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Imagine living in Paris, starting a business in Berlin, or retiring under the sun in Portugal, all without visas, border restrictions, or endless paperwork. That’s the everyday reality for millions of EU citizens. And it’s precisely why so many people around the world are now asking, how do I get EU citizenship?
In this complete guide, we’ll show you exactly how to become a citizen of the European Union, whether you qualify through ancestry, marriage, work, investment, or residency.
No legal mumbo jumbo. No fluff. The advice is clear and practical, covering everything from the real options available to the hidden details you need to know.
What You’ll Discover in This Guide
Why EU Citizenship Is Such a Big Deal
Becoming a citizen of an EU country isn't just about getting a second passport. It's about unlocking a new life of freedom, security, and opportunity:
- Live, work, or retire freely in 27 EU countries (plus Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein)
- Access top-tier healthcare and education at little to no cost
- Travel visa-free to over 180 countries worldwide
- Open and run businesses across Europe without special permits
- Secure your family’s future with additional rights and protection
And importantly: having a second citizenship is the ultimate plan B in today’s uncertain world.
Why Now Is the Right Time
If you’ve ever thought about becoming an EU citizen, there has never been a better moment than right now.
Across Europe, immigration laws are shifting, and not always in favour of newcomers:
- Several countries are tightening citizenship timelines and adding stricter residency requirements.
- Golden visa programmes: once an easy path to residency, are being shut down or heavily restricted.
- Some nations are limiting dual citizenship, making it harder to keep your original passport.
- Bureaucratic processes are becoming longer, costlier, and more competitive.
The doors to Europe are still open, but they’re slowly closing.
By starting your journey today, you can lock in your eligibility, access faster routes, and secure a second passport before the rules become even tougher.
Waiting could mean missing your opportunity altogether.
EU citizenship is crucial if you're planning to live, work, or travel across Europe.
Could you please clarify what it truly means to be an EU citizen and why it holds such significance?
Let’s break it down.
What EU Citizenship Really Is
When you hold citizenship in any one of the 27 EU countries, whether Italy, Germany, Portugal, or Spain, you automatically become a citizen of the European Union.
The agreement gives you rights not just in your home country but across the entire EU zone. It's as if you have 28 countries at your disposal, including Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland, thanks to agreements.
Core Rights of EU Citizens
Here’s what being an EU citizen unlocks for you:
As you can see, EU citizenship offers life-changing opportunities, from total freedom of movement to powerful benefits for you and your family.
Now, let's take a closer look at how you can qualify for EU citizenship based on your background, goals, and situation.
EU Citizenship vs Residency: Not the Same
💡Being a resident of an EU country (through a visa or permit) is not the same as being a citizen.
Many people confuse the two, but citizenship is the ultimate goal if you want full security, rights, and future-proof options.
Dual Citizenship: Can You Keep Your Original Passport?
One of the biggest concerns people have is whether they’ll lose their original citizenship (like U.S., Canadian, British, Australian, etc.) when they become an EU citizen.
The good news?
- Many EU countries allow dual citizenship, like Italy, Ireland, Portugal, France, and Sweden.
- Some are stricter, like Austria or Germany (although Germany is relaxing its laws in 2024).
- Rules vary, but most non-EU countries (like the U.S., Canada, and Australia) don’t force you to give up your original citizenship either.
There are five main ways you can qualify for EU citizenship:
- By Descent: If you have parents, grandparents, or even great-grandparents from an EU country.
- By Marriage: Through marrying an EU citizen, leading to a faster naturalisation process.
- By Naturalisation: After living legally in an EU country for several years.
- By Investment: Through Golden Visa programmes or direct investment in select EU countries.
- By Work and Employment: Building residency rights through long-term employment and legal stay.
Each path has different requirements depending on the country.
You may need to show:
- Minimum years of residency
- Basic language skills
- Integration into local culture
- Clean criminal background
⚡ Important to Know
Not all EU countries make the path to citizenship equally easy.
- Some countries offer:
- Fast-track citizenship for investors
- Shorter residency periods before applying
- Flexible dual citizenship policies
- Special programs for Americans, Brits, Australians, and other non-EU citizens
For those without European ancestry, investing in certain EU countries can offer a powerful route to citizenship.
Through strategic real estate purchases, business investments, or government contributions, you can gain residency and later full EU citizenship while building assets at the same time.
Here are the top countries offering real investment pathways in 2025:
Portugal: Golden Visa & Citizenship by Investment
Key Updates
- In late 2023, real estate investments were no longer eligible for Golden Visas.
- The five-year residency period for citizenship now starts from the application date, following a 2023 nationality law reform.
- In 2023, the introduction of new Golden Visa investment options included funds, scientific research, cultural support, and business creation.
Timeline to citizenship
- 5 years of legal residency (with minimal stay requirements: 7 days/year).
- Recent law updates (2024) have clarified that the 5-year countdown begins when you apply for residency, not when it receives approval, thereby saving valuable time.
Key Benefits
- This is one of the fastest paths to EU citizenship (eligible after 5 years of legal residency).
- Residency flexibility: Only 7 days of physical presence required per year.
- Strong passport: visa-free access to over 180 countries worldwide.
- Family inclusion: spouse, children, and dependant parents included.
- Attractive lifestyle: top healthcare, international schools, and overall quality of life.
- Tax incentives: Eligibility for Portugal’s Non-Habitual Resident (NHR) tax regime.
Spain: Golden Visa Program
Investment Options
- €500,000 real estate purchase.
- Business investment can either create jobs or add innovation.
- A significant bank deposit or government bond.
Main Criteria to Qualify
- Investment is maintained throughout the residency period.
- No criminal record
- Private health insurance coverage in Spain.
- The proof of sufficient financial means.
Timeline to citizenship
- The requirement is 10 years of legal residency.
- The waiting period is only 2 years if you're from Latin America, the Philippines, Andorra, or Equatorial Guinea (due to historic ties to Spain).
Key Benefits
- Immediate right to live, work, and study across Spain.
- There is visa-free travel throughout the Schengen Area.
- You can include the entire family, including the spouse, children, and dependent parents.
- There is no minimum stay requirement to maintain your residence permit.
- You have access to Spain's public healthcare and education systems.
Malta: Citizenship for Exceptional Services by Direct Investment
Malta offers a rare direct citizenship route, without needing years of residency first.
Requirements
- €600,000 contribution to the national development fund after 36 months of residency, or
- €750,000 contribution after 12 months (fast-track option).
- €700,000 property purchase (or €16,000/year lease).
- €10,000 charitable donation.
Timeline to citizenship
The process can take as little as 12–36 months.
Key Benefits
- English-speaking environment.
- The passport is highly respected highly for global travel.
- Stable banking, tax, and legal systems.
Italy: Investor Visa Leading to Citizenship
Italy offers an attractive investor visa program, opening residency for
- €250,000 investment in an innovative startup.
- €500,000 in an Italian company.
- €2 million in government bonds.
- €1 million in a philanthropic initiative.
Timeline to citizenship
Ten years of legal residency are required.
Key Benefits
- You have access to the entire Schengen Zone.
- There is no mandatory physical stay beyond the basic annual renewal.
- Once naturalised, they will have full rights to public healthcare and education.
Greece: Golden Visa Program
Investment Options
- €250,000 minimum real estate purchase (or €500,000 in select regions like Athens, Thessaloniki, Mykonos, and Santorini).
- New options include shares in real estate investment companies.
Timeline to citizenship
The requirement is 7 years of legal residency.
Key Benefits
- No physical residency requirement (owning the asset is enough).
- Visa-free movement across the Schengen Zone.
- Access to affordable European healthcare and education.
For many people, proving ancestral ties is one of the most powerful and emotional ways to become an EU citizen.
If you have parents, grandparents, or even great-grandparents from an EU country, you might qualify for citizenship automatically. But each country has its own rules, and the documentation standards are strict.
How to Prove Ancestral Ties
Typically, you’ll need to prove an unbroken chain from your EU ancestor to yourself. This means collecting and submitting:
- Birth certificates
- Marriage certificates
- Citizenship or naturalisation records
- Apostilled and officially translated documents
Small issues, like name misspellings, missing records, or unclear timelines, can derail your application, so careful preparation matters.
🇵🇹 Portugal
Portugal allows citizenship by descent if at least one parent is Portuguese at the time of your birth.
If your grandparent is Portuguese, you may still qualify if you can show a strong connection to Portugal (such as language ability or cultural ties).
Generally, people don't accept great-grandparent claims unless they provide exceptional proof.
🇮🇹 Italy
Italy has some of the most generous ancestry laws in Europe.
There is no generational limit as long as you can document the line.
However, births before 1948 are subject to additional restrictions when claiming through the maternal line (court applications may be required).
🇪🇸 Spain
Spain offers citizenship by descent, primarily to the children of Spanish citizens born abroad.
Grandchildren may qualify if their parent registered with Spanish authorities before their birth.
Spain also offers simplified pathways for descendants of Spanish citizens affected by historical exile (Law of Democratic Memory).
🇲🇹 Malta
Malta allows citizenship by descent if you have at least one Maltese parent at birth.
The program has recently expanded to allow descendants of Maltese emigrants (such as those born in Australia, the U.S., and Canada) to reclaim citizenship under certain conditions.
🇬🇷 Greece
Greece grants citizenship to descendants of Greek citizens, especially if the birth was registered in Greece.
If you have a Greek parent or grandparent, you can apply, but you must prove the family link through official Greek documents.
🇩🇪 Germany
Germany recognises citizenship by descent primarily for children of German citizens.
In 2024, Germany expanded eligibility to descendants of people who lost citizenship due to Nazi persecution.
Otherwise, claims through ancestry beyond the first generation (grandparents, great-grandparents) are more limited compared to countries like Italy.
Documentation Tips & Common Pitfalls
- Check records early: It can take months to collect old birth, marriage, or naturalisation certificates.
- Name spellings matter: consistency across generations is critical.
- Certified translations: Many EU countries require official translations, not just informal ones.
- Citizenship loss risks: If an ancestor gave up citizenship (for example, naturalised elsewhere), it could break the chain.
- Use experts when needed: Document retrieval and legal help can save you serious time and headaches.
Getting EU citizenship or residency isn’t just about paperwork; it comes with real costs that vary significantly depending on the pathway you choose.
Here’s what to expect:
🧾 Common Expenses for Any Route
Whether you're applying through descent, marriage, work, or investment, you’ll likely face some core costs:
🏛️ Investment Minimums: Golden Visa Programs
If you’re pursuing EU citizenship via a Golden Visa or investment residency programme, the costs are significantly higher upfront:
Additional fees like processing charges, due diligence checks, and family member inclusion can easily add €30,000–€100,000+ depending on the country.
Golden Visa vs Naturalisation: Cost Comparison
Getting EU citizenship isn’t simply about filling out forms; it’s an investment of time, money, and strategy. Some paths are affordable but slow. Others are swift but expensive.
Let’s break down the typical costs depending on the route you choose.
As you can see, naturalisation routes like descent or marriage are often far more affordable, but they demand time and patience. Investment paths like the Golden Visa come with a high price tag but reward you with faster residency rights and flexibility.
1️⃣ Naturalisation Through Residency
Typically, the process involves living in a country for several continuous years, integrating into society, learning the local language, and demonstrating ties to the community.
Key Factors to Expect
- Proof of legal residence
- Language proficiency (varies by country)
- Knowledge of local culture or passing a basic civics exam
- Clean criminal record
- Financial self-sufficiency
Examples:
- Portugal: Allows naturalisation after 5 years of residency, with minimal stay requirements.
- Spain: Requires 10 years of residency, reduced to 2 years for citizens of Latin American countries, the Philippines, Andorra, or Equatorial Guinea.
2️⃣ Citizenship by Investment
Several EU countries offer residency through investment, which can eventually lead to citizenship.
Investors are granted residency rights after making qualifying investments in real estate, business, funds, or government bonds. After maintaining residency and meeting national requirements, they may become eligible to apply for citizenship.
Portugal, Spain, Malta, and Greece are among the top destinations offering Golden Visa programs with clear paths toward eventual citizenship.
Common Investment Types
- Investment in regulated investment funds
- Strategic real estate purchases (where still allowed)
- Business creation that generates local jobs
- Donations supporting scientific research or cultural projects
3️⃣ Citizenship by Descent
If you have European ancestry, you might be eligible for citizenship through descent. Key countries offering this pathway include:
- Italy: No generation limit through paternal or post-1948 maternal lines if citizenship was not renounced.
- Poland: Available if ancestors maintained Polish citizenship after 1920.
- Germany: Recognised for descendants of German citizens, including those impacted by Nazi-era laws.
- Portugal: Available for descendants of Sephardic Jews and certain emigrants.
- Spain: Offered to descendants of Spaniards born abroad and under special historical laws.
- Ireland: Eligible if a parent or grandparent was born in Ireland.
4️⃣ Work and Business Pathways
Employment or entrepreneurship in the EU can lead to residency and eventually citizenship:
- EU Blue Card: For highly skilled workers; offers a pathway to permanent residency and citizenship.
- Startup Visas: Countries like France and Italy offer visas for entrepreneurs planning to establish innovative businesses.
💡 Note: These pathways typically require a job offer or business plan, along with financial stability.
5️⃣ Citizenship Through Marriage
Marrying an EU citizen can significantly shorten the path to citizenship. Most EU countries offer accelerated naturalisation timelines for spouses, often reducing residency requirements compared to standard applicants.
Typical conditions include maintaining the marriage for several years, demonstrating ties to the country, passing basic language tests, and meeting residency obligations.
While timelines and integration requirements vary, countries like Portugal, Spain, Italy, and France provide well-established spousal routes to citizenship.
6️⃣ Dual Citizenship Considerations
The United States allows dual citizenship, and many EU countries permit Americans to retain their US citizenship when naturalising.
However, a few EU nations require individuals to renounce prior citizenships unless specific exemptions apply.
Here’s a quick overview:
Brexit reshaped the rights of British nationals across Europe— stripping automatic freedom of movement, work, and residency rights across the EU.
But many pathways remain open for those looking to regain their European status.
Restoring European Mobility: Main Pathways
While no single program "undoes" Brexit, several options help UK citizens reclaim access to the EU:
Ancestry Claims:
If you have Irish, Italian, Polish, or Portuguese heritage, you might be eligible for citizenship by descent, often without residency requirements.
Long-Term Residency:
Acquiring legal residency in an EU country (e.g., Portugal, Spain, France) can eventually lead to citizenship after a qualifying period (typically 5–10 years).
Marriage or Family Routes:
Being married to or related to an EU citizen can significantly reduce the residency /naturalisation timeline.
Investment-Based Residency:
Golden Visa programs (Portugal, Spain, and Greece) provide a residency route leading to citizenship, which is particularly popular among British retirees and investors post-Brexit.
Top Countries Where Brits Are Moving to Regain EU Rights
Certain EU countries have emerged as Britain's favourites for restoring their European footprints.
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