Europe citizenship for foreign nationals [Step by Step Process]

Dreaming of becoming a European citizen? Many foreign nationals can obtain EU citizenship through ancestry, residency, or investment. Here’s a step-by-step guide to making it happen. A powerful story of changing identity unfolded throughout the European Union during 2024 as citizenship was granted to over 1.1 million individuals. That number, a reflection of changing populations and integration efforts, signifies a notable 6.1% increase from the previous year, based on Eurostat figures. The Iberian Peninsula, the Italian boot, and the German heartland became the primary channels for such transitions, and Spain, Italy, and Germany dominated in sheer numbers of naturalizations issued. Outside the EU, the largest groups of new citizens came from Syria, Morocco, Albania, and Sweden, which stood out as having the most naturalizations per existing population. Discover the step-by-step process to obtain European citizenship as a foreign national. Learn about eligibility, requirements, and application procedures for EU countries.

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Europe Citizenship for Foreign nationals [Step by Step Process]

Although there are no direct EU citizenship grants in Germany, Spain, and Italy in 2024 in the form of direct financial assistance for acquiring citizenship, these nations play a crucial role in the overall context of EU citizenship acquisition. In 2023, they were the top three EU countries issuing citizenship, with Spain at 22.9% of the total, followed by Italy at 20.3%, and Germany at 19.0%. The main routes to citizenship in these nations are naturalization by residence, marriage to a citizen, and in certain cases, by descent. Each nation has its particular requirements concerning the length of legal residence, language skills, financial resources, and integration into society.

In 2024, Germany enacted a new law of citizenship in June, shortening the normal period of residence for naturalization from eight to five years and even to three years for those showing outstanding integration. Spain normally demands ten years' legal residence for naturalization, but this is shortened to two years for citizens of Latin American nations, Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea, Portugal, or of Sephardic origin. Italy also usually demands ten years of legal residence for naturalization, but it is perhaps most famous for its citizenship by descent legislation, where people who have Italian roots can claim citizenship without the requirement of residence, as long as they satisfy certain conditions about their ancestry and their ancestors' status. It should be emphasized that although these nations allow for citizenship by different channels, direct grants to pay the cost of application fees or other related expenses are not a regular part of their citizenship procedure.

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Top-Tier Citizenship Issuers in the Europe

Spain, Italy, and Germany were the go-to countries, issuing over 6 in 10 new EU citizenships.
Spain: Nearly a quarter, 22.9% of all new EU citizenships were granted by Spain that's 240,200 people.
Italy: Italy welcomed the next largest group, with 20.3% of the total 213,600 new citizens.
Germany: Germany also played a big role, granting 19% of all new EU citizenships, 199,800 individuals.
France: France followed, issuing 9.3% of new citizenship,s 97,300 people.
Sweden: Sweden granted 6.5% of the total new citizenship,s 67,800 individuals.

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Top Groups Gaining EU Nationality

The overwhelming majority, nearly 9 out of 10 of the new EU citizens, were from countries not previously in the EU.
The single largest group to acquire EU citizenship was from Syria, 107,500 individuals.
Close on their heels were immigrants from Morocco, with 106,500 becoming EU citizens.
A large portion of Albanians also became citizens of the EU 44,400 individuals.
These figures highlight the extent to which Syrians, Moroccans, and Albanians are becoming an integral part of the EU's multicultural society.

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New Citizen Integration Across the EU

The pace at which non-EU residents were naturalized varied considerably between member states.
For each 100 residents of Sweden who were not citizens, almost 8 became citizens, the highest rate in the EU 7.9.
Romania also experienced a huge number of foreign nationals acquiring their citizenship at 5.9 per 100.
Italy's proportion was also significant, with approximately 4 out of every 100 non-citizen inhabitants acquiring citizenship 4.1.
Conversely, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia had the lowest number of non-citizens becoming citizens, indicating that they have other means of giving citizenship.

Why choose EU migration for your future?

Migrating to the European Union offers an attractive set of possibilities for individuals looking for a new experience in their lives. The multicultural background, languages, and scenery within the EU are a fertile field for personal and professional development as well as finding oneself. aside from the culture, the EU tends to enjoy robust economies that have diversified workplaces, especially for skilled professionals, offering possibilities of career growth as well as secure finances. In addition, the focus on social welfare in most EU member states can provide access to strong healthcare systems, educational facilities, and social safety nets, leading to an increased standard of living for migrants and their families. The adherence to human rights and the rule of law by the EU also gives migrants a sense of security and predictability while they search for asylum or better living conditions.

In addition, the mobility under the Schengen Area, for those granted the right of residence in a country of an EU member state, brings forth unprecedented opportunities to travel and experience the world of the continent. Such mobility is a powerful enticement to those who seek to expand their horizons, engage with new cultures, and establish global contacts. While the integration process is prone to problems, the prospects for greater individual and professional growth and the cultural and social diversity of the European Union make it an appealing choice to many as they seek a fresh start and full-fledged integration in the long run.