How to get an EU passport and obtain EU citizenship

Obtaining an EU passport and EU citizenship has become an increasingly attractive prospect for many individuals worldwide particularly for Americans after this current election. The benefits of holding an EU passport are numerous, offering unrestricted access to work, study, and reside in any of the 27 member states of the European Union.

Additionally, having an EU passport grants the holder the right to vote in European Parliament elections, providing them with a say in shaping the future of the EU.

How to get EU citizenship as a Canadian? Personally I am Irish born and a Canadian immigrant when I was a child. I was born in Northern Ireland which gave me the privilege of being able to apply for both an Irish passport and a United Kingdom Passport along with my Canadian passport. My son was also able to gain his Irish and British passports as he was born in the UK and I have an Irish passport. My husband was also born in the UK of Irish parents that allowed him to have both passports along with his Canadian Passport. So take a look at your family history to see if you can obtain EU citizenship by descent.

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An EU passport provides numerous benefits

European countries passport requirements? EU citizenship and resulting EU passport grants you the right to live, work, and study in any EU country. It also gives you access to various benefits and services, such as healthcare, social security, and education, across all EU member states. Additionally, EU citizens have the right to vote and stand as a candidate in European Parliament elections.

Our Irish passports gave us the ability to housesit all over Europe without having to worry about Schengen Zones and having to leave different countries after 90 days. UK Citizens lost these rights when they voted for Brexit.

Freedom of Movement: EU passport holders can live, work, and study in any of the 27 EU countries without needing additional visas or permits.

Travel Rights: An EU passport allows its holder to travel freely across the Schengen Area, which includes most EU countries, without border checks.

Consular Protection: If an EU citizen is in a non-EU country, they can seek assistance from any other EU country’s embassy or consulate.

Access to EU Benefits: EU citizens can access certain social, healthcare, and educational benefits within the EU.

How to obtain an EU passport

To obtain an EU passport, one must typically be a national of an EU member state, either by birth or through a naturalization process, such as obtaining citizenship by descent, marriage, or long-term residency.

I obtained my EU passport as a citizen of Northern Ireland. In Northern Ireland you can choose to have either British citizenship or Irish being born on the Island. I chose Irish to avoid the pitfalls of Brexit. My husband obtained his Irish Passport via descent as he was born in England but his parents were both born in Ireland. Many of us hold a second citizenship and in our case we have three citizenships – Irish, British and Canadian.

EU passport eligibility

While the process of obtaining an EU passport and citizenship may seem daunting, it can be navigated through various avenues. One of the most common ways is by descent, wherein individuals with parents or grandparents who are EU citizens can claim citizenship themselves. 

Another route is through marriage or civil partnership to an EU citizen, which can lead to a fast-track process in gaining citizenship. Another popular option is by investing in an EU country, often through a citizenship by investment program. These programs vary from country to country, but typically involve making a significant financial contribution to the economy in exchange for citizenship.

What is EU Citizenship?

European citizenship is a concept introduced by the Maastricht Treaty in 1992, which grants citizens of EU Member States certain rights and freedoms. EU citizenship complements national citizenship and gives individuals the right to move, reside, and work freely within the EU territory.  

Benefits of EU Citizenship

One of the primary advantages is the freedom to move and reside freely within any member state of the European Union. This means that EU citizens can study, work, or live in any country within the EU without needing to obtain a visa or work permit. 

Additionally, EU citizens have the right to vote and stand as candidates in European Parliament and local elections. They also benefit from consular protection and support from any EU embassy or consulate worldwide. 

EU citizenship provides access to social security benefits, such as healthcare and education, in any member state. Overall, EU citizenship offers extensive rights and opportunities for individuals, making it highly desirable.

How to get European citizenship by descent

There are several ways to obtain EU citizenship. One common route is through ancestry. If you have parents or grandparents who were born in an EU country, you may be eligible for citizenship by descent. Another option is through marriage. If you marry an EU citizen, you may be able to acquire citizenship through the process of naturalization. 

Additionally, some EU countries offer citizenship by investment, where individuals can obtain citizenship by making a significant economic contribution to the country. Finally, some EU countries offer citizenship through a lengthy period of residency, ranging from 5 to 10 years, during which individuals must live and work in the country before becoming eligible for citizenship by naturalization.

Several European countries grant citizenship to individuals affected by World War II and the Nazis as a way of acknowledging the historical injustices endured by these people. This initiative aims to provide a sense of belonging and restore the rights that were violated during that dark period. Germany, for instance, offers citizenship to descendants of victims of Nazi persecution, including Holocaust survivors, who lost their citizenship due to the policies of the Nazi regime.

Similar initiatives exist in Hungary, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia, where individuals and their descendants who were forcibly displaced during the war can reclaim their identity and regain the rights and privileges they were once denied. In granting EU citizenship to those affected by WWII and the Nazis, these countries not only acknowledge the atrocities committed but also work towards rectifying the injustices inflicted upon innocent people who suffered greatly during this dark chapter in history. 

What EU countries offer Citizenship and a passport by descent

Several European countries offer citizenship by descent, allowing individuals with ancestral ties to apply for citizenship. Requirements vary, but most programs enable descendants of nationals to reclaim or obtain citizenship, often without needing residency. Here are some European countries that provide citizenship by descent and their key features:

Ireland

Eligibility: Irish citizenship by descent is available if you have at least one grandparent born in Ireland, even if your parent was born outside Ireland.

Application Process: You may need to register in the Foreign Births Register if your parent was born outside Ireland.

Italy

Eligibility: Italy’s “jus sanguinis” (right of blood) allows citizenship to be passed from Italian ancestors to descendants, potentially indefinitely, as long as the lineage is unbroken. Italian citizenship is generally passed through the male line, but recent rulings allow it through female ancestors in specific cases.

Application Process: Proof of ancestry with documentation such as birth, marriage, and death certificates is required to obtain your Italian passport.

Poland

Poland Eligibility: Descendants of Polish citizens can claim citizenship if their ancestor was a Polish citizen and did not renounce Polish citizenship. Poland’s program is complex, with restrictions for people whose ancestors left Poland before 1951.

Application Process: Documentation to prove Polish ancestry and citizenship continuity is necessary.

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Germany

Eligibility: German citizenship by descent is available for descendants of German nationals who lost their citizenship due to Nazi persecution, as well as direct descendants if German citizenship was retained by the ancestor.

Application Process: Requires detailed documentation of ancestry and sometimes residency verification.

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Greece

Eligibility: Greek citizenship by descent is available for those with a Greek parent, grandparent, or even great-grandparent. Eligibility is especially strong if records of Greek citizenship and lineage are available.

Application Process: You must present family records from Greece, often obtainable from municipal archives.

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 Spain

 Eligibility: Spain’s citizenship by descent laws apply to children and grandchildren of Spanish nationals. There are also special provisions for descendants of Sephardic Jews expelled in the 15th century.

 Application Process: Proof of Spanish ancestry and documentation such as birth and marriage certificates are required.

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Portugal

 Eligibility: Portuguese citizenship by descent extends to those with a Portuguese parent or grandparent. Special provisions exist for descendants of Sephardic Jews expelled during the Inquisition.

 Application Process: Required documentation includes birth and marriage certificates and proof of Sephardic ancestry (if applicable).

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 Hungary

Eligibility: Hungarian citizenship by descent applies to those with at least one Hungarian ancestor, even beyond parents or grandparents. Basic language knowledge may be required for some applicants.

 Application Process: Requires proving Hungarian ancestry, often with church records or civil certificates.

Lithuania

 Eligibility: Descendants of Lithuanian nationals who emigrated before 1940, often due to WWII, can apply. The rules exclude those who left voluntarily under certain conditions.

 Application Process: Documentation of Lithuanian descent is required, as well as proof of forced emigration.

Austria

Eligibility: Austria recently relaxed its laws to grant citizenship by descent to descendants of Holocaust survivors and those persecuted by the Nazi regime. Austria holocaust citizenship

The Austrian Supreme Administrative Court (“Verwaltungsgerichtshof”) decided in 2001 that victims of National Socialism were forced to leave Austria and therefore did not voluntarily acquire another citizenship and hence not lose Austrian citizenship and applying for Austrian citizenship by descent is possible. If you have Austrian ancestry take a look at obtaining Citizenship for Persecuted People and see if you are eligible.

Application Process: Holocaust-related documentation is needed to confirm eligibility.

France

French citizenship is granted to descendants of French nationals who retained their citizenship. If your parents were French, you might be eligible even if they were born abroad.

 Application Process: Proof of French lineage and retained French citizenship is essential.

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Malta

Maltese citizenship by descent is available to individuals with Maltese ancestry, making it accessible to those with at least one Maltese parent, grandparent, or, in certain cases, great-grandparent. The law allows citizenship to be passed down through generations, even if the ancestor left Malta many years ago.

Application Process: Applicants need to prove their direct line of descent with official documentation, such as birth and marriage certificates, and may apply at a Maltese consulate abroad or in Malta.

Latvia

Latvian Citizenship by descent is available to invididuals who can prove that they have Latvian ancestry, typically through parents, grandparents, or even great-grandparents who were Latvian citizens or lived in Latvia before the country’s occupation by the Soviet Union or Nazi Germany.

This includes descendants of those who fled Latvia during times of political upheaval or war, as long as the family did not renounce their Latvian citizenship.

Application Process: Applicants must provide documentation such as birth, marriage, and immigration records to establish their eligibility.  

Estonia

Estonian citizenship by descent is available to Estonian citizenship who can prove that they have Estonian ancestry, typically through parents, grandparents, or great-grandparents who were Estonian citizens. This includes descendants of Estonian nationals who were born in Estonia or were citizens before the country’s occupation by the Soviet Union or Nazi Germany.

Application Process: Applicants must provide official documentation, such as birth, marriage, and family records, to establish their lineage.

United Kingdom Citizenship

Obtaining United Kingdom citizenship typically involves a structured process depending on your specific circumstances, such as ancestry, residency, or marriage. The most common route is through naturalization, which generally requires holding Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme for at least a year.

Application Process: Applicants must have lived in the UK for five years (three years if married to a British citizen), demonstrate good character, pass the Life in the UK Test, and meet English language requirements.

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EU Citizenship and EU passports

Some countries, like Switzerland and the Netherlands, have citizenship by descent but with more stringent requirements, such as generational limits or residence requirements. Each country’s process and rules can be detailed, so working with a consulate or specialized service often helps clarify eligibility and streamline the application.

Obtaining EU Citizenship by Naturalization

Obtaining EU citizenship by naturalization entails fulfilling certain criteria set by each individual member state. Generally, applicants must have resided legally in the country for a specific number of years, typically ranging from five to ten years. During this period, they must have demonstrated good conduct, knowledge of the country’s language, and integrated into the local community. 

Additionally, some applicants are expected to renounce their previous citizenship, prove their financial stability, and pass a thorough background check. Once granted, EU citizenship provides rights such as free movement within the EU, the ability to vote in EU elections, and access to various social and economic benefits.

Obtaining EU Citizenship by Descent

Obtaining EU citizenship by descent refers to the process of acquiring citizenship in a European Union country through lineage or ancestry. This means that if an individual’s parent or grandparent is a citizen of an EU member state, they may be eligible to claim citizenship themselves.

The criteria and requirements may vary between different EU countries, as each nation has its own laws and regulations regarding citizenship by descent. Generally, applicants must provide evidence of their familial connection, such as birth or marriage certificates, and may need to prove their knowledge of the country’s language or culture. 

Acquiring EU citizenship through descent does not automatically grant all the rights and benefits of being a citizen, such as freedom of movement and access to social services. Potential applicants should thoroughly research the specific requirements for their desired EU country before starting the application process.

Can I get EU citizenship through marriage?

Obtaining EU citizenship through marriage is a common route for individuals who wish to gain legal residency and the right to work in an EU member country. However, the process can vary depending on the country in which the marriage takes place. 

Generally, the non-EU spouse must live with their EU partner for a certain period of time before they can apply for citizenship. They may also need to provide proof of a genuine and ongoing relationship, such as joint bank accounts or utility bills. Additionally, some countries may require the individual to pass a language test or attend integration classes before granting citizenship. 

It is important to note that obtaining EU citizenship through marriage does not automatically grant the same rights and privileges as those acquired through birth or descent. However, it can provide a gateway to living and working within the EU, as well as access to public services and benefits.

I would also note here that if your spouse has an EU passport you can freely travel with them and live in EU countries on the basis of their being a citizen of an EU country. For example a friend of mine obtained his Irish passport and his wife who was from the UK could easily travel with him and live in France on the basis of his citizenship.

How to Get an EU Passport

There are several ways to obtain an EU passport, depending on your circumstances. If you have a European ancestry, you may be eligible to apply for citizenship through descent. This typically requires gathering documents such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, and evidence of your relationship to the European ancestor. 

Another option is to marry a citizen of an EU member state, which can fast-track your eligibility for citizenship. Additionally, some countries offer residency programs that lead to citizenship after a certain period of time.  

Applying for an EU Passport

Applying for an EU passport can open up a range of opportunities. With an EU passport, you can live, work, and travel freely within the European Union. The process usually involves gathering the necessary documents, such as proof of citizenship and identity, and submitting an application form.

EU Countries that offer Citizenship by Investment

Several European Union (EU) countries offer citizenship by investment programs. These programs allow individuals to obtain citizenship and a second passport by making a significant investment in the country. Some EU countries that offer these programs include Austria, Cyprus, Malta, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Turkey and Portugal, among others. . The requirements and investment amounts vary from country to country, but the benefits include visa-free travel, access to the EU market, and the right to live and work in any EU country.

It also provides access to social benefits, healthcare, and education in EU member states. Additionally, having EU citizenship offers visa-free travel to many countries around the world. However, the specific requirements and investment options vary from country to country within the EU. 

Malta also offers a citizenship program whereby investors can make a donation to the National Development and Social Fund and invest in real estate or government bonds. Portugal offers a Golden Visa program, which allows investors to acquire residency and eventually citizenship by investing in real estate or creating jobs. 

Each country has its own investment requirements and conditions that need to be met in order to qualify for citizenship. For example, in Cyprus, investors can gain citizenship by either investing in real estate or making a significant contribution to the country’s economy.

Benefits of Citizenship by Investment

Citizenship by investment programs offer a multitude of benefits for individuals seeking a second passport. One of the key advantages is the ability to obtain citizenship or permanent residency in a relatively short period of time. Traditional means of acquiring citizenship, such as through ancestry or marriage, can be lengthy and complex processes. 

Citizenship by investment, on the other hand, typically allows applicants to obtain citizenship within a matter of months. Another major benefit is the freedom of movement that comes with a second passport. Citizenship in certain countries can grant individuals visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to a large number of countries, expanding their travel and business opportunities. 

Eligibility of US Citizens for EU Citizenship

US citizens can potentially become EU citizens through descent if they have a parent or grandparent who was a citizen of an EU member state. In some cases, individuals may also be eligible for citizenship through marriage if they are married to an EU citizen. 

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Get a Digital Nomad Visa. Each country issuing digital nomad visas has its own policies and regulations in place, most of these visas are only valid for a period of one year. A Nomad visa is subject to various rules including a minimum level of income and a health insurance plan. These can be provided for countries including Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Malta, Portugal, Romania, and Spain, with more being arranged every day.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I become an EU citizen?

There are several ways to become an EU citizen. One way is through citizenship by descent, if you have ancestry from a European country. Another way is through citizenship by naturalization, which generally requires living in an EU country for a certain period of time and meeting specific criteria set by that country.

What is the easiest nationality to get in Europe?

Portugal is the easiest European country where you can get citizenship. The easiest way to become a Portuguese citizen is by obtaining a Portugal Golden visa; all you have to do is invest in a house, a business, or a property of €500,000 value.

Can I get EU citizenship as an American?

Yes, it is possible for Americans to obtain EU citizenship. The process typically involves meeting the requirements set by the individual EU country you wish to become a citizen of. These requirements may include living in the country for a certain period of time, having a stable source of income, and demonstrating knowledge of the country’s language and culture.

How can I get a European passport?

To get a European passport, you need to become a citizen of an EU country. This can be done through various means, such as citizenship by descent, citizenship by naturalization, or citizenship through marriage. Each country has its own specific requirements and process for obtaining citizenship and a passport.

What is a golden visa?

A golden visa is a residency by investment program offered by some EU countries, such as Portugal and Malta. It allows individuals to obtain residency and, in some cases, citizenship by making a significant investment in the country, such as purchasing real estate or investing in local businesses.

Can I have dual citizenship as an EU citizen?

Most EU countries allow dual citizenship, which means you can be a citizen of both your home country and an EU country. However, there are some exceptions and restrictions, so it is important to check the specific laws of the countries involved before acquiring dual citizenship.

How can I obtain citizenship through ancestry?

A: If you have ancestry from an EU country, you may be eligible for citizenship by descent. This typically involves providing documentary evidence to prove your ancestral connection and meeting other requirements set by the country, such as language proficiency or proof of financial stability.

How do I apply for an EU passport?

First trace your ancestry to see if your parents or grandparents were born in an EU country. At that point you will need to obtain their birth and marriage certificates and then you can begin the process of applying for citizenship via ancestry within that country. An EU passport is really a passport for the country you may be able to gain citizenship via ancestry.

Which countries in Europe offer citizenship by investment programs?

Several EU countries offer citizenship by investment programs, including Cyprus, Malta, and Portugal. These programs allow individuals to obtain citizenship by making a significant investment in the country, such as purchasing real estate or contributing to the local economy.

What are the requirements to get citizenship in Europe?

The requirements to obtain citizenship in Europe vary depending on the country you are applying to. Generally, these requirements may include residency, language proficiency, knowledge of the country’s history and culture, and a clean criminal record. It is advisable to consult the specific requirements of the country you are interested in for more accurate information.

What are the ways to obtain a passport in Europe?

There are various ways to obtain a passport in Europe, including obtaining citizenship through ancestry, marriage, or naturalization. In some cases, individuals may also be able to obtain a European passport through residency by investment programs offered by certain countries.

Can I obtain German Citizenship if my family were stripped of citizenship during WWII?

Yes, you may be eligible for German citizenship if your family was forced to leave Germany due to persecution by the Nazi regime. Germany has made it possible for descendants of individuals who were persecuted by the Nazis—primarily Jewish people, as well as others such as political dissidents and ethnic minorities—to reclaim citizenship under Article 116 of the German Basic Law (Grundgesetz).

Can you live anywhere in Europe with an EU passport?

According to the European Union as an “EU national, you have the right to live and move within the EU without being discriminated against on the grounds of nationality. You can also benefit from greater consumer protection than in your home country and, provided you meet certain requirements, can access healthcare anywhere in the EU.”

EU citizenship offers numerous benefits and opportunities for its citizens. It provides the right to freely travel, live, and work within any EU member state, fostering mobility and cultural exchange. EU citizenship also grants individuals the right to vote and stand as candidates in local and European Parliament elections, a crucial element in promoting active civic participation.

EU citizens benefit from consular protection from any EU member state when outside the EU, ensuring their safety and wellbeing. Furthermore, EU citizenship entitles individuals to social and economic rights, such as access to healthcare, education, and social welfare. These rights are crucial in ensuring equal opportunities and social inclusion for all EU citizens. 

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