Citizenship of the European Union (EU) allows you to work, travel and study in any EU country without needing a visa. The path to obtain it can take several years. To receive EU citizenship it is necessary to apply for citizenship in one of the member states. The procedure varies from country to country. In general, you will have to live in the country of your choice for a certain number of years, gather evidence of your eligibility to become a member and then apply. Citizenship tests, language exams and an application fee may also be required. If you have already lived in an EU country for a while, however, you may have a very good chance of obtaining citizenship.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Meet the Prerequisites
Step 1. Establish your residence in an EU country
If you do not yet live in an EU country, you will need to move to one of them to be resident. Immigration is a very serious and expensive choice, which will include applying for a visa, looking for a job, learning a new language and staying in the country for several years.
- The European Union is made up of 28 countries. Becoming a citizen of any of these will grant you EU citizenship. However, each country has different requirements for granting citizenship.
- Remember that not all countries of Europe belong to the EU. Going to live in Norway, Macedonia or Switzerland will not help you in obtaining EU citizenship.
- Remember that the UK is preparing to leave the European Union. If you apply for British citizenship, therefore, you may not get permanent EU citizenship.
Step 2. Find out how long you will have to live in the country you have chosen to become a citizen
Most countries require a stay of at least 5 years, but some may require a longer stay. Find out how long you will have to live in your chosen country before applying for citizenship.
For example, to have German citizenship you would need to live in Germany for 8 years. In France, however, 5 years would be enough
Step 3. Take into account your spouse's citizenship
If your spouse is a citizen of an EU country, you may apply for citizenship through him or her. Depending on the country of which you are a citizen, marriage may shorten the waiting time before applying for citizenship.
In Sweden, you would normally have to live in the country for 5 years before you can apply for citizenship. However, if you were married to a Swedish citizen or were their declared partner, you would only need to live in Sweden for 3 years before applying
Step 4. Learn the language of the country you are living in
Many EU countries require a certain level of language before allowing you to apply for citizenship. In some states you may be required to attend a course, while in others you may be subjected to a basic language test. Countries that require a certain level of language or take a test for you include:
- Hungary
- Germany
- Latvia
- Romania
- Denmark
Step 5. Check if you have ancestors who lived in an EU country
Some EU countries grant citizenship to the children or grandchildren of citizens, even if they do not live in the country for which it is applied for. The laws governing this process are called "ius sanguinis" (right of blood).
- Ireland, Italy and Greece grant citizenship to the children and grandchildren of citizens. Hungary also includes great-grandchildren.
- In Germany and the UK, you can only get citizenship this way if your parents were citizens.
- Some countries will apply restrictions based on when your ancestors left the country. For example, in Poland you can only obtain citizenship if your ancestors emigrated after 1951, while in Spain only if they emigrated between 1936 and 1955.
Part 2 of 3: Applying for Citizenship
Step 1. Collect the documents
Photocopy the most important documents. Never attach original documents. Although the more precise requirements vary from country to country, in general you will need:
- A copy of your birth certificate;
- A copy of your valid passport;
- Proof of your residency, such as employment contracts, bank statements, travel records or official emails that contain your address;
- Proof of your employment, such as a written statement from your employer. If you are retired or self-employed, show your accounting records to prove you are economically stable;
- If you are married to a citizen you will need proof of marriage, such as a marriage certificate, birth certificates of any children and family photos.
Step 2. Fill out the application
The application is usually available on the website of the country's immigration department. Read the application carefully before filling it out. Although the forms vary from country to country, you will need to declare:
- Your full name;
- Your current address and any previous addresses;
- Your date of birth;
- Your current citizenship;
- Your level of education;
- How long have you been a resident in the country;
- Some details about your family, including parents, spouse, and children.
Step 3. Pay the application fee
You may have to pay for your application to be processed. The amount can vary a lot. Here are some examples:
- Ireland: € 175;
- Germany: € 255;
- Sweden: 1, 500 SEK;
- Spain: € 60-100.
Step 4. Take the citizenship test
A citizenship test serves to demonstrate your knowledge of the customs, language, laws, history and culture of the country for which you are applying for citizenship. They are short tests, but are required by many EU countries.
- For example, in Germany you will be asked 33 questions about German history, law and culture. You will have to answer at least 17 questions correctly.
- These tests are usually in the country's official language.
Step 5. Attend the hearing or interview if required
In some countries, you will be questioned by a judge or the police before receiving citizenship. After completing the application, you will receive a notification to know the date and place of the meeting.
Step 6. Attend the citizenship ceremony
Most countries organize a ceremony for new citizens. During the ceremony, citizens take an oath. You may receive a naturalization certificate on this occasion, proving your new citizenship. Once you have obtained citizenship of an EU country, you are automatically considered an EU citizen.
- You will usually have an answer to your citizenship application within 3 months of submitting your application. However, some countries may take longer.
- The ceremonies could take place in large cities or in capitals.
- Participating in such ceremonies is often necessary in order to have citizenship.
Part 3 of 3: Improve Your Question
Step 1. Avoid leaving the country for too long
Your residence in the country must mostly be continuous. This means that you have to live exclusively in that country for a given amount of time. If you leave the country for more than a few weeks a year, you may no longer be considered eligible for citizenship.
For example, in France, if you are away for more than 6 months, you are declared incompatible with obtaining citizenship
Step 2. Increase your annual salary
Many countries will not grant you citizenship unless you earn a certain amount of money. Some may require proof that you have employment in the country. If you are married and not working, however, you may need to provide details of your spouse's job.
- For example, in Denmark, you need to prove that you are able to support yourself and your family without relying on any form of public assistance, such as public housing or social security.
- If you are a student, the requirements may be different. You may need to graduate and get a full-time job before you can apply.
Step 3. Buy a property in the country where you live
If you own a house or land in the country where you apply for citizenship, you will have a better chance of obtaining it. In some countries, such as Greece, Latvia, Portugal and Cyprus, you can get the right of citizenship just by owning some property value.
Advice
- Many countries, such as Cyprus and Austria, allow you to earn citizenship by investing money in the government, but we usually talk about investments of at least one million euros.
- Laws vary a lot from one country to another when it comes to citizenship. Make sure you research and study the laws of the country you want to apply for.
- Dual citizenship that includes at least one EU country will still grant you EU citizenship.
- Once you have obtained citizenship in Austria, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Latvia or Lithuania, you will be required to renounce your previous citizenship.
