A residence permit in Europe is issued to those who have a legitimate reason to stay in the chosen country for a long period of time (usually more than 3-6 months). A temporary residence document grants you a number of rights and privileges, for example, it gives you access to the labor market and business, allows you to be served in local banks, travel without a visa in the Schengen area or apply for social support. Usually, residence permits are granted for 1-3 years with the prospect of extension, but there are exceptions, for example, key investors can immediately obtain a permanent residence in Bulgaria or Cyprus.

A residence permit in the EU is usually issued for labor, commercial or professional activities, education, advanced training, family or humanitarian reasons. Residence programs for financially independent individuals, investors and real estate buyers are popular among foreigners. Often you are required to have no criminal record and cases of violation of EU migration laws, to prove the availability of health insurance, a place to live in the country and a stable source of income.

Some countries of the European Union have simplified programs for acquiring citizenship. Their participants do not need to reside in the state with a residence permit beforehand, and the time of passport issuance is up to 14 months after the start of cooperation with immigration specialists Relocation Compass. More information about this can be obtained at a free legal consultation.

Advantages of obtaining a residence permit in the EU

Obtaining a European residence permit provides a wide range of opportunities, namely:

• prospect of career growth and increase in income level (average salary in the EU is 2400 EUR per month for 2025);
• easy cooperation with foreign partners, business expansion at the international level, obtaining grant support from the EU for IEs;
• free service in European banks, opening of accounts and loans, transfer of funds abroad without restrictions;
• long-term residence in a country with a high standard of living and the possibility of subsequent registration of EU citizenship;
• visa-free travel to Schengen countries (does not apply to the Cyprus residence permit);
• participation in the social life of the country, including registration of benefits and subsidies according to the status, payment of taxes for accumulation of pensionable service;
• simplified entry permits to popular countries such as the United States of America, Canada, China or Australia;
• the possibility to invite family members (spouse, child, elderly parents) to live with you and open a residence permit for them;
• general civil rights and privileges such as qualified medical care or the benefits of a developed education system.

Main ways of obtaining residence permit in the EU countries

It is impossible to simply get a residence permit in the EU – first of all, you need to have a reason to move. Usually, the available options are regulated by the law “On Foreigners” or the Immigration Code of a particular country. It is impossible to officially buy a temporary resident card in any of the European countries. But there are special programs for foreign investors, which sometimes can get special privileges like family relocation to the chosen country or accelerated passport processing.

Conventionally, residence permit can be divided into two types – with the right to naturalization and without it. In the first case, temporary residence is the first step on the way to permanent residence and EU citizenship. The reasons for moving must be long-term, such as employment or reuniting with relatives. In the second case, the residence permit is issued for a limited period of time (up to 6-12 months) and is usually not renewed. Examples of reasons are internship, volunteer work or seasonal work. Common ways of obtaining EU residence permit include those listed below.

Labor activity

You can move to Europe by signing a work contract with a local company. EU countries usually employ foreigners on a residual basis, i.e., only if the vacancy is not filled by citizens/residents of the association. Exceptions are provided for representatives of scarce professions such as engineers, IT-specialists or technicians (the list is different for each country). To obtain an immigration residence permit, it is necessary to conclude a contract for a period of 6-12 months with the prospect of extension and receive a salary not lower than the minimum wage in the country in the chosen industry.

Commercial activity

All European countries give residence permits to businessmen who propose a promising project for implementation in the state and have sufficient start-up capital. Residency is also granted to startup entrepreneurs with an innovative idea, which can sponsor special venture funds. For example, in France, a French Tech Visa is issued to foreigners with promising projects.

Usually, businessmen are required to confirm their qualifications (education) and successful experience in the chosen field. The size of the authorized capital depends on the country and sometimes can start from 1 EUR, the main thing is to interest the authorities in the business plan.

Investment

In some countries of the European Union, it is possible to obtain a residence permit for investments. Investments can be made, for example, in shares of existing or new companies, government securities and bonds, or a fixed-term deposit in a bank. On average, the minimum investment amount starts from 250 000-500 000 EUR and depends on the specific country. Often such residence permits are easier to apply for than ordinary ones and give more advantages, for example, they are valid for up to 5 years instead of the standard year.

Buying real estate

Popular among wealthy foreigners ways of obtaining European residency is the purchase of residential and commercial properties in the territory of the chosen country. Such programs operate, for example, in Spain, Greece, Latvia, Portugal and Italy. You can live in the purchased house or apartment or rent it out. It is also allowed to buy hotels, inns, offices and other commercial properties. The price of real estate usually cannot be lower than 250 000 EUR, depending on the state. Sometimes it is allowed to purchase several properties for the required amount.

Financial independence

Some European countries, such as Austria, Hungary or Italy, allow those who receive income from abroad to reside in the country. This type of residence permit is issued without the right to employment or commercial activity in the state. You can live for the salary of a remote employee, dividends from securities and shares, rent for rented real estate abroad. This method is also relevant for wealthy pensioners, if their allowance exceeds the minimum in the chosen country. Prospects for further naturalization depend on the particular state.

Reunification with relatives

Residence permit in the European Union is granted to family members of local citizens and residents. As a standard procedure, reunification is approved for legal spouses or de facto partners, minor and unmarried children, parents (if the inviting party is under 18 years of age). Residence permits may also be granted to other relatives of a European resident who need care or depend on him or her financially, such as elderly parents. Spouses of EU citizens are often eligible for accelerated naturalization – on average 3-5 years after the move.

Education

It is possible to obtain a temporary resident card in Europe by studying. To do this, you need to enroll as a student at a local accredited university. A residence permit is also issued for internships, language courses or advanced training programs. Usually, you are required to pay for your education, for minors – to provide written consent from parents for immigration. Most often, student residence permits do not allow you to naturalize in the country, but give you the right to later find a job or open a business in Europe and re-issue a residence card.

Citizens of the European Union enjoy freedom of movement and can reside in any of the countries of the association without having to find a reason to immigrate. Analyze with a Relocation Compass international law specialist your chances of obtaining a second passport in the EU.

Procedure for obtaining a residence permit in Europe

The general algorithm of actions includes several key stages:

1. Determining the appropriate immigration basis.
   You will need to clarify the pros and cons of different options for registration of a European residence permit, to determine the available ways, taking into account the requirements for the applicant, which can help immigration lawyers.
2. Opening a national visa category D.
   Most often, a residence permit in European countries is issued upon arrival, and to cross the state border you need to open a long-term visa. This can be done by applying to the diplomatic mission of the chosen country in your home country.
3. Moving and visiting the migration service.
   After obtaining an entry visa, you get to your destination, if required – make an address registration and undergo a medical examination, after which you apply to the migration authorities for a temporary resident card.
4. Obtaining a residence permit.
   The authorized body examines your file, checks the submitted documents, if necessary, conducts an interview with you, and then makes a decision on granting a residence permit and issues it personally or sends it by post.

Requirements and conditions for obtaining a residence permit

Usually, residence in the EU is granted to those who plan to move for one of the reasons specified in the legislation and can prove it with relevant documents. A residence permit is granted to foreigners who meet the following conditions:

• have legal and permanent sources of livelihood in an amount that allows them not to apply for social assistance in the state;
• demonstrate law-abiding behavior, e.g., they have not been convicted, have no links with terrorists or violations of EU migration laws;
• are protected by a health insurance policy that is valid in all EU and/or Schengen countries;
• do not pose a threat to national security or public health (sometimes a medical examination is carried out to confirm this);
• have a place to stay in the chosen country, e.g., a bought/rented property or a relative’s house.

The basic list of documents for the issuance of a temporary residence permit in the European Union is as follows:

• a valid passport for travel abroad;
• proof of a reason to move;
• recent 35 x 45 mm color photographs;
• metric documents (birth, marriage);
• information on a legal source of income;
• EU health insurance policy;
• receipt for payment of the administrative fee;
• contract of sale or lease of real estate;
• a certificate of no criminal record from your home country.

To find out exactly where in Europe it is easiest to obtain a residence permit, you should consider your reason for moving and your plans. For example, Bulgaria offers one of the lowest entry thresholds for investors – about 128 000 EUR. It is possible to move through the purchase of real estate to Cyprus and Latvia. Residence permit for financially independent persons allows you to naturalize in Greece or Portugal. Spain is the only country that grants residency even to illegal migrants, if they have lived in the country for 2-3 years and integrated into society.

Time and cost of residence permit application

On average, applications for residence permit in the EU countries are processed within 2-6 months. The final term depends on the laws of a particular state and the burden on migration authorities – sometimes it can stretch up to a year. In addition, it is necessary to take into account the duration of visa opening (1-2 months) and leave time to collect, translate and certify the necessary documents. In total, the immigration process can take from half a year.

When opening a visa and residence permit in Europe, it is necessary to pay state fees. Usually, an entry permit costs up to 100 EUR, and a residence permit costs about 100-200 EUR. The administrative fee may be higher for investors and financially independent persons, such as in Greece or Portugal. Also, the fee is approximately doubled if you want the request to be considered in an accelerated order, but this is not allowed in all countries.

In addition, when applying for European residency, you will need to pay for translation of documents into a foreign language, their notarization and apostille (if applicable). Related costs will also be needed to organize travel to visit the authorized bodies. For successful immigration, you can enlist the support of Relocation Compass international law specialists who will tell you where it is cheaper and easier to obtain a residence permit.

Extension and transition to permanent residence and citizenship

To extend your residence permit in Europe, you must first of all maintain a reason for staying in the country. For example, you can re-conclude an employment contract with your employer or find a new vacancy, successfully transfer to the next university course or prove the financial success of the opened enterprise. The conditions for renewal are similar to those for the initial opening of a residence permit. To start the procedure, you re-apply to the migration service before the expiration of the current resident card.

After about 5 years of permanent residence in Europe, you become eligible to apply for a permanent residence permit. The status of long-term resident is granted for an unlimited period and does not require you to maintain the basis for staying in the country thereafter. Usually, permanent residents are required to know the national language at least at A2 level, economic stability, sufficient integration into society. After another 2-5 years you can apply for an EU passport by naturalization. This will require:

1. Pass the language and integration exam.
2. Submit the documents to the Citizenship Office.
3. Wait for a decision within 3-12 months.
4. Participate in the swearing-in ceremony.
5. Receive a certificate of naturalization.
6. Obtain a national passport.

In total, naturalization in the European Union takes 5-10 years from the moment of opening the first residence permit. You don’t have to wait that long, but can apply for an EU passport through an accelerated procedure in just 4-14 months. You can learn more about popular immigration programs from specialized lawyers.

Possible difficulties and reasons for refusal

Most often, the authorities of EU countries refuse to issue a residence permit due to errors in the procedure. For example, you have submitted an incomplete dossier, incorrectly translated or certified documents, missed any of the requirements for the applicant. A residence permit will not be granted if the annual quotas for immigration have expired (for example, in Estonia). The request may be rejected by those who have previously violated the laws of the European Union or are suspected of intending to stay in the country illegally. More rarely, a negative decision is made on national security grounds because of your citizenship or inclusion in sanctions lists.

In order not to face rejection, it is necessary to carefully study all the conditions of issuing a European residence permit, check the required list of documents and the terms of the procedure. Decisions of migration authorities can usually be challenged in court, but such cases are most often won by the state. You can also enlist legal assistance in formalizing your residency. Step-by-step support of specialists guarantees successful obtaining of the requested status or document.

Alternative options for fast processing of EU residency

Some countries of the European Union give the opportunity to obtain a local passport immediately, without the scheme of residence permit – permanent residence – citizenship. This can be done under the repatriation program – to restore the status of a citizen on the basis of ethnic or territorial belonging to the state or its people. To do this, it is necessary to prove that at least one of your relatives in the direct ascending line possessed a passport of the relevant country or lived on its territory. Taking into account the active migration processes of the twentieth century, it is possible to find the necessary roots in the EU in the family trees of most of those who wish to do so.

Participants of simplified programs are exempted from the need to pass integration exams, live in the state with residence permit, demonstrate financial security and refuse a passport in their home country. The best conditions are provided, for example, in Romania, Slovenia and Bulgaria. Here, with the support of international law specialists, it is possible to obtain a second citizenship in just 4-14 months from the start of cooperation.

To find out if you can participate in the expedited European passport application process, contact Relocation Compass immigration lawyers. They will check your metric documents free of charge and tell you which of the current EU programs are available to you. This way, you can find the best option for obtaining a second citizenship in the least amount of time and without major expenses. When you work with lawyers, you can delegate most of the tasks to them to be sure of the outcome. Find out more details by booking a consultation today.