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How to Obtain EU Citizenship

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Since 1992, Feod Group has been providing comprehensive services for obtaining residence permits and citizenship in EU countries.
Our company includes international lawyers and immigration specialists who assist clients every step of the way.

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EU Citizenship and Passport open up broad prospects that will never lose their significance. Obtaining EU citizenship is a complex and demanding task, but we are ready to help you navigate through this process.

Benefits of EU Citizenship:

✔ Freedom of Movement

As an EU citizen, you can enter your country of citizenship even during border closures. Visa-free travel with an EU passport is allowed in more than 160 countries worldwide.

✔ Freedom of Choice

With an EU passport, you and your family have the right to live, work, and study in any EU and EEA country.

✔ High Quality of Life and Stability

Most European countries have stable economic development indicators, resulting in a high level of accessible social benefits for their citizens.

✔ Future for Children

Your children can acquire European citizenship by birth. Moreover, education in European schools and universities has always been and remains of a high standard, with diplomas from European universities being prestigious and recognized worldwide. With an EU passport, education in some schools, colleges, and universities will be completely free.

✔ Asset and Capital Protection

Organizing a corporate structure along with immigration status and obtained citizenship, plus obtaining tax residency status, will provide maximum benefits and asset protection for you, your business, and your family.

✔ Economic Opportunities

An EU passport expands your economic opportunities and allows you to conduct business under favorable conditions. Like any other EU citizen, you can freely buy and sell real estate, open accounts in any European banks, register or purchase businesses, take loans, and obtain mortgages at low interest rates.

✔ Second Citizenship

In most EU countries, citizenship and a passport can be obtained as a second one, and you do not need to renounce your first citizenship.

✔ Social Security

As an EU citizen, you are entitled to European pensions, unemployment benefits, or disability benefits.

It is better to ask ones than to search 100 times

If you have any questions, please contact us.

 

Ways to obtain EU citizenship

 

There are several ways to obtain European citizenship. The best path for each person depends on their personal circumstances, as well as the country where they want to obtain EU citizenship.

Acquiring EU citizenship by birth

 

Important! Currently, there is widespread misinformation online stating that a woman who gives birth in the EU automatically grants citizenship to herself and her newborn child. However, this information does not reflect reality.

No EU country provides automatic and unconditional citizenship to children born on their territory to foreign citizens.

However, there are specific provisions for granting EU citizenship to a child born on EU territory:

Obtaining citizenship through marriage to an EU citizen

 

If you are the spouse of an EU citizen, you can also obtain citizenship, but certain conditions must be met. Obtaining citizenship through marriage to an EU citizen is a naturalization process, but with shortened residency requirements.

In each EU country, there are additional requirements for spouses of EU citizens seeking citizenship, but the main ones include:

Citizenship through residency in the country – Naturalization

 

Naturalization is the process of obtaining citizenship of a country through legal residence in that country for a specified period of time and fulfilling other conditions.

To naturalize, several stages must typically be completed: obtaining a residence permit and/or permanent residency, residing in the country, and then applying for citizenship.

In total, the naturalization process takes between 5 to 12 years depending on the country.

Grounds for obtaining residence permits and naturalization in the EU include:

Conditions for obtaining EU citizenship through naturalization:

Each country has its specific naturalization requirements, but typically, the following are mandatory to qualify for citizenship through naturalization:

  1. Legal residence in the country for a specified period (usually several years, ranging from 5 or more). In some cases, this period may be shortened.
  2. Applicants for EU citizenship through naturalization must have a good command of the state language and knowledge of the country’s culture, history, and customs (known as the “Citizenship Test”). Exemptions may be available under certain circumstances.
  3. Having a stable and sufficient source of income for oneself and each family member.
  4. Providing proof of tax payments and utility bills during the period of residence in the country.
  5. No criminal convictions, administrative fines, or ongoing legal proceedings.
CountryMinimum residency requirement for naturalizationCitizenship test (knowledge of constitution, history, and culture)Dual citizenship allowed
United Kingdom5 years++
Cyprus5 years+
Czech Republic5 years
France5 years++
Malta5 years+
Portugal5 years+
Greece7 years++
Germany8 years+
Austria10 years++
Denmark10 years+
Italy10 years+
Spain10 years+

 

 

Citizenship through investment immigration

 

In 2024, you can obtain EU citizenship quickly in Malta through a significant contribution to the country’s economic development.

A candidate for citizenship must make a non-refundable donation of 600,000 or 750,000 euros, purchase real estate worth at least 700,000 euros or rent a property with a minimum annual fee of 16,000 euros for 5 years, and make a donation of 10,000 euros to a charitable organization.

Learn more about obtaining Maltese citizenship through investment.

Previously, it was possible to obtain Cypriot citizenship through investment, but the program was closed on November 1, 2020.

No other EU countries offer investment programs that lead directly to citizenship. To obtain citizenship through investment or real estate purchase in Portugal, Spain, Italy, France, Greece, and Cyprus, you must first obtain a residence permit or permanent residence through “Golden Visa” or “Investor Visa” programs.

For example, you can obtain citizenship through investment in Portugal and France in 5 years, in Cyprus and Greece in 7 years, and in Italy and Spain in 10 years.

One of the biggest advantages of investment programs is the lack of requirements for permanent residence in the country.

Comparison of Citizenship by Investment Programs in Europe

In which EU countries is dual citizenship allowed?

 

Dual citizenship means that a person holds citizenship of two countries, with both countries mutually recognizing the rights and obligations of their citizens regarding each other.

Obtaining a second citizenship is becoming more common: when a person acquires a passport from another country, they gain citizenship of that country. However, not all countries are willing to recognize this.

Attitude Towards Multiple Passports

 

Attitude towards multiple passportsCountry
Second citizenship allowedBulgaria, Belgium, Hungary, Greece, Denmark, Ireland, Italy, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Finland, France, Croatia, Czech Republic, Sweden, Estonia
Second citizenship prohibitedGermany, Netherlands, Austria, Spain

 

Citizenship in EU countries – Frequently Asked Questions
How to obtain EU citizenship?

EU citizenship and a passport can be obtained based on descent; by birth on the country’s territory under certain conditions; through marriage to an EU citizen; by naturalization after several years of residence with a residence permit as a financially independent foreigner, through business immigration, investments or real estate purchases (Golden Visas), or official employment.

In which country can you obtain EU citizenship the fastest?

Maltese citizenship can be obtained in just 12 or 36 months of residency based on a significant contribution to the economic and social development of the country.

In other EU countries, citizenship can be obtained after several years of holding a residence permit (temporary or permanent).

Portuguese or French citizenship can be obtained after 5 years of residency, Cypriot and Greek citizenship after 7 years, and Italian or Spanish citizenship after 10 years.

Where can you obtain EU citizenship through real estate?

You can obtain EU citizenship through real estate investment programs like the Golden Visa or Investor Visa in the following countries:

  • Greece – property value from €250,000, citizenship in 7 years.
  • Cyprus – property value from €300,000, citizenship in 7 years.
  • Portugal – €500,000 in any type of property, citizenship in 5 years.
  • Spain – property from €500,000, citizenship in 10 years.
  • Malta – property value for citizenship from €700,000 + a donation of €600,000 or €750,000 + a charitable donation of €10,000. Citizenship in 12 or 36 months of residency.
Where is it easiest to obtain EU citizenship?

Portugal offers citizenship in just 5 years of residency, without requiring a citizenship exam (knowledge of the constitution, history, and culture of the country), and with confirmation of basic Portuguese language proficiency at level A2.

Portugal’s Golden Visa program is one of the most popular and fastest ways to obtain EU citizenship. Permanent residency in Portugal is not required for citizenship; it is sufficient to live in Portugal for just 7 days a year. In contrast, obtaining citizenship in France or Spain requires proving residency in the country for more than 183 days per year. Additionally, when applying for Portuguese citizenship, there is no requirement to confirm the investment.

Article author

Anastasia Taran Head of Corporate Services
Ukraine
In 2013, Anastasia Taran graduated with honors from the National University "Odessa Law Academy", earning a Master of Laws degree. She joined Feod Group in 2018 and has since gained extensive experience in international corporate, tax, and immigration law....

In 2013, Anastasia Taran graduated with honors from the National University "Odessa Law Academy", earning a Master of Laws degree. She joined Feod Group in 2018 and has since gained extensive experience in international corporate, tax, and immigration law.

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Having offices in Europe and the USA, Feod Group provides rapid paperwork and maximum customer comfort.

We provide our clients with related services, such as relocation and adaptation abroad, organizing family relocation abroad, enrollment of children in schools and many other services.

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