There are a number of reasons why someone might want to seek citizenship in another country. It could be for work or family reasons, or simply because they feel a connection to the culture and values of that nation. Regardless of the motivation, getting citizenship can be a long and difficult process.
There are, however, a few European countries that are relatively easy to get citizenship. To help you out, we’ve compiled a list of the easiest European countries to get citizenship and why it’s easy to get citizenship there.
1. Portugal
Portugal is a European country located on the Iberian Peninsula. It is the westernmost country in Europe and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the west and south and Spain to the north and east.
Portugal’s Golden Visa program is one of the most popular programs for obtaining citizenship in Europe. Under this program, applicants must make a real estate investment of at least €280,000 to get their residency within 6 months and their citizenship within 5 years.
2. Malta
Malta is an island country in the Mediterranean Sea that is part of the European Union. Despite its small size, Malta is a popular tourist destination and is known for its sunny weather, historic buildings, and beautiful beaches.
Malta offers a number of citizenship programs that make it relatively easy to obtain citizenship. The Individual Investor Programme (IIP) is one of the most popular programs. Under this program, applicants must make a financial investment in Malta of at least €750,000 to get their citizenship within 12 months.
3. Ireland
Ireland is an island country located in the North Atlantic Ocean. It is the second-largest island in Europe after Great Britain and is also a part of the European Union. Ireland is known for its beautiful landscapes, friendly people, and rich culture.
The Irish residency program is one of the easiest ways to get citizenship in Ireland. Under this program, applicants must live in Ireland for 5 years to get their residency and then can apply for citizenship. The lack of language requirements and the fast processing time make this program very attractive to applicants.
4. Sweden
Sweden is a Scandinavian country located in Northern Europe. It is the third-largest country in the European Union and is known for its high standard of living, excellent social welfare system, and picturesque scenery.
Sweden’s path to citizenship is fairly straightforward and definitely one of the easiest in Europe. To obtain citizenship, applicants must first get a residence permit and then live in Sweden for 5 years. If you marry a Swedish citizen and learned the language, you can apply for citizenship after only 3 years.
5. France
France is a Western European country located on the continent of Europe. It is the largest country in the EU and is known for its fashion, wine, cuisine, art, history, and Descartes.
France’s citizenship process is not as easy as some of the other countries on this list, but it is still relatively simple compared to most other European nations. To become a French citizen, you must first live in France for 5 years and then pass a French language test and a civics exam.
6. Belgium
Belgium is a small country located in Western Europe. It is bordered by France, Luxembourg, Germany, and the Netherlands. Belgium is known for its medieval towns, Renaissance architecture, delicious chocolate, and waffles.
The process for obtaining Belgian citizenship is one of the shortest and most straightforward of any European country. To become a Belgian citizen, you must first live in Belgium for 5 years and then pass their language test which assesses your ability to speak, understand, read and write in Belgium’s official languages of French, Dutch, and German.
7. Netherlands
A country located in Northwestern Europe, the Netherlands is also known as Holland. The Netherlands is a small but densely populated country and is known for its windmills, tulips, clogs, and cheese.
Obtaining Dutch citizenship is relatively easy compared to other European countries. You can apply for Dutch citizenship if you have lived in the Netherlands for 5 years. You will, however, need to pass a language test to prove your proficiency in Dutch and give up your current citizenship.
8. United Kingdom
The United Kingdom is a country located off the northwestern coast of mainland Europe. It is known for its rainy weather, fish and chips, pubs, and red buses.
Although Brexit has created some uncertainty about the process of obtaining British citizenship, it is still one of the easiest ways to become a citizen of Europe. To obtain British citizenship, you must first live in the UK for 5 years and then pass the Life in the UK test which assesses your knowledge of British culture, history, and politics.
What Are The Benefits of Getting European Citizenship?
There are many benefits to obtaining European citizenship. Europe is known for its high standard of living, and as a citizen of Europe, you will have access to free healthcare, education, and other social welfare benefits. You will also be able to travel and work freely throughout the European Union.
Whether you are looking for an easy way to obtain citizenship or want to live in one of Europe’s beautiful countries, any of the countries on this list would be a great choice. Each country has its own unique culture and attractions, so you are sure to find one that suits your needs and preferences.
So, what exactly do you get as a European citizen? Here are some of the benefits:
1. The ability to travel and work freely throughout the European Union
2. Free healthcare and education
3. Access to social welfare benefits
4. A stable political system
5. A high standard of living
6. A rich culture and history
7. Beautiful scenery
8. Delicious food
9. Friendly people
10. A safe and welcoming environment
All these and more are some of the reasons why getting European citizenship is a great idea. So, if you are looking for an easy and efficient way to get citizenship in Europe, any of the countries on this list would be a great choice.
Best Citizenship To Get in Europe
All the countries above offer an easy way to obtain citizenship, but if we had to rank the top 5 based on factors certain as the quality of life, safety, healthcare, education, climate, and cost of living, then these would be the best citizenship to get in Europe:
1. Netherlands
With its strong economy, safety, and high-quality healthcare and education, the Netherlands ranks as one of the best European countries to get citizenship. The Netherlands also has a mild climate and is one of the most affordable countries in Europe.
2. Sweden
Known for its high standard of living, Sweden is a great choice for those looking for a European country with a strong economy and high-quality healthcare and education. Sweden also ranks highly in terms of safety. However, its cold climate may not be for everyone.
3. United Kingdom
The United Kingdom is a great choice for those looking to become European citizens. Although it is one of the more expensive countries in Europe, the UK has a strong economy and high-quality healthcare and education. The UK is also a safe country with a mild climate.
4. France
France is another good choice for those looking to become European citizens. It has a strong economy and is known for its high-quality healthcare and education. The safety index is high in France and it has a mild climate. The only downside is that it is one of the more expensive countries in Europe.
5. Belgium
Like the Netherlands, Belgium has a strong economy and is known for its high-quality healthcare and education. Belgium is also a safe country with a mild climate. The only downside to becoming a Belgian citizen is that it is one of the more expensive countries in Europe.
Final Word
There are many reasons people may want to apply for citizenship in Europe. Some people may want to take advantage of the free movement of people within the European Union, while others may want to take advantage of the EU’s generous welfare system.
Whatever your reasons for wanting to become a European citizen, getting citizenship in Europe is not as easy as it may seem. However, if you are willing to put in the work, there are a number of countries that offer citizenship relatively easily. The countries that we listed offer a fast track to citizenship for those who meet the requirements.
So, what are you waiting for? Start your journey to becoming a European citizen today!
