There are some countries in Europe that offer citizenship easily. In this news blog, we will give you a list of at least seven countries in Europe that offer citizenship easily, either through investment or through work, etc.
1. Portugal
Golden Visa Program: Portugal Golden visa program is one of great program throughout Europe that offers Non-EU citizens residency and citizenship by investing in real estate, creating jobs, or transferring capital.
Residency Requirements: If you maintain your residency for five years and pay the tax properly, at least 6 complete taxes for a year until five. You can be eligible to apply for permanent residency, which will lead to applying for citizenship or a passport after that.
Pathway to Citizenship: After five years of residency, you can apply for citizenship, and the good thing is the language requirements for citizenship are not that tight. As Portugal is one of the countries that gives you citizenship very easily, most foreigners consider Portugal in their first option if they really want to get citizenship without any effort because of the fewer restrictions and other barriers.
2. Malta
Citizenship by Investment: If you invest a significant amount in the country’s economy, typically through real estate, or any other way, by opening a SME in Malta that creates jobs and business for the country, you can be eligible to apply for citizenship after a specific period of time.
Investment Requirements: There are many ways you can use the investment options, e.g., you have to contribute to the National Development and Social Fund, make property purchases or rentals, and make additional investments in businesses, e.g., big stores, hotels, restaurants, and other businesses.
Residency Requirement: If you want to apply for permanent residency, which will of course lead to citizenship, then you have to have a legal residence in the country for at least 12–36 months before applying for citizenship. After Portugal, Malta should be your second option if you are looking for citizenship in Europe or other countries.
3. Greece
Golden Visa Program: Greece also offers Golden Visa to investors; e.g., if you invest in real estate worth at least €250,000 in Greece, you can be eligible to apply for citizenship after a certain period of time that we will mention below.
Residency Requirements: If you continue your investment in Greece, you can easily renew your residence permit or residence card every five years.
Pathway to Citizenship: When you complete your seven years of residency in Greece, you are, of course, eligible to apply for citizenship. However, you must remember that you have to pass the language and integration tests.
4. Spain
Golden Visa Program: Just like other European countries, Spain also has a golden visa program for foreigners. E.g., if you invest in real estate worth at least €500,000, you can start your journey toward getting Spanish citizenship after completing certain requirements, which we will discuss below.
Residency Requirements: If you keep your investment that generates revenue and pay the tax to the government, then you can keep renewing your residence permit every two years.
Pathway to Citizenship: After ten years of residency, you can apply for citizenship. However, you still need to have language and integration test, just like other European countries.
5. Cyprus
Citizenship by Investment: Cyprus is one of the European countries that also offers you citizenship based on your investment. This could be any kind of investment, e.g. a substantial investment in real estate, businesses, etc.
Investment Requirements: Investment of €2 million in real estate or other approved investments is important for you to get eligible for citizenship in Cyprus. Remember that Cyprus is not included in the Schengen Zone but, of course, is a part of European Union.
Residency Requirements: you first get your Permanent residency and the investment you made in Cyprus must be maintained for five years. Once you complete this, you can start your application process for citizenship in Cyprus.
6. Norway
Work Visa program: if you moved to Norway on the work visa and worked for three years in Norway in proper way, e.g. paid tax properly, did not stay without work during this period. You can apply for Permanent residency, which will lead to citizenship afterwards.
Residency Requirements: you have to renew your residence permit after a year or two on the basis of your work contract You are eligible to apply for permanent residency after three year.
Pathway to citizenship: once you get your permanent residency, three years after that, you can apply and consider your application for citizenship, but of course you also need to pass the language test as well as the integration test, which is also needed for permanent residency.
7. Poland
Work Visa Program: Just like Norway, if you move to Poland on the basis of work permit and continue your legal stay, you can apply for citizenship in Poland Even Poland, citizenship is not easy to get, just like other scheme countries like Portugal, Malta, etc.
Residency Requirement: Once you move to Poland, you get your residence permit for 1 to 3 years, and after 3 years of residence, you can renew your residence permit based on your work in Poland. After completing five years and having a proper tax rate, you can apply for an EU long-term residency permit or card.
Path to Citizenship: After you get permanent residency, you can, of course, submit your application for citizenship, but for this, you need to pass both the language and integration tests, which is not as simple as in other countries. However, if you pass this integration test, you can get citizenship.
Key Note for Readers
These are the 7 countries that offer you citizenship easier then other countries in Europe. However, in above list, as we mentioned earlier, Portugal is only country that offers easy and quick citizenship to foreigners. So based on our knowledge and experience with foreigners, Portugal get the first place in Europe and Schengen to offer easy citizenship to foreigners.
Disclaimer: This information is for general purposes only based on our research and it does not constitute legal advice. Consult a qualified professional for detailed guidance on citizenship and residency requirements.
