How to Get EU Citizenship: Your Essential Guide in 2026

Live in Paris, start a business in Berlin, or retire in Portugal, without visas, border restrictions, or extra paperwork. That is the everyday reality for millions of EU citizens, and it is why so many people ask how to get EU citizenship.

This guide covers how to become a citizen of the European Union, whether you qualify through ancestry, marriage, work, investment, or European residency. It covers the real options available and the details you need to know.

EU Citizenship at a Glance: What It Really Means

5 Pathways to EU Citizenship

EU citizenship matters if you plan to live, work, or travel across Europe.

What EU Citizenship Really Is

When you hold citizenship in any of the 27 EU member states, such as Italy, Germany, Portugal, or Spain, you are automatically recognised as a citizen of the European Union. This status grants you rights both within your country of nationality and across the EU.

Additional agreements extend these rights to Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland, giving access to much of Europe for living, working, studying, and travelling.

Core Rights of EU Citizens

Here is what being an EU citizen gives you:

EU citizenship offers freedom of movement and benefits for you and your family.

Here is how you can qualify for EU citizenship based on your background and situation.

EU Citizenship vs Residency: Not the Same

Being a resident of an EU country (through a visa or permit) is not the same as being a citizen.

Many people confuse the two, but citizenship gives the fullest security and rights.

Dual Citizenship: Can You Keep Your Original Passport?

One of the biggest concerns people have is whether they'll lose their original citizenship (like U.S., Canadian, British, Australian, etc.) when they become an EU citizen.

• Many EU countries allow dual citizenship, like Italy, Ireland, Portugal, France, and Sweden.
• Some are stricter, like Austria or Germany (although Germany is relaxing its laws in 2024).
• Rules vary, but most non-EU countries (like the U.S., Canada, and Australia) don't force you to give up your original citizenship either.

How to Qualify for EU Citizenship

There are five main ways you can qualify for EU citizenship:

• By Descent: If you have parents, grandparents, or even great-grandparents from an EU country.
• By Marri a ge: Through marrying an EU citizen, leading to a faster naturalisation process.
• By Naturalisation: After living legally in an EU country for several years.
• By Investment: Through Golden Visa programmes or direct investment in select EU countries.
• By Work and Employment: Building residency rights through long-term employment and legal stay.

Each path has different requirements depending on the country.

Residence periods reflect each country's national rules and the EU Court of Justice ruling on Malta (Case C-181/23, 29 April 2025). Portugal's figures follow Lei Orgânica 1/2026, in force 19 May 2026. Always confirm current requirements with the relevant government authority. Last reviewed 25 June 2026.

You may need to show:

• Minimum years of residency
• Basic language skills
• Integration into local culture
• Clean criminal background

Important to Know

Not all EU countries make the path to citizenship equally easy.

Some countries offer:

• Residency-by-investment (Golden Visa) routes that can lead to citizenship over time
• Shorter residency periods before applying
• Flexible dual citizenship policies
• Special programs for Americans, Brits, Australians, and other non-EU citizens

How to Get EU Citizenship Through Investment

For those without European ancestry, investing in certain EU countries can offer a powerful route to citizenship.

Through strategic real estate purchases, business investments, or government contributions, you can gain residency and later full EU citizenship while building assets at the same time.

Here are the top countries offering real investment pathways in 2026:

Portugal: Golden Visa & Citizenship by Investment

Key Updates

• In late 2023, real estate investments were no longer eligible for Golden Visas.
• Since 19 May 2026 the qualifying residency period is 7 years (EU and Portuguese-speaking nationals) or 10 years (others), counted from when your residence permit is issued, not from the application date (Lei Orgânica 1/2026).
• In 2023, the introduction of new Golden Visa investment options included funds, scientific research, cultural support, and business creation.

Timeline to citizenship

• 7 years of legal residency for EU and Portuguese-speaking (CPLP) nationals, or 10 years for all others, since 19 May 2026 (Lei Orgânica 1/2026). The Golden Visa keeps a low physical-presence requirement of 7 days in the first year and 14 days per year afterwards.
• Under Lei Orgânica 1/2026 (in force 19 May 2026), only time spent holding a valid residence permit counts toward naturalisation; time spent waiting for a decision or under an expression of interest no longer counts.

Key Benefits

• This is a residency route to citizenship, with naturalisation possible after 7 years for EU and Portuguese-speaking nationals or 10 years for others, since 19 May 2026.
• Residency flexibility: low physical presence, 7 days in the first year and 14 days per year afterwards.
• Strong passport: visa-free access to over 180 countries worldwide.
• Family inclusion: spouse, children, and dependant parents included.
• Attractive lifestyle: top healthcare, international schools, and overall quality of life.
• Tax incentives: Tax planning opportunities (note: the NHR regime closed to new applicants in 2024).

Spain: Golden Visa Program (Real Estate Option Ended)

Important Update: Spain's Golden Visa real estate investment option ended on April 3, 2025. The Spanish government terminated this route due to housing market concerns.

Historical investment options included:

Investment Options (Historical)

• €500,000 real estate purchase (no longer available)
• Business investment creating jobs or adding innovation
• Significant bank deposit or government bond

For those seeking Spanish residency, alternative routes include work visas, the Digital Nomad Visa, non-lucrative visas, or entrepreneur visas. Citizenship still requires 10 years of legal residency (or 2 years for nationals of Ibero-American countries, Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea, Portugal, and Sephardic Jews).

Malta: Citizenship for Exceptional Services by Direct Investment (Program Terminated)

Important Update: Malta's MEIN citizenship-by-investment program was declared illegal by the European Court of Justice on April 29, 2025, ruling it violated EU law. The program is no longer accepting new applications.

Malta previously offered a rare direct citizenship route, without needing years of residency first. Historical requirements were:

Requirements (Historical)

• €600,000 contribution to the national development fund after 36 months of residency, or
• €750,000 contribution after 12 months (fast-track option).
• €700,000 property purchase (or €16,000/year lease).
• €10,000 charitable donation.

For current EU citizenship options via investment, consider Portugal's Golden Visa or Greece's Golden Visa, which offer residency that can lead to citizenship after about 7 to 10 years, depending on nationality and physical-presence rules.

Italy: Investor Visa Leading to Citizenship

Italy offers an attractive investor visa program, opening residency for

• €250,000 investment in an innovative startup.
• €500,000 in an Italian company.
• €2 million in government bonds.
• €1 million in a philanthropic initiative.

Timeline to citizenship

Ten years of legal residency are required.

Key Benefits

• You have access to the entire Schengen Zone.
• There is no mandatory physical stay beyond the basic annual renewal.
• Once they are naturalised, they will have full rights to public healthcare and education.

Greece: Golden Visa Program

Investment Options (2026 Thresholds)

• €800,000 for prime areas: Athens (entire Attica region), Thessaloniki, Mykonos, Santorini, plus 32 other popular islands including Crete, Rhodes, Corfu.
• €400,000 for all other areas.
• €250,000 available only for commercial-to-residential conversions of listed heritage buildings (strict conditions apply; most investors face €400k–€800k thresholds).

Timeline to citizenship

The requirement is 7 years of legal residency.

Key Benefits

• There is no requirement for physical residency; simply owning the asset suffices.
• The Schengen Zone allows for movement without the need for a visa.
• Access to affordable European healthcare and education.

Citizenship by Descent (Ancestry)

For many people, proving ancestral ties is one of the most powerful and emotional ways to become an EU citizen.

If you have parents, grandparents, or even great-grandparents from an EU country, you might qualify for citizenship automatically. But each country has its own rules, and the documentation standards are strict.

How to Prove Ancestral Ties

Typically, you'll need to prove an unbroken chain from your EU ancestor to yourself. This means collecting and submitting:

• Birth certificates
• Marriage certificates
• Citizenship or naturalisation records
• Apostilled and officially translated documents

Small issues, like name misspellings, missing records, or unclear timelines, can derail your application, so careful preparation matters.

Portugal

Portugal allows citizenship by descent if at least one parent is Portuguese at the time of your birth. If your grandparent is Portuguese, you may still qualify if you can show a strong connection to Portugal (such as language ability or cultural ties). Generally, people don't accept great-grandparent claims unless they provide exceptional proof.

Italy

Italy has some of the most generous ancestry laws in Europe. As of May 24, 2025 (Law 74/2025), claims are generally limited to first or second degree ancestors (parents or grandparents) unless specific exceptions apply as long as you can document the line. However, births before 1948 are subject to additional restrictions when claiming through the maternal line (court applications may be required).

Spain

Spain offers nationality of origin to the children of a Spanish parent, regardless of where the child is born. Grandchildren may qualify if their parent registered with Spanish authorities before their birth. Spain's Democratic Memory Law (Ley 20/2022) offered a route for descendants of Spaniards affected by historical exile, but its application window closed on 22 October 2025.

Malta

Malta allows citizenship by descent if you have at least one Maltese parent at birth. The program has recently expanded to allow descendants of Maltese emigrants (such as those born in Australia, the U.S., and Canada) to reclaim citizenship under certain conditions.

Greece

Greece grants citizenship to descendants of Greek citizens, especially if the birth was registered in Greece. If you have a Greek parent or grandparent, you can apply, but you must prove the family link through official Greek documents.

Germany

Germany recognises citizenship by descent primarily for children of German citizens. Since 2021 (§15 of the Nationality Act), descendants of people who lost or were denied German citizenship under Nazi persecution have a statutory right to naturalisation. Otherwise, claims based on ancestry beyond the first generation (i.e., grandparents and great-grandparents) are more restricted when compared to countries such as Italy.

How Much Does It Cost to Get EU Citizenship or Residency?

EU citizenship or residency comes with costs that vary by pathway.

Here's what to expect:

Investment Minimums: Golden Visa Programs

If you're pursuing EU citizenship via a Golden Visa or investment residency program, the costs are significantly higher upfront:

Additional fees like processing charges, due diligence checks, and family member inclusion can easily add 30,000 to 100,000 euros or more depending on the country.

Golden Visa vs Naturalisation: Cost Comparison

EU citizenship costs both time and money. Some paths are affordable but slow; others are faster but expensive.

Here are the typical costs by route.

As you can see, naturalisation routes like descent or marriage are often far more affordable, but they demand time and patience. Investment paths like the Golden Visa come with a high price tag but reward you with faster residency rights and flexibility.

How to Get EU Citizenship as an American

1. Naturalisation Through Residency

Typically, the process involves living in a country for several continuous years, integrating into society, learning the local language, and demonstrating ties to the community.

Key Factors to Expect

• Proof of legal residence
• Language proficiency (varies by country)
• Knowledge of local culture or passing a basic civics exam
• Clean criminal record
• Financial self-sufficiency

Examples:

• Portugal: Naturalisation after 7 years of residency for EU and Portuguese-speaking (CPLP) nationals, or 10 years for others, since 19 May 2026.
• Spain: Requires 10 years of residency, reduced to 2 years for nationals of Ibero-American countries, Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea, Portugal, and Sephardic Jews (Código Civil art. 22).

2. Citizenship by Investment

Several EU countries offer residency through investment, which can eventually lead to citizenship.

Investors are granted residency rights after making qualifying investments in real estate, business, funds, or government bonds. After maintaining residency and meeting national requirements, they may become eligible to apply for citizenship.

Portugal and Greece remain top destinations offering Golden Visa programmes with paths toward citizenship. (Note: Spain's real estate GV ended April 2025; Malta's citizenship program was terminated by ECJ ruling in April 2025.)

Common Investment Types

• Investment in regulated investment funds
• Strategic real estate purchases (where still allowed)
• Business creation that generates local jobs
• Donations supporting scientific research or cultural projects

3. Citizenship by Descent

If you have European ancestry, you might be eligible for citizenship through descent. Key countries offering this pathway include:

• Italy: Generally limited to parents/grandparents since Law 74/2025 (effective May 24, 2025); post-1948 maternal line claims may still apply if citizenship was not renounced.
• Poland: Available if ancestors maintained Polish citizenship after 1920.
• Germany: Recognised for descendants of German citizens, including those impacted by Nazi-era laws.
• Portugal: The special naturalisation route for descendants of Sephardic Jews was repealed by Lei Orgânica 1/2026 and is closed to new applications from 19 May 2026.
• Spain: Offered to children of a Spanish parent; the Democratic Memory Law window for descendants of exiles closed on 22 October 2025.
• Ireland: Eligible if a parent or grandparent was born in Ireland.

4. Work and Business Pathways

Employment or entrepreneurship in the EU can lead to residency and eventually citizenship:

• EU Blue Card: For highly skilled workers; offers a pathway to permanent residency and citizenship.
• Startup Visas: Countries like France and Italy offer visas for entrepreneurs planning to establish innovative businesses. ​

Note: These pathways typically require a job offer or business plan, along with financial stability.

5. Citizenship Through Marriage

Marrying an EU citizen can significantly shorten the path to citizenship. Most EU countries offer accelerated naturalisation timelines for spouses, often reducing residency requirements compared to standard applicants.

Typical conditions include maintaining the marriage for several years, demonstrating ties to the country, passing basic language tests, and meeting residency obligations.

While timelines and integration requirements vary, countries like Portugal, Spain, Italy, and France provide well-established spousal routes to citizenship.

6. Dual Citizenship Considerations

The United States allows dual citizenship, and many EU countries permit Americans to retain US citizenship once they are naturalised.

However, a few EU nations require individuals to renounce prior citizenships unless specific exemptions apply.

Here's a quick overview:

How to Get EU Citizenship as a UK Citizen

Brexit reshaped the rights of British nationals across Europe, removing automatic freedom of movement, work, and residency rights across the EU.

But many pathways remain open for those looking to regain their European status.

Restoring European Mobility: Main Pathways

While no single program "undoes" Brexit, several options help UK citizens reclaim access to the EU:

Top Countries Where Brits Are Moving to Regain EU Rights

Certain EU countries have emerged as Britain's favourites for restoring their European footprints.

How to Get Citizenship Through Marriage

Marrying an EU citizen can offer a faster and simpler path to citizenship, but it's not automatic. Each country sets its own rules, and requirements can vary significantly.

In most cases, you'll need to:

• Live in the EU country where your spouse is a citizen for a few years before applying.
• Prove the marriage is genuine with shared residency, family ties, or joint financial commitments.
• Pass basic integration tests, such as a language or civics exam (depending on the country).
• Maintain a clean legal record and demonstrate financial stability.

Some countries offer notably faster timelines:

Portugal

Citizenship can be acquired after 3 years of marriage or a recognised civil partnership, even without living in Portugal, but you must prove an effective connection to the Portuguese community; for marriages of under 6 years that proof is assessed more strictly under Lei Orgânica 1/2026.

Spain

If you're married to a Spanish citizen and reside in Spain, you can apply for citizenship after just 1 year of legal residency.

Italy

You can apply after completing 2 years of residency in Italy or after living abroad for 3 years. If you have minor children (under 18, biological or adopted) with your spouse, the timeline reduces by half.

Greece

Marriage to a Greek citizen gives access to residency. The reduced 3-year naturalisation period applies only if you also have a child together; otherwise the standard 7-year residence requirement applies.

Malta

There's no automatic shortcut through marriage, but it can strengthen your case for naturalisation after 5 years of residency and proof of integration.

While this is one of the more affordable routes to EU citizenship, it still involves careful documentation and time.

Check the exact requirements in your spouse's country, and consider speaking with a local immigration expert.

How to Get Citizenship Through Work or Business

Working or building a business in the EU can lead to long-term residency and full citizenship. This type of visa is a popular route for skilled professionals, digital nomads, and entrepreneurs who want to live in Europe long-term without relying on ancestry or investment capital.

While the path is usually longer than other routes, it's also one of the most accessible for non-EU nationals with employable skills or business plans.

How to Become Naturalised in Europe

Naturalisation is the most common pathway to EU citizenship for people without ancestry, marriage, or investment options.

It involves legally living in an EU country for several years and meeting integration requirements, such as language skills, community ties, and a clean legal record.

Choosing Your Route

There is a route to EU citizenship for most situations, whether through ancestry, marriage, work, or investment.

Some paths are slow but cheap; others are faster but more expensive. Choose by your timeline and budget.

Sources

This guide draws on official EU and national government sources:

• Your Europe: EU Residence Rights
• SEF Portugal (now AIMA): Golden Visa and citizenship
• Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Nationality law
• Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Citizenship by descent
• German Federal Foreign Office: 2024 citizenship reforms
• Irish Department of Foreign Affairs: Irish citizenship
• Greek Ministry of Migration: Golden Visa program

Last reviewed: June 2026. Citizenship laws change frequently, so always confirm with official sources or qualified legal counsel.