1. The 7 Benefits of EU Citizenship

Acquiring European Union (EU) citizenship offers comprehensive and life-changing benefits, significantly improving an individual’s quality of life, professional scope, and global access. Firstly, EU membership guarantees rights that extend across 27 member states and the entire Schengen Area.

1.1. High Quality of Life and Stability

EU nationals benefit immensely from political stability, strong economies, and consistently high living standards. They have guaranteed access to high-quality education, universal healthcare, and superior social benefits. Consequently, many EU countries consistently rank among the top in global quality of life indexes, providing safe environments, clean cities, and efficient public services. For example, Finland, Denmark, and the Netherlands are ranked in the top 5 of the 2024 World Happiness Report and are in the top 20 of the 2024 Global Peace Index.

1.2. Visa-Free Travel and Schengen Mobility

An EU passport grants visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to more than 170 countries, which crucially includes the UK, the USA, and Canada. Moreover, citizens can travel freely within the Schengen Area without passport checks or restrictions. This benefit drastically simplifies international travel for business and leisure.

1.3. Having a Plan B for Security

EU citizenship provides a secure alternative in case of an emergency, offering political and economic stability. Therefore, it is widely considered the ultimate ‘Plan B’ for protecting family and assets.

1.4. Work or Business Opportunities

An EU passport grants the right to live and work in any EU country without needing a visa or work permit. Citizens are free to start a business, invest, or take advantage of tax benefits and incentives available across different EU economies. Furthermore, the EU single market eliminates trade barriers, making it significantly easier to expand businesses across borders.

1.5. Studying in Europe

EU citizens can study at European universities at reduced tuition rates or even entirely for free in some countries, such as Germany and Sweden. Additionally, they are eligible for EU-wide scholarships, grants, and student exchange programs like Erasmus+.

1.6. Family Reunification

EU nationals can sponsor family members, including spouses, children, and even parents, for them to get residency or citizenship in the EU. In essence, family members gain access to education, healthcare, and employment opportunities, ensuring they can live together under the same legal rights and protections.

1.7. Access to Healthcare Services

Citizens can access healthcare services while traveling within the EU under the same conditions as local residents.

2. Residency Duration Required for Citizenship in the EU

The criteria to obtain a second citizenship vary significantly across different countries. Many nations require new citizens to demonstrate proficiency in the native language through an exam and pass a test on the country’s history and culture. However, for investors, the focus is often on the minimum duration an applicant must legally reside in a country before starting the naturalisation process.

2.1. Malta Citizenship in 1, 3, or 5 years

Malta offers several pathways to citizenship, including naturalisation, birth and descent, marriage, registration, and the path for exceptional services. Generally speaking, for individuals without family ties, standard naturalisation typically takes about five years.

Standard Naturalisation Requirements:

To be eligible, a foreigner must:

  • Be at least 18 years old.
  • Demonstrate sufficient proficiency in English or Maltese.
  • Have a legal source of income.
  • Not be subject to any sanctions and have a clean criminal record.
  • Have never been denied a visa by countries that have a visa-free arrangement with Malta.
  • Have two sponsors who are not relatives to support the application.

Expedited Path (CES/NESDI) Requirements:

The path to a Maltese passport can be shortened to 1 or 3 years by obtaining Malta citizenship by naturalisation for exceptional services, by direct investment.

  1. Investment in the Malta National Development and Social Fund (NDSF):
    • A minimum investment of €600,000 allows the investor to apply for citizenship after three years of residency.
    • By increasing the investment to €750,000, the residency requirement is reduced to one year.
  2. Real Estate Investment: The investor must commit to property in Malta for five years, choosing either to purchase real estate valued at a minimum of €700,000 or opt for a rental agreement with a minimum annual rent of €16,000.
  3. Charitable Contribution: The investor is required to donate €10,000 to non-governmental organisations.
  4. Family Inclusion: Investors can include their spouse/partner, dependent unmarried children under 29, and dependent parents/grandparents over 55. However, each family member requires an additional investment of €50,000.
  5. Due Diligence: Malta applies a rigorous Due Diligence process, including the first police clearance from Maltese Authorities, with checks against Europol and Interpol databases.

2.2. France Citizenship in 2, 3 or 5 years

France offers various pathways to citizenship, including through marriage, descent, birth, adoption, or naturalisation. To clarify, to get a French passport by naturalisation, one must have been living in France on the basis of a residence permit for five years prior to the year of applying for citizenship.

Key Requirements:

Applicants for naturalisation are required to demonstrate

  • Sufficient and stable resources.
  • Integration into the French way of life.
  • Proficiency in French, both oral and written, at least at the B1 level
  • Law-abiding behaviour.
  • Ownership or rental of housing in France.

Expedited Paths:

The citizenship process can be reduced via several paths:

  • Individuals with outstanding contributions (sports, economics, science, or art) may be eligible for citizenship within 2 years.
  • Family reunification can reduce the process to 3 years.
  • University graduates may apply for citizenship after 5 years of residence, but this period is reduced to 2 years if the student excels academically.
  • Service in the French Foreign Legion allows men to apply for citizenship after 3 years of service.

Key Benefits of France Citizenship:

  • Global Economic Power: Access to the world’s 7th-largest GDP and a strong business environment.
  • High Social Standards: Benefits from universal healthcare and a high standard of education, including top-tier universities like the Sorbonne.
  • Expedited Options: Citizenship is accessible in as little as 2 years for those with outstanding contributions or 3 years via the Foreign Legion.

2.3. Portugal Citizenship in 5 years

Portuguese citizenship is accessible to foreigners who have legally resided in Portugal for at least five years with a residence permit. Furthermore, applicants must demonstrate basic proficiency in the Portuguese language (at least A2 level).

  • Portugal Golden Visa: This program provides a path to residency with a minimum investment of €250,000. A significant advantage is that permanent residence requires a minimum residency of just seven days per year.

Key Benefits of Portugal Citizenship:

  • Minimal Physical Stay: The Golden Visa program requires a minimum residency of just seven days per year over the 5-year period for naturalisation.
  • High Safety Index: Portugal ranks as one of the safest countries globally (7th in Global Peace Index 2024).
  • Dual Citizenship Allowed: Applicants can generally keep their original nationality.

2.4. Bulgaria Citizenship in 5 years

Bulgaria citizenship by naturalisation requires the applicant to be at least 18 years old and have held a long-term or permanent residence permit for a minimum of 5 years. In addition, applicants must be proficient in Bulgarian and possess a stable source of income.

Key Benefits of Bulgarian Citizenship:

  • Lower Cost Entry: The Golden Visa path requires a minimum investment of €513,000 in specific funds.
  • European Gateway: Bulgaria is an EU member, offering free movement rights across the union.
  • Competitive Tax Rates: Benefits from one of the lowest corporate tax rates in the EU.

2.5. Ireland Citizenship in 5 years

Residing in Ireland for five years is the most straightforward method to become a citizen for those without Irish ancestry. Notably, there is no language test or examination of Irish history or culture required. Ireland permits dual citizenship.

Key Benefits of Ireland Citizenship:

  • No Language/History Test: The naturalisation process does not require passing an official exam on language or culture.
  • UK-EU Access: Unique access to both the EU Single Market and the UK Common Travel Area (CTA).
  • Dual Citizenship Allowed: Ireland fully permits dual citizenship.

2.6. Luxembourg Citizenship in 5 years

To acquire Luxembourg citizenship by naturalisation, applicants must legally reside there for five continuous years leading up to the application. Moreover, they must pass a test in Luxembourgish or complete a language course, and undertake a course providing an understanding of the country’s history and fundamental human rights. Luxembourg permits dual citizenship.

Key Benefits of Luxembourg Citizenship:

  • High Income & Stability: Access to one of the world’s highest per capita income countries and a major financial centre.
  • Dual Citizenship Allowed: Luxembourg permits individuals to hold two passports.
  • Strategic Location: Central position in Western Europe, facilitating easy business across France, Germany, and Belgium.

2.7. Netherlands Citizenship in 5 years

Foreign citizens can apply for Dutch citizenship after legally residing in the Netherlands for at least five years. Typically, acquiring Dutch citizenship requires renouncing any other nationality held.

Key Benefits of Netherlands Citizenship:

  • Strong Economy: Access to a highly stable and innovative economy.
  • High Quality of Life: Known for excellent infrastructure, education, and social tolerance.
  • Gateway to Europe: Excellent international transport links and a business-friendly environment.

2.8. Sweden Citizenship in 5 years

To obtain a Swedish passport, one must reside in Sweden for five years prior to starting the citizenship application process. However, no exams are required. Sweden permits dual citizenship.

Key Benefits of Sweden Citizenship:

  • No Language Exam: Naturalisation does not require passing an official language or civics exam.
  • High Social Benefits: Access to a generous welfare system, including free public healthcare and education.
  • Dual Citizenship Allowed: Sweden fully allows applicants to retain their existing citizenship.

2.9. Finland Citizenship in 6 years

To acquire a Finnish passport through naturalisation, one must have resided in Finland for a total of six years, with initial residency on a permit, followed by permanent residence. Furthermore, applicants must demonstrate proficiency in Finnish or Swedish at the B1 level.

Key Benefits of Finland Citizenship:

  • High Happiness & Stability: Consistently ranked as one of the happiest and most politically stable nations globally.
  • Free Education: Access to virtually free higher education for all citizens.
  • Strong Social Security: Excellent welfare system and universal healthcare coverage.

2.10. Greece Citizenship in 7 years

To obtain Greece citizenship, a foreigner must maintain legal residence for several years, followed by permanent residency, for a total of seven years. Hence, securing permanent residency requires holding a temporary residence permit for a minimum of five years and demonstrating a basic understanding of the Greek language.

Key Benefits of Greece Citizenship:

  • Cultural Hub: Access to a rich historical and cultural heritage.
  • Permanent Residency Option: The Golden Visa offers a path to permanent residency through property investment, which can lead to citizenship after seven years.
  • Mediterranean Lifestyle: Enjoy a favourable climate and European quality of life.

2.11. Spain Citizenship in 10 years

To acquire Spanish citizenship by naturalisation, one must have resided in Spain for at least ten years, which comprises five years with a temporary residence permit followed by five years with a permanent residence. Spain generally does not permit dual citizenship, but there are exceptions for certain groups like Sephardic Jews.

Benefits:

EU and Latin America Access: Strong cultural and business ties with Latin American countries.

High Quality of Life: Excellent climate, healthcare, and infrastructure.

Residency by Investment: Offers a ‘Golden Visa’ (residency) path through real estate investment.

2.12. Cyprus Citizenship in 10 years

A foreigner can acquire Cypriot citizenship by naturalisation after 10 years of legal residency, with a requirement of physical presence for at least seven of those years. Moreover, proficiency in the Greek language at a minimum B1 level is required.

Benefits:

  • Strategic Location: Geographically located at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and Africa, beneficial for business.
  • Favourable Tax Regime: One of the most tax-efficient jurisdictions in the EU.
  • Eurozone Member: Benefits from membership in the Eurozone.

2.13. Italy, Latvia, and Hungary

Several other EU countries also mandate significant residency periods before naturalisation:

  • Italy, Latvia, and other countries require 10 years of residency.
  • Hungary requires 11 years of residency.

3. Hardest EU Countries to Get Second Citizenship

Based on the duration of residency required before naturalisation, the European countries where acquiring citizenship is most challenging are those mandating 10 years or more of continuous residence. For instance, these five countries generally require at least 10 years of continuous residence:

  • Austria
  • Czechia
  • Lithuania
  • Poland
  • Slovenia

Furthermore, applicants in these countries must show proof of financial independence, integration into the country’s society, and knowledge of the official language and culture.

4. Conclusion: What are the Easiest Countries to Get Citizenship in Europe

The residency requirement for EU citizenship by naturalisation ranges from 1 to 11 years, depending on the country.

  • Malta offers citizenship by naturalisation for exceptional services through direct investment, allowing applicants to acquire citizenship in 1 to 3 years with a minimum investment of €690,000 (Note: Investment details are subject to regulation changes, see Part 2 for current breakdown).
  • Most EU countries require applicants to demonstrate proficiency in the national language and knowledge of the country’s culture and laws.
  • Several EU countries, including Malta, Portugal, and Hungary, permit dual citizenship, allowing applicants to retain their original nationality.
  • Investment-based residence permits are widely available in many EU countries, such as the Portugal Golden Visa and Greece Golden Visa.

5. Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the minimum residency required for citizenship in the EU?

A: The minimum residency requirement varies widely. Malta offers the shortest path for investors, starting at 1 year under the exceptional services by direct investment route (with a minimum investment of at least €750,000).

Q: Do I need to renounce my original citizenship for Malta?

A: No, Malta permits dual citizenship, allowing individuals to retain their original nationality alongside Malta citizenship.

Q: Can family members be included in the Malta citizenship application?

A: Yes, investors can include their spouse or partner, dependent unmarried children under 29, and dependent parents and grandparents over 55.

Disclaimer

The information provided in this article regarding residency durations, investment amounts (€600,000 to €750,000 for Malta), and legal requirements is based on current regulations at the time of publication. However, immigration laws and investment programs (like the Portugal Golden Visa) are subject to frequent change.

Schengen Visit Visa does not provide legal advice. All content here is for informational purposes only. We strongly advise consulting with a qualified immigration lawyer or official government sources before making any financial or legal commitment related to citizenship or residency