The European Union is known for its high standard of living, strong democratic values, and commitment to human rights. These factors make the EU an attractive destination for people from other parts of the world.
Obtaining EU citizenship is relatively straightforward in Portugal, Spain, Greece, Hungary and Italy. These countries offer paths to naturalisation, typically requiring at least 5 years of residence.
Dive in to learn where in the EU it’s the easiest to obtain citizenship.
Getting citizenship in Europe is never truly “easy”, as every country has its own rules, requirements, and procedures. But some options are more straightforward than others.
In this article, we use a practical definition of “easiest”: how quickly you can become eligible to apply for citizenship. In most EU countries, this depends on how many years you need to live there before starting the naturalisation process. The shorter this period, the faster your path to a passport.
The key factor is the minimum residency requirement — the number of years you must live in a country before applying for citizenship.
This period varies significantly across Europe:
In most cases, applicants are expected to reside in the country full-time during this period to remain eligible for naturalisation.
Time is not the only factor. In most European countries, applicants are also expected to:
While these requirements are broadly similar across the EU, the level of difficulty — especially language exams and integration tests — can vary significantly from one country to another.
As of 2026, no EU country offers direct citizenship purely in exchange for investment.
Some member states used to have such programmes, but they have all been closed or restructured.
What remains in several countries are residence‑by‑investment programmes, often called Golden Visas. These let investors obtain long‑term residence rights quickly, by contributing to the country’s economy. However, investors will still need to actually reside and fulfil regular naturalisation criteria to become eligible to apply for citizenship.
1. High quality of life. EU nationals enjoy political stability, strong economies, and high living standards. They have access to high-quality education, healthcare, and social benefits.
Many EU countries rank among the top in global quality of life indexes, offering safe environments, clean cities, and efficient public services. For example, Finland, Denmark, and the Netherlands are in the top 7 of the 2025 World Happiness Report, as well as in the top 14 of the 2025 Global Peace Index [1] [2].
2. Visa-free travel. An EU passport allows visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to more than 170 countries, including the UK, the USA, and Canada. Citizens can also travel freely within the Schengen Area.
3. Having a plan B. EU citizenship provides a secure alternative in case of an emergency situation in one’s home country. Citizens can relocate to any of the EU member states at any time, with full residency rights. They also benefit from consular protection from any EU embassy while abroad.
4. Access to European healthcare. EU nationals can receive medical treatment in any EU country, with many nations offering free or subsidised healthcare. The European Health Insurance Card, EHIC, allows them to access healthcare services while travelling within the EU under the same conditions as local residents.
5. Studying in Europe. EU citizens can study at top European universities at reduced tuition rates or even for free in some countries, such as Germany and Sweden. They are also eligible for EU-wide scholarships, grants, and student exchange programs like Erasmus+.
6. Work or business opportunities. An EU passport grants the right to live and work in any EU country without a visa or work permit. Citizens can start a business, invest, or take advantage of tax benefits and incentives available in different EU economies. The EU single market eliminates trade barriers, making it easier to expand businesses across borders.
7. Family reunification. EU nationals can sponsor family members, including spouses, children, and even parents, for them to get residency or citizenship in the EU. Family members gain access to education, healthcare, and employment opportunities, ensuring they can live together under the same legal rights and protections.
France offers various pathways to citizenship, including through marriage, descent, birth, adoption, or naturalisation.
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.
Applicants for naturalisation are required to demonstrate:
The expedited paths to France citizenship are as follows:
France allows dual citizenship.
Benefits. France has a strong economy with the world’s 7th-largest GDP and a business‑friendly environment that attracts entrepreneurs and investors. It offers universal healthcare, ranked among the best globally, and a high standard of education, with prestigious institutions like Sorbonne University and INSEAD, a leading international business school.
France’s strong labour laws provide job security, paid parental leave, and a 35-hour workweek. As the world's most visited country, France is renowned for its rich history, iconic landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and Louvre, and diverse regions ranging from the sun-soaked French Riviera to the picturesque vineyards of Bordeaux.
Portuguese citizenship is accessible to foreigners who satisfy these criteria:
The Portugal Golden Visa program presents a straightforward path to Portuguese residence. This program requires a minimum investment of €250,000 in the country’s economy. Upon making this investment, the individual receives a Portuguese residence permit card. After five years of residency and meeting naturalisation requirements, including a Portuguese language exam, they can apply for Portugal citizenship.
One significant advantage of the residence-by-investment route is that the minimum residency requirement is just seven days per year, meaning that permanent residence in Portugal is not necessary for citizenship eligibility.
Portugal permits dual citizenship, allowing individuals to maintain their original nationality alongside their Portuguese citizenship.
Benefits. Moving to Portugal offers a great quality of life, affordable living costs, and a welcoming environment. In the Legatum Prosperity Index 2023, Portugal ranks 26th overall and 23rd in living conditions out of 167 countries. The country has one of the lowest costs of living in Western Europe, with rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the city centre being around €940 and monthly costs for a single person being €680.
Portugal enjoys a mild climate with over 300 days of sunshine per year and diverse landscapes, from the golden beaches of the Algarve to the lush vineyards of the Douro Valley. Lisbon and Porto, its largest cities, combine historic charm with modern infrastructure, while towns like smaller Cascais and Sintra provide a quieter, picturesque lifestyle. Portugal ranks among the safest countries in the world, being 7th in the Global Peace Index 2025 [2].
Bulgaria citizenship can be obtained in six ways: through descent, investment, naturalisation, marriage, refugee or other humanitarian status, and for exceptional services.
For citizenship by naturalisation, the applicant must:
The Bulgaria Golden Visa provides a path to residency, which can lead to citizenship after maintaining the investment for five years.
Applicants are required to invest €513,000 in one of these options:
While Bulgaria generally doesn't allow dual citizenship for non-native nationals, exceptions exist for spouses of Bulgarian citizens, EU member state citizens, and citizens of countries with reciprocal agreements with Bulgaria.
Benefits. Bulgaria has one of the lowest tax rates in the EU, with a flat 10% income and corporate tax, making it favourable for businesses and entrepreneurs. The country’s real estate market is affordable, with opportunities in both urban and coastal areas like Sofia, Plovdiv, and the Black Sea resorts of Varna and Burgas. Residents enjoy the beaches of the Black Sea and the ski resorts of Bansko and Pamporovo.
Various pathways exist to acquire Irish citizenship, including ancestral routes. For those without Irish ancestry, residing in Ireland for five years is the most straightforward method to become a citizen.
Upon approval of the citizenship application, a fee of approximately €1,000 is required. Notably, there is no language test or examination of Irish history or culture.
The Ireland Golden Visa Program for investors, which offered a simplified route to citizenship, was closed in 2023.
Ireland permits dual citizenship.
Benefits. Ireland has a strong economy driven by sectors like technology, pharmaceuticals, and finance, with global companies such as Google and Facebook having their European headquarters in Dublin. The country also provides favourable tax conditions for businesses, including a low corporate tax rate of 12.5%.
Ireland has a well-developed healthcare and education system, with top universities like Trinity College Dublin. English is the primary language, making it easy for expatriates to integrate.
To acquire Luxembourg citizenship by naturalisation, applicants must meet the following requirements:
Luxembourg does not prohibit dual citizenship.
Benefits. Luxembourg is one of the wealthiest countries in the world with a strong economy. Luxembourg City is home to the European Court of Justice and the European Investment Bank.
The country has no restrictions on foreign property ownership and offers a favourable tax system, including exemptions on certain investments and no wealth tax for individuals. With three official languages — Luxembourgish, French, and German — it provides a multicultural environment.
Foreign citizens can apply for Dutch citizenship after legally residing in the Netherlands for at least five years.
Applicants submit the necessary documents to their local city hall. If approved, the King of the Netherlands signs the citizenship decree. The applicants then attend a naturalisation ceremony, where they take the Declaration of Solidarity, affirming adherence to the laws of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Following the ceremony, new citizens receive the Naturalisation decision and can apply for a Dutch passport.
Typically, acquiring Dutch citizenship requires renouncing any other nationality held.
Benefits. The Netherlands is a global trade hub with one of Europe’s largest ports, Rotterdam, and a major financial centre in Amsterdam. The country has a favourable tax system for entrepreneurs, including the 30% ruling tax exemption for highly skilled expatriates.
It offers excellent healthcare and education, with universities like the University of Amsterdam ranking among the world’s best. The Netherlands also has efficient public transportation, with an extensive network of trains, trams, and bike paths, making commuting easy and sustainable.
To obtain a Swedish passport, one must reside in Sweden for five years prior to starting the citizenship application process. No exams are required. However, applicants should be aware that time spent outside Sweden does not count towards residency duration.
Recent developments suggest that acquiring Sweden citizenship may become more challenging. The Swedish government has proposed stricter requirements, including extending the habitual residence period beyond five years. The intent is for potential citizens to have a deeper understanding of Swedish society and culture. Additionally, there are reasonable expectations for self-support and maintaining an honest lifestyle.
Sweden permits dual citizenship.
Benefits. Sweden has a thriving technology and innovation sector, with global companies like Spotify and Volvo headquartered there. Residents benefit from universal healthcare, free or low-cost education, and generous parental leave policies. The country is known for its clean environment, with vast green spaces and a strong focus on sustainability.
To acquire a Finnish passport through naturalisation, one must initially live in Finland for four years with a residence permit, followed by two years with permanent residence. Applicants are eligible to apply for Finnish citizenship after a total of six years of residency.
Finnish citizenship by naturalisation is available to foreigners who:
Finland permits dual citizenship.
Benefits. Finland consistently ranks among the happiest countries due to its excellent healthcare, low crime rates, and work-life balance. The country is a leader in technology and innovation, home to companies like Nokia and a thriving startup ecosystem. Finland has vast green spaces, clean air, and a strong commitment to sustainability.
To obtain Greece citizenship, a foreigner must first secure a residence permit, maintain legal residence for several years, and then apply for permanent residency.
A residence permit in Greece can be obtained through:
Wealthy foreigners can obtain a residence permit in Greece through investment. The Greece Golden Visa program offers options such as purchasing real estate, buying shares, or making bank deposits, with a minimum investment of €250,000.
To secure permanent residency in Greece, an applicant must fulfil the following requirements:
There are four primary methods of acquiring a Greek passport: descent, repatriation, military service, and naturalisation.
For naturalisation as a Greek citizen, one must meet the following criteria:
Greece allows dual citizenship, so applicants do not need to renounce their original nationality.
Benefits. Greece boasts over 200 inhabited islands, 19 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and a mild climate with more than 250 days of sunshine annually, making it ideal for outdoor activities and tourism. The cost of living is relatively low compared to other European countries, with affordable housing options, especially in smaller towns and islands. Residents benefit from favourable tax incentives, including a 7% flat tax on foreign pensions.
A foreigner can acquire Cypriot citizenship by naturalisation by fulfilling the following criteria:
To meet the residence requirement, affluent individuals have the opportunity to secure permanent residence in Cyprus in exchange for investment. The Cyprus Golden Visa program mandates an investment of at least €300,000, along with fulfilling other specified criteria. Close family members are also eligible to be included in the application.
There are additional paths to acquiring Cyprus citizenship, including through descent and marriage. To obtain Cypriot citizenship by descent, one must have Cypriot ancestry. For citizenship by marriage, the applicant needs to have been married to a Cypriot citizen for a minimum of three years.
Cyprus permits dual citizenship.
Benefits. Cyprus has one of the lowest costs of living in the European Union, with affordable housing, utilities, and groceries, particularly outside major cities like Limassol and Nicosia. On average, a single person needs €1,500—€1,800 per month to cover living expenses, including rent.
The country has a favourable tax system with no inheritance tax and one of the lowest corporate tax rates in the EU at 12.5%. English is widely spoken, and Cyprus has a well‑developed infrastructure, including international schools, modern healthcare, and efficient transport links.
To acquire Spanish citizenship by naturalisation, one must have resided in Spain for at least ten years, comprising five years with a temporary residence permit followed by five years with a permanent residence.
Spain offers several types of national visas that enable legal residence in the country:
Spain generally does not permit dual citizenship, but there are exceptions. For instance, Sephardic Jews are allowed to maintain their original nationality alongside Spanish citizenship. Additionally, Spain has dual citizenship agreements with 25 countries, such as Portugal, Argentina, among others.
Benefits. Spain has a universal healthcare system, ranked 10th in the Numbeo Health Care Index 2025, and a life expectancy of 83 years [5].
The country has over 8,000 kilometres of coastline and enjoys more than 300 days of sunshine annually, with a Mediterranean climate in coastal regions and varied weather in the interior. Spain also has a well-developed transport network, with high-speed trains connecting major cities and international airports in Madrid, Barcelona, and Malaga.
One of straightforward ways for foreigners to move to Spain is to get a Digital Nomad Visa. It is issued to employees of foreign companies, entrepreneurs, and self-employed individuals. The main requirement is to earn at least €2,849 a month.
Italian citizenship can be acquired through naturalisation, marriage, or ancestry.
For citizenship by naturalisation, one must maintain uninterrupted residency in Italy for 10 years. In the last five years before applying, the applicant should not have spent more than ten months abroad.
Applicants must submit the following documents:
Under the Italy Golden Visa program, investors can obtain residence permits valid for two years, which can then be extended for an additional three years, provided the investment is maintained.
The program offers several investment options:
Italy allows dual citizenship.
Benefits. Italy has the 3rd largest economy in the European Union and 8th in the world. It is home to 60 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, more than any other country, including iconic landmarks like the Colosseum, Venice's canals, and the Amalfi Coast.
The cost of living is lower than in France or Germany, with rent in cities like Naples up to 50% cheaper than in Paris. The country has a favourable tax regime for new residents, including a flat tax of €100,000 on foreign income for high-net-worth individuals.
Gaining Italian citizenship requires 10 years of continuous residency. To obtain residency status in Italy, investment options begin at €250,000
To obtain a Latvian passport, an individual must reside in Latvia for ten years prior to applying for citizenship.
The initial five-year period is spent under a temporary residence permit. After that, the individual becomes eligible to apply for a permanent residence permit. Obtaining this permit requires successfully passing a state language proficiency examination.
After residing as a permanent resident for another five years, the individual can then apply for citizenship.
Latvia permits dual citizenship with certain countries, including NATO member states.
Benefits. Latvia has a low cost of living — rent in the capital, Riga, averages around €500 per month. Riga International Airport connects to over 100 destinations, including London, Berlin, and Dubai. The climate features warm summers averaging 20–25°C and cold winters with temperatures dropping to −5°C.
To obtain Hungary citizenship by naturalisation, an applicant must legally reside in Hungary for a total of 11 years. This includes 3 years with a temporary residence permit, and then another 8 years with a permanent residence permit.
To obtain a temporary residence permit, one can participate in the Hungary Golden Visa Program. This program requires an investment of at least €250,000 in Hungarian real estate fund units or a donation of at least €1 million to a higher education institution in Hungary. The residence permit is issued for 10 years, and can be renewed once for the same period.
To qualify for permanent residence, a foreigner must prove they have not left Hungary for more than four months continuously or for a total of more than nine months within the three years preceding their application.
To be eligible for citizenship, an applicant must fulfil the following criteria:
Hungary allows dual citizenship.
Benefits. Hungary has the lowest corporate income tax in the EU at 9% and a flat 15% personal income tax, making it attractive for investors and business owners. The cost of living in Hungary is lower than in many Western European countries. In Budapest, monthly rent for a city‑centre apartment ranges from €400 to €600.
Hungary is known for its thermal baths, including the Szechenyi Baths in Budapest, and has UNESCO World Heritage sites such as Buda Castle and the banks of the Danube.
Based on the duration of residency required before naturalisation, the European countries where acquiring citizenship is most challenging are:
These five countries generally require at least 10 years of continuous residence before one can apply for citizenship by naturalisation. Additionally, applicants must show proof of financial independence, integration into the country's society, and knowledge of the country's official language and culture.
There’s no truly “easy” citizenship in the EU, but some countries offer more accessible paths — through ancestry, naturalisation, marriage, or family ties.
For example, individuals with Irish ancestry can apply for Irish citizenship even if they were born abroad, using a parent, grandparent, or sometimes great-grandparent as the connection.
Portugal allows foreigners to apply for citizenship after just five years of legal residence — one of the shortest periods in Europe — provided they demonstrate basic knowledge of the language and culture.
In Cyprus, foreigners married to a Cypriot citizen for at least three years can apply for citizenship, as long as they have lived in the country for at least two years.
Portugal offers one of the fastest citizenship to get in Europe. A foreigner must reside there for 5 years with a residence permit to be able to apply for naturalisation. However, in late 2025 the new legislation was issued, which might lead to doubling that term. The conditions are now under review.
The most accessible countries for obtaining residency are those offering Golden Visa programs. Portugal, Cyprus, Italy and Greece provide special programs where residency is granted in exchange for investment.
Belgium, Czechia, Cyprus, Denmark, France, Finland, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Luxembourg, Malta, Portugal, Romania, Poland, and Sweden are among the EU countries that allow dual citizenship by naturalisation.
Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Estonia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Slovenia, and Spain generally prohibit dual nationality by naturalisation.
Most countries in the ranking offer similar methods for obtaining citizenship, including through marriage, ancestry, naturalisation, or investment.
The required documentation is generally consistent across these nations, typically including a certificate of proficiency in the national language, a test on the country’s culture and history, a criminal record clearance, and evidence of a stable income and housing within the country.
Portugal, Cyprus, Greece, and Italy rank as the top countries where obtaining citizenship is relatively easy. These nations offer a variety of pathways to citizenship, including naturalisation, citizenship by marriage, descent, among others.
To qualify for EU citizenship, individuals must first reside in a European country for a specified duration. This duration varies by country, ranging from one to eleven years.
After fulfilling the necessary residency period, applicants must submit required documents. The specific documentation varies between countries and aligns with each nation’s criteria for applicants. Commonly required documents include proof of income, certificates demonstrating language proficiency and cultural knowledge, a clean criminal record certificate, and evidence of a permanent address.
In Europe, no country offers completely free citizenship without any requirements. However, some nations have more accessible and relatively low-cost paths to citizenship, such as through ancestry, naturalisation, family reunification, or marriage.
For example, if an individual has Irish ancestry, they can apply for Irish citizenship even if they were born outside of Ireland. This can be through a parent, grandparent, or sometimes great-grandparent who was born in the country.
Portugal allows individuals to apply for citizenship after five years of legal residence, which is one of the shortest periods in Europe. They must demonstrate basic knowledge of the Portuguese language and culture.
Cyprus offers citizenship to foreigners who have been married to a Cypriot citizen for at least three years. However, they must also have lived in Cyprus for at least two years before applying.
