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What’s the easiest way to get EU citizenship in 2025

Citizenship in the EU gives you the opportunity to obtain an additional status, endows you with a full set of rights, legalizes residence, employment and commercial activity throughout the territory of the association. In general order, a passport of any European state is granted by naturalization after a long residence on its territory and integration into society. But the easiest and most accessible way to obtain citizenship in the EU countries is the repatriation procedure, which takes from 4 to 14 months with the assistance of international law specialists.

You can sign up for a free legal consultation to learn more about current immigration programs in the European Union. Relocation Compass professionals will check your metric documents and recommend the best way to obtain a second citizenship.

What benefits does an EU citizenship give?

EU citizenship entitles you to visa-free travel to more than 160 countries around the world, as well as access to the following privileges:

  • free employment in any of the EU states;
  • conducting commercial activities at the international level;
  • free education in prestigious European universities;
  • state protection of personal rights and interests, including abroad;
  • preferential treatment in modern European clinics;
  • immigration to another EU country for permanent residence without special requirements and time limits;
  • simplified opening of visas to popular countries such as the USA and China;
  • guaranteed reunification with family members in the EU;
  • automatic transfer of citizenship status to subsequent generations;
  • financial support from EU countries, e.g., for businessmen.

Repatriation is the fastest way to EU citizenship

Repatriation is a simplified procedure of citizenship in EU countries by descent.  To participate in it, it is enough to prove that at least one of your ancestors in the direct ascending line possessed a passport of the respective state, including the loss of it against his/her will. Usually, kinship is taken into account up to 3-4 generations. Since in the previous century there were active migration processes on the territory of Europe, it is possible to find the necessary roots for repatriation for almost every person.

EU citizenship by repatriation is the fastest, easiest and most affordable immigration program available at the moment. Usually, its participants do not need to open residence permit and permanent residence permit of the chosen country, live with it on the territory of Europe for 5-10 years (as in the case of naturalization), demonstrate integration into society and knowledge of the national language. Repatriates can make a request for a European passport without renouncing the current document in their home country, demonstrating financial security and large expenditures. The most loyal conditions are offered by Romania, Slovenia and Bulgaria.

Romania

EU citizenship is quite easy to obtain in Romania, which provides for repatriation on the basis of ethnic or territorial affiliation to the country. Applications are accepted from descendants (up to and including great-grandchildren) of those who lived in the state (its borders before 1940 are taken into account) or possessed a local passport and lost it due to force majeure.

In the first half of the twentieth century, Romania included some modern lands of Ukraine, Bulgaria, Hungary and Moldova. After World War II, many residents of the state were deported to the territory of the USSR. These historical aspects explain why it is possible to find Romanian roots in people from different countries when legally analyzing the biography.

In Romania, it is possible to obtain citizenship of the European Union in a maximum of 14 months, if you use the help of immigration specialists. Repatriates do not need to undergo a check on the degree of integration into the local society, provide information on the level of income and write a waiver of the previous passport. All that is needed is to prove their belonging to the state with metric documents and have no criminal record.

Slovenia

Many immigrants claim that EU citizenship is easiest to obtain in the Republic of Slovenia. The repatriation program here applies to the descendants of the original inhabitants up to the fourth generation inclusive, i.e., up to the great-grandchildren. The country has repeatedly undergone ethnic and territorial changes due to the disintegration of first Austria-Hungary and then Yugoslavia. There are minimal requirements for repatriates in the state, and the waiting period for a passport is only 4-12 months (with legal support).

Slovenia provides comfortable living conditions for the population, for example, medicine in Europe is accessible, high-quality and inexpensive here. You can also immigrate here for the sake of decent salaries, prestigious free education, personal security. If moving is not in your plans, you can use the EU passport for other purposes – visa and economic freedom or business expansion to new markets.

Bulgaria

Citizenship of a European country (more precisely, the EU) is also easier to obtain in Bulgaria. Here, repatriates are exempt from language and integration exams, proof of solvency and mandatory residence in the state. Unlike naturalized foreigners, participants of the simplified immigration program in the republic do not have to give up their passport in their home country. With the support of specialized lawyers, it takes a maximum of one year to obtain a European passport.

Bulgaria also took part in key historical events of the twentieth century, including the First and Second World Wars, which is why the descendants of local citizens today live all over the world. To apply for EU citizenship in the republic, you need to provide birth certificates of every relative in the ascending line up to the required ancestor, as well as demonstrate law-abiding behavior.

Relocation Compass lawyers will analyze your background and provide accurate information about your European Union roots. You can start your cooperation with a free consultation, where you will receive a personalized action plan for the successful acquisition of a second citizenship.

Naturalization: the standard path to citizenship

Naturalization is a standard way of obtaining EU citizenship for those who have no ethnic or territorial ties with the chosen country. This path is available to all foreigners who move to the state with a residence permit, extend it for several years (including changing it to a permanent residence permit), after which they can apply for a national passport.

Compliance with the norms of sedentism (residence) is not enough – in order to obtain EU citizenship by naturalization, immigrants are usually also subject to additional requirements, such as:

  • passing the national language proficiency exam (expected level – B1);
  • demonstration of stable social integration, economic and social ties in the country;
  • passing a test to understand the socio-cultural features of the country, its history, geography and political course;
  • absence in the biography of cases of violation of migration laws of the EU countries, convictions for serious crimes (including abroad);
  • having a stable and legal source of livelihood and residence in the territory of the state.

Some countries, such as Italy and the Netherlands, grant European citizenship only to those who give up their passport in their home country. On average, the period of sedentary period for naturalization is from 5 to 10 years, depending on the chosen EU state. This is much longer than repatriation and also requires much more expense and associated effort.

To start the naturalization process, you need to obtain a residence permit in the EU on one of the grounds – it can be to enter the workforce, start a business, go to university or move in with your spouse. You reside in Europe, periodically re-register your residency (keeping the reason for being in the country), and after 5 years you request a residence permit. Then you need to prepare for citizenship of an EU country, including passing integration and language exams. After meeting all the requirements, you can naturalize, if it does not contradict the state interests.

The conditions for acquiring an EU passport depend on the particular state, for example:

  • France.
    It is possible to obtain EU citizenship relatively quickly (as for naturalization) in France, where you need to have been a resident for five years or more. It is necessary to pass a test of knowledge of the language and socio-cultural peculiarities of the country, to have no criminal record and no tax debts. The period of residency can be reduced to two years if you are quickly integrated into society or your activities are of special interest to the state. The wait is also reduced if you have studied in the EU (within France) for a minimum of 24 months and obtained a master’s degree.
  • Spain.
    To obtain citizenship of a European country, you will need to have lived in Spain for ten years or more. You must pass two exams – DELE and CCSE (to prove your language and integration level). The period of residence is shortened for spouses of local citizens, Sephardic Jews, recognized refugees, Ibero-Americans, Andorra, Philippines, Equatorial Guinea or Portugal. In order to obtain a Spanish passport, one must renounce a similar document in the home country.
  • Germany.
    As of 2024, Germany makes it easier to obtain citizenship than it was previously. In particular, the period of prior residence in the country has been reduced to 5 years instead of the previous 8 years. Those who have demonstrated significant rates of social integration, including passing the German language exam at the level of B2 and above, can naturalize in 3 years. Also, the FRG now does not require foreigners to renounce their previous citizenship when applying for a local passport. Only years during which you do not benefit from social financial support are counted towards your period of residence.
  • Italy.
    You can obtain an Italian passport if you have lived in the country for at least 10 years (first with a residence permit and then with a permanent residence permit). You must pass a language test (level B1 or higher), demonstrate law-abiding behavior and a positive attitude towards the state, and swear an oath of allegiance to the Republic if your request is approved. You also give up your previous passport when applying for an Italian passport. After 5 years you can naturalize refugees and stateless persons, after 4 years – citizens of the European Union.

Investment programs: citizenship for investment in the country’s economy

As of 2025, it is impossible to directly obtain passports of European countries for investments. The maximum that can be counted on is a permanent residence, issued without prior residence in the country with a residence permit. Such a program operates, for example, in Bulgaria, where you need to invest in the state economy from 512 thousand EUR. In this case, the term of naturalization is reduced from 10 years to 5. In Cyprus it is necessary to invest at least 300 thousand EUR to get a permanent residence card

EU citizenship for investments is easiest to obtain in Malta. The minimum period of residence on the island in this case is 12 months. It is necessary to make direct financial investments in the state in the amount from 750 thousand EUR. The period of preliminary residence increases up to 3 years, if you invest from 600 thousand EUR. Also, in both cases you need to buy residential real estate (house or apartment), the minimum price of which is 700 thousand EUR. In addition, you make a voluntary donation to organizations defined by the country in the amount of 10 000 EUR.

In other countries you can obtain citizenship of the European Union in the general procedure of naturalization. Investments in the economy of the country allow you to open a residence permit, after which you need to live in the state for 5-10 years and fulfill the relevant conditions. On average, the minimum amount required to obtain a residence permit starts from 250 000-500 000 EUR. Affordable programs are available, for example, in Latvia, Portugal, Spain, Italy, Greece. Taking into account the cost of living in the EU, the final cost of citizenship may significantly exceed the starting amount of investment.

In exceptional cases, you can count on an EU passport for investments, which will be considered by the government as a special merit to the country. Usually, it is a question of investing capital in large amounts (from several million euros). The mere fact of investment is not enough – the authorities evaluate how useful your sponsorship is for the society, for example, you finance a charity fund or help to overcome unemployment in one of the economically disadvantaged regions.

Comparative table of ways to obtain EU citizenship

To understand where it is easiest to obtain European citizenship, you can compare different immigration programs by basic criteria. Detailed information is presented in the table below.

Method of registration/Comparative criterionNaturalizationRepatriationInvestment
Prior residence in the country++
Expected passport processing time5–10 years4–14 months1–10 years
Passing an integration exam++
Necessity to know the state language++
Expected financial costsfrom 5000 EURFor state feesfrom 250 000 EUR
Renunciation of the passport of the home countrypossibleNot requiredpossible

Relocation Compass international law specialists help you find the most affordable way to obtain citizenship in the European Union. Cooperation with competent lawyers is a guarantee of successful issuance of a second passport in a short period of time and without large investments.

Dual citizenship in the EU: whether it is necessary to renounce the first passport

The conditions for retaining the former passport when applying for citizenship of a European country depend on the laws of a particular state. Usually, a renounce is required only from naturalized foreigners. Such a condition is set, in particular, by the Netherlands, Austria, Estonia, Bulgaria and some other EU states. You must renounce your previous citizenship before or within a short period of time after entering the EU territory. If you fail to comply with this rule, the naturalization application will be rejected or the passport granted will be revoked.

The right to dual (second) citizenship is usually available to repatriates. They do not need to give up their previous passport, regardless of their current place of residence, age and related conditions. This is another argument in favor of a simplified citizenship restoration procedure, which can be attended to with the support of Relocation Compass international law specialists.

Assistance in obtaining a second EU passport

In order to guarantee the issuance of an EU passport, it is worth enlisting the help of specialized professionals. Immigration lawyers will take care of most tasks, including preparing documents and organizing appointments with government agencies. International law specialists will professionally check your dossier to determine the best way to acquire a second citizenship with minimal cost and effort. Step-by-step support will allow you to avoid rejection of your application due to procedural errors.

Relocation Compass specialized lawyers will advise you on where to obtain citizenship of a European country (more precisely, the EU) quickly and without additional requirements, answer related questions. International law specialists are thoroughly versed in the peculiarities of the legislation of different EU countries, so you are guaranteed to receive the desired passport upon completion of the procedure. To learn more, make an appointment for a free legal consultation.

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Alex Wong

Author:

Alex Wong

Immigration lawyer at Relocation Compass

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Date: 27-12-2024
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