Having citizenship from the European Union (EU) brings many benefits. In addition to being able to live in some of the best economies in the world, enjoying a high quality of life, those who hold a European passport can travel without a traditional visa to most countries around the world.
Data shows that in 2021 alone, 827,000 people acquired citizenship from one of the EU countries, an increase of nearly 14%, or 98,300 more people than in 2020. 85% of them were citizens of a non-EU country or stateless.
One of the main pathways through which foreigners become EU citizens is naturalization through residency in a specific EU country. Through this route, foreigners must reside for a certain period in that country and meet various conditions before applying for citizenship by naturalization.
Check below the requirements for naturalization by residency in each of the countries that are part of the EU:
Austria
Citizenship through naturalization is possible in Austria for foreigners who have lived in the country for at least 30 continuous years. This extremely long period, however, can be shortened to at least fifteen years if the foreign resident demonstrates successful personal and professional integration in the country and to ten years if the resident meets the following conditions:
• has sufficient financial means/stable income
• has no criminal record
• has sufficient knowledge of the German language and a positive attitude towards the Republic of Austria
Belgium
In Belgium, foreigners must be 18 years or older, reside in the country legally for an uninterrupted period of five years, in addition to proving that they are integrated into the country. This means they will need to show that they master the language, are socially integrated, and participate in the country’s economy.
Bulgaria
Bulgaria also allows non-EU citizens over 18 years old to obtain Bulgarian citizenship after living for five years with a permanent or long-term residence permit.
However, there are other conditions to obtain citizenship in Bulgaria. Candidates must prove that they have never been convicted of any crime, that they are financially stable, and that they know the Bulgarian language. The Bulgarian language exam is organized by the Ministry of Culture itself, and residents who fail cannot obtain citizenship, even if they meet all other conditions.
Croatia
In Croatia, a period of eight years of continuous legal residence is required to apply for Croatian citizenship. Foreigners aged 18 or older can apply for Croatian citizenship if they have no police record and are financially stable. They must also pass two tests, one in the Croatian language and one on culture. Renouncing previous citizenship is also mandatory.
Cyprus
Cyprus offers citizenship by naturalization for those who have legally resided in its territory for a period of seven years. The period is reduced to five if the applicant is a parent or child of a Cypriot citizen. The applicant must have a clean criminal record.
Czech Republic
The Czech Republic is on the list of EU countries that allow foreigners to obtain citizenship after just five consecutive years in the country. Every foreigner needs to meet some prerequisites to obtain Czech citizenship, including being well integrated into society and not posing a threat to the security of the state, its sovereignty, and territorial integrity.
Denmark
Foreigners in Denmark must live there for a period of nine uninterrupted years before they can apply for citizenship. Additionally, they need to prove that they are self-sufficient and that, in the five years prior to the application, they have not received any assistance from Danish authorities. They must not have any outstanding debts to public authorities. As in other countries, they must provide proof of a clean criminal record. Proficiency in the Danish language is also mandatory.
Estonia
Foreigners who have resided in Estonia for at least eight years with a residence permit can apply for citizenship in the country. Other requirements include passing an Estonian language proficiency exam, proven income, and proof of loyalty to the Estonian state.
Finland
Finnish citizenship is granted to all applicants who have resided in the country for a period of five uninterrupted years. Satisfactory oral and written skills in one of the following languages are also required: Finnish, Swedish, Finnish Sign Language, or Finnish Swedish. Knowledge of one of these languages must be proven through a certificate accepted by Finnish authorities.
France
Foreigners can apply for French residency after just five years in the country. As in other countries, you also need to prove ‘sufficient and stable resources’ to live in the country, show your integration into the French way of life, and prove that you understand, speak, and write French to a certain level.
Germany
Germany grants citizenship to foreign residents only after they have lived in its territory for a period of eight years. For those who successfully complete an integration course, this period is reduced to seven years. Sufficient proficiency in the German language, familiarity with the legal system, and adaptation to the German way of life are also required, along with a clean criminal record and the ability to support oneself financially.
Greece
People over 18 can obtain Greek citizenship after living seven consecutive years in Greece or residing legally for five years. Those married to Greek citizens, as well as nationals from other EU countries, can obtain citizenship in this country after just three years of continuous residence. Mandatory conditions also include knowledge of the Greek language, participation in political life, and harmonious integration into the economic and social life of the country.
Hungary
Eight years of continuous residence in Hungary is sufficient for a person to apply for Hungarian citizenship if other conditions are also met. Good character, a clean criminal record, and passing a basic constitutional studies test of the country are required. Those who started living in Hungary before the age of 18 can obtain citizenship after just five years, provided that other conditions are also met.
Iceland
Foreigners are entitled to Icelandic citizenship if they have legal domicile and continuous residence in Iceland for seven years. By continuous residence, Icelandic authorities mean that the foreigner must not have stayed abroad for more than 90 days in total in each 12-month period. Passing an Icelandic language test is mandatory, as well as having sufficient financial means to support oneself. Receiving financial assistance from a municipality in the last three years before the application deprives foreigners of the right to acquire Icelandic citizenship.
Ireland
Ireland requires foreigners to prove that they have legally and continuously resided in its territory for a minimum period of five years before applying for citizenship. They must have a clean criminal record, with no traffic fines, no pending criminal cases, and no ongoing investigations.
Italy
In addition to a clean criminal record and sufficient financial means, Italy requires foreigners to have lived in its territory for at least ten years before obtaining Italian citizenship. This makes Italy one of the countries with the longest residency requirement in the EU. Adopted children of an Italian citizen can obtain citizenship after seven years, while nationals from other EU countries can do so after four years.
Latvia
People aged 15 or older can acquire Latvian citizenship if they live in the country with a permanent residence permit for a period of five years. It is also mandatory for candidates to have a good command of the Latvian language, knowledge of the history and culture of Latvia, and the basic principles of the Constitution of the Republic of Latvia; as well as the text of the National Anthem. The ability to support oneself financially for those over 18 is also required.
Lithuania
Lithuanian citizenship can be acquired by those who have legally resided in Lithuania for at least ten years. Foreigners need to take an oath of loyalty to the Republic of Lithuania to become Lithuanian citizens. Passing an exam on the fundamentals of the Lithuanian language and the Constitution is also mandatory, along with proving that they have sufficient financial resources.
Malta
Citizenship by naturalization in Malta can be obtained after seven years in the country. Foreigners must have lived with a residence permit in the 12 months prior to the citizenship application, and for an aggregate period of four years in the six years preceding those 12 months. Adequate knowledge of the Maltese or English language is required.
Netherlands
Living in the Netherlands with a permanent residence permit for at least five years allows foreigners to apply for Dutch citizenship. However, passing the civic integration exam is mandatory, as well as reading, writing, speaking, and understanding Dutch at a sufficient level. The candidate must not pose a danger to public order or national security of the Netherlands and must renounce their previous citizenship.
Norway
To obtain Norwegian citizenship, foreigners must have lived in Norway for a total of eight of the eleven years prior to the application and possess a valid residence permit for at least one year. For those aged 18 to 67, an oral test in Norwegian is required. Foreigners who have been convicted or fined by the police, as well as those who are under criminal investigation, may have to wait longer to obtain Norwegian citizenship.
Poland
Poland is the EU country that grants citizenship to foreigners with the shortest residency time compared to other EU members. In Poland, a foreigner can acquire nationality after just three years with a permanent residence permit, provided they have a stable source of income. This period is reduced to two years if the foreigner is married to a Polish citizen or a stateless person.
Portugal
According to Portuguese laws, citizenship by naturalization in this country can be acquired after five years of legal residence in the territory of the country. The foreigner must have sufficient knowledge of the Portuguese language and must not have been convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for more than one year under Portuguese law.
Romania
To obtain Romanian citizenship, a foreigner must prove that they have lived in this country for at least eight years with a temporary residence permit. Loyalty to the Romanian state, a clean criminal record, sufficient knowledge of the Romanian language, and basic knowledge of Romanian culture and civilization, as well as the ability to support oneself financially, are the main conditions.
Slovakia
Foreigners living in Slovakia with permanent residence for at least eight uninterrupted years can apply for Slovak citizenship. Applicants are required to prove that they have knowledge of the Slovak language and general knowledge of the Slovak Republic and that they have a clean criminal record.
Slovenia
The conditions for obtaining Slovenian citizenship are quite strict compared to most EU countries, as the laws of this country stipulate that one must have lived in Slovenia for at least ten years, including a continuous period of residence of five years before the application. This period is reduced to seven years for those who have completed higher education in Slovenia and to three years if the applicant is married to a Slovenian citizen.
Spain
Spain also requires foreigners to live in its territory for a longer period before qualifying for citizenship, which reaches ten consecutive years with a valid residence permit, although they do not need to remain in the country the entire time.
Citizens from the following countries, on the other hand, can apply for citizenship only after two years in Spain: Mexico, Peru, Argentina, Philippines, Cuba, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Venezuela, Panama, and Paraguay
Sweden
Those over 18 who have lived in Sweden with a permanent residence permit for five consecutive years qualify to apply for Swedish citizenship. Those in a registered partnership or cohabiting with a Swedish citizen can obtain citizenship in a shorter period of three years. Candidates must prove that they have no outstanding debts or have committed crimes in Sweden. Those who have not paid taxes, fines, or other fees and who have not made pension payments may have their applications rejected.
Switzerland
After ten years living in Switzerland with a permanent residence permit, foreigners can submit an application for Swiss citizenship. Other main conditions for becoming a Swiss citizen include successful integration and familiarity with Swiss society and culture, as well as not posing a threat to the internal or external security of Switzerland.
Source: www.schengenvisainfo.com