How to Become a European Citizen in 2024

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Obtaining European citizenship can be problematic. The route to naturalization can resemble a long and winding road. There are shortcuts, however, and in this article we will show you how to become a European citizen in 3 easy ways.

1.) Become a European National Via Descent

Does your family tree house a treasure trove to match a golden visa? It’s worth looking into your genealogy for Citizenship by Descent options. This search can offer such more than a fun history lesson, especially if you find a match with one of the following 5 countries.

A.) Austria

The Austria Citizenship by Descent Programme is a portal to an Austrian passport. This travel document is the 3rd most powerful passport in the world, allowing you to gain entry to 179 visa-free countries. Here’s how to become a European citizen through Austrian Citizenship by Descent:

1. You have an ancestor who is or was an Austrian national, national of Hungary, Czechoslovakia, Romania, the Kingdom of the Slovenes, Croats and Serbs, or Poland, or was a stateless person living in Austria
2. Said ancestor fled Austrian territory before May 1955, to escape Nazi persecution or as a result of the Second World War
3. This relative feared or suffered at the hands of Nationalsozialistische deutsche Arbeiterpartei the National Socialist German Workers’ Party (NSDAP) or the German Reich
4. You’re a direct relation, as in a child, adopted child, grandchild, or great grandchild

B.) Ireland

With the Ireland Citizenship by Descent Programme, you become eligible for an Irish passport. Like the Austrian passport, this travel document will allow you to access 179 visa-free destinations. You must satisfy one of the following conditions:

1. You were born in Ireland on or before December 31, 2004
2. Your date of birth falls after January 1, 2005, and one of your parents needs to be an Irish national, British citizen, or a foreign national legally living in Ireland for a minimum 3 out of 4 years prior to your birth
3. One of your parents was born in Ireland before 2005
4. A grandparent was an Irish national when your parent was born
5. Your great grandparent is Irish and your parent registered their Irish Citizenship before your birth

C.) Italy

The Italy Citizenship by Descent Programme is your entry point for an Italian passport. We rate this travel document as the second strongest in the world as you can visit 180 countries without a visa. Here are the qualifying requirements:

1. Your Italian ancestor must have been alive after March 17, 1861
2. If your Italian ancestor gained citizenship in another country, it needs to have taken place after July 1, 1912 and the birth of the relevant child
3. If there are women in your line of descent, her or their children must have been born after January 1, 1948 for citizenship to be passed on
4. If her children were born before January 1, 1948 you need to apply at an Italian court

D.) Poland

How to become a European citizen through the Poland Citizenship by Descent Programme? Do you want to secure a Polish passport with visa-free access to 178 countries? These are the conditions you need to meet:

1. Your ancestor resided in Poland or a former territory of Poland until at least January 1920
2. They retained their Polish citizenship until the day of your birth or the day of their death

E.) Portugal

What benefits do you receive through the Portugal Citizenship by Descent Programme? A key one is the chance to apply for a Portuguese passport offering visa-free travel to 179 countries. You’re eligible if you:

1. You have a Portuguese parent or grandparent plus Portuguese community connections such as an ample understanding of the Portuguese language
2. Or you can prove you belong to a Sephardic community of Portuguese origin and have a strong link to Portugal through family, property, and visits
3. Alternatively, that you’re a national from ex-Portuguese colonies such as India’s Goa, Africa’s Angola, and China’s Macau

2.) How to Become a European Citizen Via Investment

Citizenship by Investment (CBI) is another route to becoming a European national. While there has been more than one European CBI Programmes in the past, presently Malta is the only country to run one. This is Maltese Exceptional Investor Naturalization (MEIN).

Maltese citizenship allows you to apply for a Malta passport. We rank this travel document as the 7th most powerful passport in the world. It guarantees you visa-free access to 175 countries.

Either secure residence in Malta for 12 months and invest €750,000 or take the 36-month option and pay €600,000.

Whichever route you choose to follow, you must buy residential property in Malta worth a minimum €700,000 or rent residential real estate with an annual rent of at least €16,000.

There are additional due diligence fees of €15,000 for you, €10,000 for your spouse, and €10,000 for any dependants aged 13 and over.

3.) Become a European Citizen Via Residency

If you’re a Third Country National (TCN), as in a non-EU citizen, Residency by Investment is your final route to becoming a European national. The main issue is that this is the lengthiest passage to European citizenship. That’s because you have to factor in naturalization with these 3 programmes.

A.) Greek Residency by Investment

The Greek Golden Visa is set to rise from a minimum €250,000 to €400,000 on Monday, September 30, 2024, as we reported in March.

After 7 years of permanent residency in the country, you’re eligible for Greek citizenship. This can see you qualify to apply for a Greek passport, a travel document we rate 4th strongest worldwide due to its visa-free access to 178 destinations.

B.) Portuguese Residency by Investment

You can obtain citizenship through the Portuguese Golden Visa. However, you will have to reside in the country for 5 years and demonstrate A2 proficiency in the language by taking the CIPLE exam. You’re then able to become a holder of the aforementioned Portuguese passport.

C.) Spanish Residency by Investment

With a Spanish Golden Visa, you will need to reside in the country for 10 years before qualifying for citizenship and take a language test too. This is reduced to 2 years if you’re a national of a Spanish-speaking Latin American country or the Philippines.

We rate the Spanish passport as the 2nd most powerful travel document in the world as it allows you to access 180 countries without a visa.

How to Choose the Best Route to European Citizenship For You

So, how to become a European citizen in 2024? Talk to an investment migration expert such as the Latitude Group to find the perfect match for your needs. That’s right, don’t delay and contact us today.