European citizenship opens up many opportunities and prospects for you. With an EU passport, you can travel, live and work at the territory of the association without obtaining additional permits. Among other advantages of EU citizenship are social guarantees, visa-free regime with more than 160 countries in the world, access to quality medicine, insurance and education on a free or discounted basis. Also, having an EU passport allows you to use government programs to support business and lending on favorable terms.

Obtaining EU citizenship is available in several ways – the most common among them is naturalization. This procedure implies long-term residence in the country on legal grounds (usually 5-10 years). In some countries it is possible to obtain citizenship more easily by reducing the mandatory period of stay after investing in the economy – this option is available in Cyprus and Malta. Also, in a number of EU countries there are simplified programs that guarantee the fastest passport issuance on the basis of ethnic or territorial affiliation.

Main ways of obtaining citizenship in the EU countries

There are several options for obtaining a passport of an EU country – they differ significantly in terms of time and requirements for candidates. Not every method allows you to obtain EU citizenship quickly, because in this matter not the least role is played by financial possibilities, origin, education of the candidate. Below we will consider the main options for obtaining a passport in the states of the European Union.

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Naturalization

The procedure implies obtaining citizenship after living in the country for a period regulated by law, at the same time, you will have to pre-register a temporary and/or permanent residence permit. The general requirements for those who apply for acquisition of citizenship by naturalization are as follows:

• residence in the country from 5 to 10 years (depending on the laws of a particular state);
• knowledge of the state language at the everyday level;
• knowledge of the country’s history, traditions and constitution;
• own or rented housing;
• integration into society, participation in social life;
• availability of financial means for living, stable income;
• absence of criminal record.

Naturalization in most countries implies renunciation of citizenship of the country of origin, as well as passing integration and language tests.

Repatriation

Repatriation is an easy path to citizenship that is available to those who have ties to the people or country where the new status is being formalized. Ancestral birth certificates can be used as proof of ethnic or territorial ties. This method of immigration is best suited for those who are interested in how they can quickly obtain EU citizenship.

To participate in the repatriation program, you need to have close relatives (usually up to great-grandparents) who had a passport of an EU country or were born/lived on its territory. The procedure itself does not take long and is quite easy compared to naturalization.

The terms of the repatriation procedure differ depending on the legislation of the country, but, as a rule, it takes up to 14 months. Sometimes the candidate is not even required to reside in the territory of the EU state. In many countries, when applying for a passport under such programs, it is allowed to retain the original citizenship. In addition, the candidate does not need to demonstrate the amount of income and availability of housing in the state. For these reasons, repatriation is considered an easy way to obtain citizenship.

Investment programs

EU states do not grant citizenship simply for investment in their economy, but some of them offer those who wish to do so the opportunity to obtain a residence permit with subsequent shortened naturalization.

The amount of minimum investments is regulated by local legislation, and their purpose can vary from educational institutions to public funds and real estate. For example, in Portugal it is possible to invest in various assets (shares/stock items/company creation) – 500 000 EUR, in Spain – 500 000 EUR to purchase housing, in Greece – 250 000-500 000 EUR to purchase or long-term rent of real estate and get a residence permit on this basis.

But even making a monetary contribution to the economy does not give an opportunity to buy a passport in the EU – it allows only to obtain a residence permit with subsequent reduced (not everywhere) naturalization. This way can be chosen by investors who open a business in the territory of a European state. Important aspects in this case are the size of the authorized capital and the creation of jobs, the number of which is specified in the local legislation (for example, in Portugal – 10). The minimum period of residence in the country for investors is usually halved compared to standard naturalization.

There are also methods of simply obtaining EU citizenship that do not require investment. Learn more about simplified immigration programs by contacting our international law specialists. Based on their extensive experience and good knowledge of the nuances of the law, qualified lawyers will help you become an EU citizen within 4 to 14 months.

Countries with the easiest procedures for obtaining citizenship

Some countries in the European Union have simplified immigration programs with more loyal requirements than the usual naturalization. Below we will look at where it is easiest to obtain citizenship in a short period of time and without significant investment.

Romania

The fastest way to obtain a Romanian passport is through repatriation, whereby the applicant is required to be specifically territorially affiliated with the country. This means that you must have direct line ancestors up to and including the third degree who lived in Romania before 1940. Due to the division of territories and substantial migration in European countries during World War II, many applicants have the option of this method of citizenship.

In addition to simply obtaining a Romanian passport another advantage of repatriation is the ability to retain the citizenship of your country of origin, also you are not required to reside in the state and can remain abroad. Registration of Romanian citizenship under the simplified program takes about 14 months and is carried out quite easily with the support of experienced lawyers. Globalcitizenpass professionals will help you to collect a comprehensive dossier and will accompany you throughout the entire procedure until you receive your Romanian passport.

Bulgaria

The Bulgarian Citizenship Act provides for the granting of a passport by repatriation to those who prove their descent from local citizens. The repatriation procedure does not require large investments, and it is the fastest way to obtain citizenship in the country – it can be done within 12 months.

Slovenia

The country offers quite simple citizenship to Slovenian emigrants and their descendants up to the fourth degree, as well as members of the indigenous Slovenian national community abroad. Repatriates are allowed to hold a second citizenship, so you do not need to renounce your current status.

In order to successfully complete the repatriation procedure, it is important for members of the Slovenian community to demonstrate a personal connection to the country and the people, with a minimum of 5 years of active involvement in foreign organizations, communities and associations of Slovenes. When considering an application for citizenship, special attention is paid to letters of recommendation from national associations and structures. The repatriation procedure can be completed in up to 12 months, provided that the applicant submits a complete set of documents and meets the legal requirements.

Portugal

The easiest way to obtain Portuguese citizenship is to obtain a residence permit for investments of 250 000 EUR or more in the economy of the state. To obtain a residence permit you need to purchase real estate in the country or demonstrate your intention to invest in public or private assets. It is allowed to carry out investment activities independently, as well as through a company registered in the territory of the state or the EU. To begin registration of citizenship of the country, you need to live in Portugal for 5 years, after which you can submit the appropriate application to the Migration Service.

Greece

According to the legislation of Greece, investors from other countries are entitled to a local residence permit without the right to work. The residence permit is issued for 5 years on condition of owning real estate in the state, purchased or long-term rented tourist accommodation worth from 250 000 EUR to 500 000 EUR. To obtain Greek citizenship, an investor must have a local residence permit for 7 years, and permanent residence in the country is not necessary.

For comparison, you can consider several criteria of countries with simplified immigration programs to understand which citizenship is easier to obtain in the EU:

Since repatriation is a quick acquisition of citizenship of another country, it is quite obvious that it is popular among immigrants. Investing in the Greek or Portuguese economy, on the other hand, only gives you a residence permit, which does not give you the full range of rights of an EU passport holder. In most EU countries you can get a passport only by naturalization procedure after a certain period of residence in the country, which is quite expensive and time-consuming.

Advantages of simplified citizenship programs

Repatriation, as a way of obtaining European citizenship, has a number of significant advantages over standard naturalization:

• shorter timeframe for obtaining a passport;
• no need to know the state language in some countries;
• less requirements;
• minimal or no mandatory period of residence;
• small amount of expenses for citizenship registration due to the absence of costs for long-term residence and regular renewal of residence permits;
• possibility of residence permits for family members with the prospect of obtaining citizenship through a shortened naturalization procedure.

Simplified immigration programs may include additional requirements, which each state determines on its own.

How to choose the best country and program

In order to choose the best country and program for immigration, it is wise to contact an international law specialist who will offer options based on your personal circumstances and compliance with the requirements of the legislation of a particular state. Since investment programs do not allow you to obtain citizenship cheaply, experts will help you take advantage of other, more financially affordable immigration options.

A free consultation will give you a lot of useful information about the available immigration options. You will be able to find out how to get EU citizenship quickly, and this will be the first step towards the desired result.