Content

• Steps
• Advice
• Warning

Citizenship in the European Union (EU) includes the right to work, travel and study in EU member states without a visa. It can take several years for you to gain citizenship in the EU. To do this, you must register for citizenship in an EU country. The naturalization process will vary from country to country. In general, you need to live in your host country for a few years, gather proof of citizenship eligibility and apply. You may also be asked to take a citizenship and language test and pay a filing fee. If you have lived in an EU country for a relatively long time, you will most likely be allowed to naturalize.

Steps

Part 1 of 3: Meet the naturalization requirements

1. 

   Residing in an EU member state. If you do not live in an EU country, you will need to move to an EU member state and become a resident of that country. Immigration is a particularly serious and costly decision: you must apply for a visa, find a job, learn a new language and live in your host country for several years.
   • The EU has 28 member countries. Becoming a citizen of any of these countries will also help you gain citizenship in the EU. However, citizenship eligibility will vary from country to country.
   • Remember that not all European countries are part of the EU. You will not have EU citizenship if you move to Norway, North Macedonia or Switzerland.
   • Note that the UK is no longer an EU member. If you are naturalized in the UK, you will not have EU citizenship.

2. 

   
   
   Determine how long you have to live in an EU country to naturalize. Most countries require at least 5 years of permanent residence, others may require longer periods. Check this information before you apply for naturalization.
   • For example, you must live in Germany for 8 years to get a passport in this country. In France, you only need to stay for 5 years.

3. 

   
   
   Consider the nationality of your spouse. If your spouse is a citizen in an EU country, you can naturalize by marriage. Depending on the country, getting married to an EU citizen can shorten the time you must live in that country before applying for citizenship.
   • In Sweden, you usually have to reside for 5 years before applying for naturalization. However, if you are married or registered with a Swedish citizen, you only need to reside in Sweden for 3 years before applying for naturalization.

4. 

   
   
   Learn the primary language of the country where you live. Many EU member states impose a language requirement before you can apply for naturalization. Some countries may require participation in language classes, others may require completion of a basic language test. Here are some countries that have language requirements or require a language test:
   • Hungary
   • Virtue
   • Latvia
   • Romanian
   • Denmark

5. 

   Check if you are from an EU member state. Some EU countries allow a citizen's children or grandchildren to become citizens, even if they don't live in these countries. This principle is called the jus sanguinis (bloodline principle).
   • Ireland, Italy and Greece allow naturalization of citizens' children and grandchildren. Hungary allows naturalization of both grandchildren.
   • In Germany, you can only naturalize this way if your parents are citizens.
   • Some countries have conditions for how long your ancestors leave that country. For example, in Poland you will be naturalized when your grandparents or parents leave after 1951. In Spain, they have to leave between 1936 and 1955.
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Part 2 of 3: Naturalization registration

1. 

   Collect documents. Copy important documents. Do not submit originals. Although each country will have different requirements, you will generally need the following documents:
   • Copy of birth certificate
   • Copy of current passport
   • Proof of residency, such as career records, bank statements, travel documents, or government agency letters that show your address.
   • Proof of work, such as a written certificate of employment with the signature of the employer. If you are retired or self-employed, provide financial documentation to show that you are financially stable.
   • If you are married to a citizen of your host country, you will need proof of marriage, such as proof of marriage, birth certificates of children and family photos.

2. 

   Fill out the application. This form will usually be posted on the website of the host country immigration authority. Read carefully before completing the application. Although the content of the application varies from country to country, you will need to include the following information:
   • Full name
   • Current and past address
   • Date of birth
   • Current nationality
   • Education
   • Duration of residence in the host country
   • Family information, including parents, spouses and children

3. 

   Pay application fee. You may be charged a processing fee. This fee varies by country, for example:
   • Ireland: 175 euros (about 4,500,000 VND)
   • Germany: 255 euros (about 6,500,000 VND)
   • Sweden: 1,500 Krona (about 3,700,000 VND)
   • Spain: 60-100 euros (from about 1,600,000 VND to 2,600,000 VND)

4. 

   Take the citizenship test. The citizenship test shows how well you understand the customs, language, laws, history and culture of the host country. The test is quite short, however they are a requirement for naturalization in many EU member states.
   • In Germany, for example, you will be asked 33 questions about German history, law and culture. You must answer at least 17 correct answers.
   • The primary language of the host country will be used for this test.

5. 

   Attend a hearing or an interview when asked. In some countries, a judge or police will interview you before you become naturalized. After completing your application, you will be notified of the time and place of the hearing or interview.

6. 

   Go to the naturalization ceremony. Most countries have citizenship ceremonies for new citizens. Citizens will take an oath at this ceremony. You may receive a naturalization certificate showing your new citizenship. Once you have citizenship in an EU country, you will automatically become an EU citizen.
   • Usually, you will know the result of naturalization after about 3 months from the date of filing. This period may be longer in some other countries.
   • Citizenship ceremonies can be held in major cities or capitals.
   • Attending a naturalization ceremony is usually one of the conditions for you to obtain citizenship in your host country.
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Part 3 of 3: Improve your profile

1. 

   Avoid leaving your home country for a long time. You must permanently reside in the country where you intend to naturalize. This also means that you can only live in this country for a specified period of time. If you leave that country for more than a few weeks each year, you may no longer meet citizenship requirements.
   • For example, if you leave France for longer than 6 months, you may no longer be eligible for naturalization here.

2. 

   Increase annual income. Most countries will not allow naturalization unless you have a certain income level. Some countries will require proof of your work in that country. If you are naturalized by marriage and not working yet, you may need to provide your spouse's job information.
   • For example, in Denmark you have to show that you can pay for yourself and your family without relying on government subsidies, for example housing assistance or social welfare.
   • If you are a student, these requirements may change. You may have to graduate and work full time to meet citizenship requirements.

3. 

   Buy property in the country in which you live. If you own a home or land in the country where you are applying for citizenship, you may have a better chance. In some countries, for example Greece, Latvia, Portugal or the Republic of Cyprus, you may gain citizenship when you own a certain amount of property. advertisement

Advice

• Many countries, such as the Republic of Cyprus or Austria, will allow citizenship when you invest in the government, but this investment must be worth at least one million euros (about 25.2 billion dong). .
• Citizenship laws differ from country to country. Make sure you research and carefully read the laws of the country where you want to be naturalized.
• Having dual citizenship, including one in an EU member state, will also give you EU citizenship.
• Once you have citizenship in Austria, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Latvia or Lithuania, you are required to give up your previous citizenship.

Warning

• If you have a criminal record, you may not be naturalized.