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Citizenship in the European Union (EU) grants the right to work, travel, and study in any EU member state without requiring a visa. Acquiring EU citizenship can take several years. To achieve this, you must apply for naturalization in an EU country. The naturalization process varies by country. Generally, you need to reside in the host country for several years, gather evidence of eligibility for citizenship, and submit an application. You may also be required to pass citizenship and language tests, as well as pay application fees. If you have lived in an EU country for a significant period, you are likely eligible for naturalization.
Steps
Meet the Naturalization Requirements
Reside in an EU Member State. If you do not already live in an EU country, you will need to move to one and become a resident there. Immigration is a serious and costly decision: you must apply for a visa, find a job, learn a new language, and live in the host country for several years.
- The EU has 28 member states. Becoming a citizen of any of these countries grants you EU citizenship. However, the requirements for citizenship vary by country.
- Remember that not all European countries are part of the EU. Moving to Norway, North Macedonia, or Switzerland will not grant you EU citizenship.
- Note that the United Kingdom is no longer an EU member. Obtaining citizenship in the UK does not grant you EU citizenship.
Determine the required residency period for naturalization in an EU country. Most countries require at least 5 years of permanent residency, while others may demand a longer duration. Verify this information before applying for citizenship.
- For example, you must live in Germany for 8 years to obtain a German passport. In France, only 5 years of residency are required.
Consider your spouse's citizenship. If your spouse is a citizen of an EU country, you may qualify for citizenship through marriage. Depending on the country, marrying an EU citizen can reduce the residency period required before applying for naturalization.
- In Sweden, you typically need to reside for 5 years before applying for citizenship. However, if you are married or in a registered partnership with a Swedish citizen, the residency requirement drops to 3 years.
Learn the official language of the country where you reside. Many EU member states have language requirements for naturalization. Some countries may require language classes, while others may mandate passing a basic language test. Below are some countries with language conditions or testing requirements:
- Hungary
- Germany
- Latvia
- Romania
- Denmark
Check if you have ancestry in an EU member state. Some EU countries allow children or grandchildren of citizens to become citizens, even if they do not reside in those countries. This principle is known as jus sanguinis (right of blood).
- Ireland, Italy, and Greece permit children and grandchildren of citizens to naturalize. Hungary even allows great-grandchildren to claim citizenship.
- In Germany, you can only naturalize this way if your parents were citizens.
- Some countries have time-based conditions for when your ancestors left the country. For example, in Poland, you can naturalize if your grandparents or parents left after 1951. In Spain, they must have left between 1936 and 1955.
Apply for Naturalization
Gather your documents. Make copies of important paperwork. Do not submit originals. While requirements vary by country, you will typically need the following:
- Birth certificate copy
- Current passport copy
- Proof of residence, such as employment records, bank statements, travel documents, or official correspondence with your address.
- Employment proof, like a signed letter from your employer. If retired or self-employed, provide financial documents to demonstrate financial stability.
- If married to a citizen of the host country, include marriage evidence, such as a marriage certificate, children's birth certificates, and family photos.
Complete the application. This form is usually available on the immigration website of the host country. Read it carefully before filling it out. While the form varies by country, you will generally need to provide:
- Full name
- Current and past addresses
- Date of birth
- Current nationality
- Education details
- Residency duration in the host country
- Family information, including parents, spouse, and children
Pay the application fee. You may need to cover processing fees, which differ by country. Examples include:
- Ireland: 175 euros (approximately 4,500,000 VND)
- Germany: 255 euros (approximately 6,500,000 VND)
- Sweden: 1,500 Krona (approximately 3,700,000 VND)
- Spain: 60-100 euros (approximately 1,600,000 to 2,600,000 VND)
Take the citizenship test. This test assesses your knowledge of the host country's customs, language, laws, history, and culture. While short, it is a requirement for naturalization in many EU member states.
- For example, in Germany, you will answer 33 questions about German history, laws, and culture. You must answer at least 17 correctly.
- The test is conducted in the host country's official language.
Attend a court session or interview if required. In some countries, a judge or police officer will interview you before granting citizenship. After completing your application, you will be notified of the time and location of the session or interview.
Attend the naturalization ceremony. Most countries hold a ceremony for new citizens. During this event, you will take an oath of allegiance. You may receive a naturalization certificate confirming your new citizenship. Once you gain citizenship in an EU country, you automatically become an EU citizen.
- Typically, you will know the result of your application within 3 months of submission, though this period may be longer in some countries.
- Naturalization ceremonies are often held in major cities or the capital.
- Attending the ceremony is usually a mandatory step to finalize your citizenship.
Improve Your Application
Avoid prolonged absences from the host country. You must maintain continuous residency in the country where you are applying for citizenship. This means you can only live outside the country for a limited period. If you leave for more than a few weeks per year, you may no longer meet the residency requirements.
- For example, leaving France for more than 6 months could disqualify you from naturalization.
Increase your annual income. Most countries require a minimum income level for naturalization. Some nations may demand proof of employment within the country. If applying through marriage and not employed, you may need to provide your spouse's employment details.
- For instance, in Denmark, you must prove you can support yourself and your family without relying on government assistance, such as housing benefits or social welfare.
- If you are a student, these requirements may differ. You might need to graduate and secure full-time employment to meet the criteria.
Purchase property in your host country. Owning a home or land in the country where you are applying for citizenship can improve your chances. In some countries, such as Greece, Latvia, Portugal, or Cyprus, owning a certain amount of property may grant you citizenship rights.
Tips
- Several countries, such as Cyprus or Austria, allow citizenship through government investment, but the investment must be worth at least one million euros (approximately 25.2 billion VND).
- Citizenship laws vary by country. Ensure you thoroughly research and understand the laws of the country where you wish to naturalize.
- Holding dual citizenship, including one from an EU member state, grants you EU citizenship rights.
- If you gain citizenship in Austria, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Latvia, or Lithuania, you must renounce your previous citizenship.
Warnings
- If you have a criminal record, you may be ineligible for naturalization.
