized refugees and those who have special merits to the state. The naturalization period in such cases is sometimes reduced to 3-5 years (on average) and the basic requirements for the applicant are not applied (fully or partially).

In some countries of the European Union there are other simplified programs, when participating in which, with the support of Relocation Compass specialized lawyers, it is possible to obtain citizenship in the period from 4 to 14 months. In this case, you do not need to live in the state before or after obtaining a passport, take exams or demonstrate financial security. To learn more, sign up for a free legal consultation.

Advantages and disadvantages of naturalization in the EU

The pros of citizenship in Europe (EU countries) through the naturalization procedure include the availability of the program for absolutely all foreigners, even those who have no ethnic affiliation to the chosen state. Also among the advantages are:

• obtaining a strong passport with the right to visit more than 160 countries without a visa;
• the opportunity to take your business to an international level and/or get a highly paid job in the EU countries;
• the right to immigrate permanently anywhere in the European Union together with close relatives;
• gradual integration into a new society, learning a foreign language in an appropriate environment for more comfortable adaptation abroad;
• access to European health care and education systems, including training and treatment at the expense of the state (fully or partially);
• the right to inherit the status of a citizen to one’s descendants, as well as to use a second passport as a “backup” (if provided for by law);
• acquisition of general civil privileges such as protection by the state in the country and abroad, participation in EU grant programs and not only.

The disadvantages of obtaining a European passport by naturalization include long residence in the country, the need to find a reason to move and keep it until obtaining a permanent residence permit. Also, not everyone is ready to learn a foreign language and renounce the former citizenship, if required.

Grounds for obtaining EU citizenship by naturalization

To start the naturalization procedure in the countries of the European Union, you need to find a reason to move and obtain a temporary residence permit. You should choose immigration types of residence permit with the right to subsequent permanent residence permit and citizenship. Reasons for short-term stay (e.g., advanced training or seasonal work) do not allow you to apply for naturalization and residence on their basis usually does not count towards the total period of residence.

Popular grounds for opening a residence permit (with the prospect of acquiring an EU passport later on) include:

• Going to work.
  The right of residence in the European Union is granted to those who conclude an employment agreement with a local employer. This also applies to employees who transfer to a branch of an international company from abroad. Representatives of scarce professions and highly qualified specialists are given priority for employment.
• Starting a business.
  EU countries support the relocation of foreign entrepreneurs who want to conduct business activities on the territory of the state. Usually, you need to have a promising business plan, finances for its implementation (or sponsorship), successful experience in the profile or relevant education. To extend your residence permit, you may be required to provide information on the financial success of the company.
• Establishing a startup.
  Startups offering an innovative project useful for the economy of the chosen country can immigrate to Europe with the prospect of EU citizenship. You can sponsor the idea yourself or get help from special venture funds. The planned startup must be related to the realization of new ideas and technologies.
• Contribution to the EU economy.
  The right to reside in Europe can be obtained for large-scale investments (on average – from 250 thousand EUR, depending on the country). Investments may be made in shares, securities, units of private and state-owned enterprises, fixed-term debt obligations to a local bank, national bonds and similar assets. In some countries it is possible to buy residential and/or commercial real estate.
• Family reasons.
  Moving to Europe is available to those who have close relatives here with a local passport, permanent residence permit or immigration-type residence permit. Family reunification is approved for legal and de facto spouses, minor and unmarried children. Other relatives are also granted residence permits on an individual basis, e.g., if they are dependents of the host party.
• Education.
  It is possible to open a European residence permit when enrolling in a local accredited university. A residence permit is also granted within the framework of international student exchange programs. Usually, this type of residency does not allow you to apply for citizenship and counts for only 50% of your residency. Many university graduates obtain a residence permit to find a job or start a business, and after employment they re-register their residence permit.
• Professional activities.
  The prospect of obtaining citizenship in the EU countries by naturalization is available to those who are self-employed. These include creative and sporting professions as well as scientific researchers. In any case, the right to practice a profession must be documented, e.g., with an educational diploma.
• Financial independence.
  Some European states allow those who support themselves without applying for social support to move and stay in the country. The funds must come from abroad, e.g., as a salary from remote work or passive income from shares, securities, deposits. These types of residency do not allow you to work and do business in Europe until you obtain a permanent residence permit.
• Registration of refugee status.
  Those who have been forced to leave their native country and cannot return for objective reasons can naturalize in Europe. For example, immigrants from the Middle East, where are active hostilities, often become refugees. The competent authorities study each application on a personal basis, including assessing its justification.

Conditions and requirements for obtaining EU citizenship by naturalization

The main condition for naturalization and passport issuance in European countries (more precisely, the EU) is compliance with the period of residency established by local legislation. Usually, it is allowed to leave the state for up to six months in a row, so that the period of residence is counted. You will also need to:

• successfully pass a national language test (the standard expected level is B1 according to the Common European Framework of Reference (CERF));
• demonstrate integration into the local society, understanding of the socio-cultural, historical and political peculiarities of the state;
• have a permanent and legal source of livelihood, health insurance and a place to live in the country (including rented accommodation);
• be loyal to the state and not pose a threat to national security or public health;
• provide information about the absence of criminal records in your home country and in other states where you have previously resided on a permanent basis.

In some European Union countries (e.g., Austria or Estonia) it is a prerequisite for naturalization to renounce your former citizenship before or after the issuance of a local passport. Sometimes states (such as Germany) require information on tax payments to prove that you have not benefited from social financial support during your residence. Most often the naturalization procedure is completed by obligatory participation in a solemn oath ceremony.

Procedure for naturalization in the European Union

Usually, obtaining European Union citizenship by naturalized foreigners consists of a number of steps that you need to go through sequentially:

1. Selection of a suitable reason for moving to Europe.
   You choose on your own or with the help of migration specialists the reason for which you can obtain a European residence permit, check the list of conditions for granting residency and prepare a corresponding dossier.
2. Issuance of a long-term entry visa.
   Most often, potential immigrants are required to obtain a D-category visa at the diplomatic mission of the selected EU country. To do this, you must personally submit the documents, pay an administrative fee, wait for a decision and pick up a passport with a visa sticker or stamp.
3. Moving and obtaining a residence permit.
   After arriving in Europe, you register at your place of residence, then visit the migration authority and request a temporary resident card. Usually, the production of a residence permit requires you to be fingerprinted and have a digital photo taken. Later, you will be issued a ready-made card, which is valid for an average of 1 to 3 years.
4. Residence with residence permit and registration of a permanent residence.
   Before your temporary residence card in Europe expires, you will need to apply to the migration service for its extension. This requires that the reason to live in the country is still valid. After 5 years of permanent residence, you can apply for permanent residence status. Usually, you need to fulfill related requirements, such as passing a language exam or providing income information.
5. Permanent residence and citizenship.
   It takes up to 5 years from the time the permanent resident card is opened until the naturalization deadline is met, depending on the European country chosen. After meeting the residency standards, you undergo a social integration check, prepare your documents and apply for citizenship. If your request is approved, you are issued an EU passport.

Terms of naturalization in EU countries

The timeframe for naturalization procedure depends on the specific EU country. In some countries it happens relatively quickly (about 5 years after moving, for example, in Belgium and Portugal), while in other countries (such as Austria or Latvia) you need to live at least ten years before applying for citizenship. The timeline is also affected by your status, e.g., if you are married to a local passport holder it is sometimes possible to naturalize on an accelerated basis.

According to official Eurostat data, among EU countries the highest naturalization rate is observed in Sweden, the Netherlands and Italy. Foreigners apply for citizenship least often in Latvia and Estonia – states with rather strict migration policies and quotas for the annual number of residence permits. The table below provides information on the terms of naturalization in different EU countries according to the standard procedure.

Alternative ways of obtaining EU citizenship

Standard naturalization is not the only way to obtain a passport in the European Union. Citizenship in a simplified order is granted through marriage and for large investments in the economy of the chosen country. Also, a number of countries have repatriation programs – restoring a passport by origin, with minimal requirements and without a long wait.

Giving birth in Europe does not give you the opportunity to immediately obtain citizenship for yourself or your child, as the principle of “Jus soli” does not apply in the EU. However, some countries (such as Greece and France) do have “dual soil law”. This means that a child born in a state whose mother or father was also born here and resides legally on its territory automatically acquires citizenship.

Through marriage

EU countries often allow husbands and wives of local citizens to naturalize more quickly. Usually, passport issuance is available 3-5 years after the move. Naturalization requirements can be reduced, e.g., you can keep your current citizenship or not have to take an integration test. Migration authorities in EU states closely monitor sham marriages and reserve the right to arrange various checks to ensure that the marital union is real.

Through investment

It is impossible to acquire an EU passport directly through investments in the economy in any of the countries of the union. The fastest immigration program operates in Malta, where you can become a citizen in 12 months after moving, if you are ready to invest in the state from 750 000 EUR, and additionally buy or rent real estate.

In Bulgaria and Cyprus, you can immediately apply for a European permanent residence instead of a residence permit if you invest in the country from 512 000 EUR, reducing the term of naturalization from 10 to 5 years. Sometimes there are no exemptions when applying for citizenship, but there are other privileges. For example, in Portugal investors can live only 7 days a year without the threat of revocation of residency.

By descent

Some European countries grant citizenship to those who prove through documentation that they have or have had an ancestor who was or is indigenous to the country. This procedure is called “repatriation” – it is considered to be the fastest, easiest and most accessible of all EU passport options. The best conditions for repatriates are provided in Romania, Bulgaria and Slovenia. Here you can obtain citizenship in just 4-14 months, without having to renounce your previous passport, pass an integration exam or demonstrate your income level.

The experience of Relocation Compass migration specialists shows that with a professional analysis of the biography, it is possible to find the required roots for repatriation to the European Union for most of those who wish to do so. Book a free consultation to check your eligibility for the simplified procedure.

Dual citizenship in EU countries

Some countries in Europe have dual citizenship treaties, but very few – mainly between France/Spain/Portugal and their former colonies in Africa and Latin America. The status of citizens with two passports in such cases is equally recognized in each territory.

Most EU states do not require naturalized foreigners to renounce their former passport. However, there are some countries that do not allow multiple citizenship:

• Netherlands;
• Austria;
• Estonia;
• Bulgaria;
• Spain;
• Latvia;
• Slovenia;
• Lithuania.

There are cases when during naturalization in an EU country it is necessary to give up the former passport, but upon repatriation it can be retained. This is true, for example, in Bulgaria and Slovenia. Sometimes, as an exception, it is possible not to renounce citizenship, if it is technically impossible to do so or your home state refuses the submitted application.

Denial in granting citizenship: possible reasons

Usually, EU citizenship requests are not approved if you make mistakes in the procedure. For example, you have miscalculated your period of residence, you do not have sufficient income, you have made mistakes in your documents or you have submitted an incomplete file. You may be rejected for reasons of national security and if granting citizenship is against the interests of the country. Your application will also be rejected if you have been found guilty of fraudulent actions at any stage of the migration process. You can avoid rejection by enlisting the support of international law lawyers.

Feedback from immigrants

According to immigrants, EU citizenship is easiest to obtain where you have a real reason to move. It depends on your professional qualifications, plans and family circumstances. In addition, it is also important which state’s passport you want to apply for. Eastern European countries usually have fewer requirements for immigrants, while Austria, on the other hand, requires even temporary residents to take a German language test.

In Europe, you cannot expect to receive a passport under simplified conditions if you give birth to a child on the territory of any of its countries. This will not be a reason for automatic granting of citizenship to either the children or the parents, as, for example, in Argentina, Chile or the United States. Immigrants also warn that attempts to acquire a new status through a sham marriage are likely to fail. Those who have already naturalized, advise to consult with immigration specialists beforehand, in order to have a clearer idea of the path to the desired goal.

Assistance in applying for a second EU citizenship

In order to obtain a passport in the EU countries successfully, it is worth using professional legal assistance. Relocation Compass specialists will inform you about the advantages of different programs and advise you on the best one, taking into account your intentions, budget and the nuances of the dossier. Support at every stage minimizes risks and guarantees a successful outcome. A dedicated specialist will take care of most of the tasks of the procedure, including the formation of the dossier and organization of visits to the authorities. To find out more, you can sign up for a free consultation right now.