04 June Citizenship

Which Country Gives Free Citizenship in Europe?

Ahmed hamdy Ahmed hamdy
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Many people dream of becoming a citizen of a European country, whether for visa-free travel, high-quality healthcare, education, or work and residency rights across the EU. But when people search for “which country gives free citizenship in Europe,” what they really want to know is: Which countries have the easiest, most affordable, and most accessible pathways to European citizenship?

While no EU country offers truly “free” citizenship with zero requirements, several offer fast-track routes via ancestry, marriage, naturalization, or residency, and a few even offer investment options with clear timelines. In this guide, we’ll explore the easiest EU countries to get citizenship, clarify what “free” really means, and provide a country-by-country breakdown of how to qualify.

What Does “Free Citizenship” Mean in Europe?

In Europe, free citizenship typically refers to low-cost or simplified paths to nationality, such as citizenship by descent or naturalization with minimal fees, rather than zero-cost or automatic citizenship. These are often accessible to:

People with European ancestry (parents or grandparents)
Long-term residents or legal immigrants
Spouses of EU citizens
Individuals who invest in specific countries

It’s important to understand that every EU member state has its own legal framework for acquiring nationality. Some countries offer fast-track citizenship in Europe, while others require longer residency or language exams.

Easiest Countries in Europe to Get Citizenship

Below is a list of the most accessible European countries to obtain citizenship based on residency duration, dual citizenship policies, and legal flexibility.

Portugal

Residency required: 5 years (via Golden Visa, D7 Visa, or employment)
Dual citizenship: Allowed
Language test: A2 Portuguese
Citizenship routes: Naturalization, descent, marriage, and citizenship by investment

Ireland

Residency required: 5 years, not necessarily continuous
Descent eligibility: Citizenship through an Irish parent or grandparent
Dual citizenship: Allowed
Language: English

Italy

Descent eligibility: No generational limit on paternal line
Residency required: 4 years for nationals of an EU Member State and 10 years for non-EU nationals
Language test: B1 Italia
Dual citizenship: Permitted

Sweden

Residency required: 5 years
Dual citizenship: Allowed
Language test: None (as of now)

Spain

Residency required: 10 years (reduced to 2 for Latin Americans, Andorrans, Sephardic Jews)
Language test: Spanish (A2) + cultural test
Dual citizenship: Allowed only for select countries

Poland

Descent eligibility: Widely recognized
Residency required: 3–5 years with permanent residence
Language test: B1 Polish
Dual citizenship: Allowed

France

Residency required: 5 years (2-3 years for students)
Language test: B1 French + cultural integration
Dual citizenship: Allowed

Netherlands

Residency required: 5 years
Language test: A2 Dutch + civic integration exam
Dual citizenship: Generally not allowed

Germany

Residency required: 5 years (6 with integration course, 3 if married to a citizen)
Language test: B1 German
Dual citizenship: Limited, with exceptions

What Are the Main Citizenship Routes in Europe?

To fully understand the easiest way to get citizenship in Europe, it’s helpful to break down the five most common legal paths:

Citizenship by Descent (Ancestry)

Often, the most affordable route, especially for those with recent European lineage.

Available in countries like Ireland, Italy, Poland, Spain, France, and Germany
Usually requires documentation like birth and marriage certificates proving unbroken lineage

Citizenship by Birthright

Some countries automatically grant citizenship to individuals born on their soil, though this is rare in Europe.

Examples: France, Portugal (under specific conditions), Ireland (before 2005 reforms)

Citizenship by Naturalization

Standard pathway requiring years of legal residence.

Typically 5–10 years
Requires language tests, clean record, and financial stability

Citizenship by Marriage

Marrying a citizen can reduce the naturalization timeline.

Ireland: 3 years of marriage + residence
Italy: 2 years of residence after marriage
Spain: 1 year of legal residence post-marriage

Citizenship by Investment

CBI programs are not free, but they’re the fastest citizenship in Europe for those who can afford it.

Countries offering Citizenship by Investment: Malta, Bulgaria, Austria
Countries offering Residency by Investment (leading to citizenship): Portugal, Greece, Spain

How to Apply for European Citizenship (Step-by-Step Guide)

Acquiring EU citizenship requires preparation, patience, and meeting country-specific legal requirements. Here’s a simplified step-by-step process that applies to most EU countries:

1. Determine Your Eligibility

Depending on your circumstances, you may qualify for:

Citizenship by descent (parent or grandparent from the EU)
Residency-based naturalization
Marriage to an EU citizen
Investment route

Use your ancestry records, immigration status, or investment capacity to identify the right path.

2. Choose a Country Based on Your Goals

Ask yourself:

Do you need the fastest EU citizenship?
Are you looking for low-cost naturalization?
Do you want to include your family members?
Are you avoiding countries that don’t allow dual citizenship?

For fast-track paths, consider Portugal, Malta, Ireland, or Bulgaria.

3. Gather the Required Documents

You will typically need:

Birth certificates (yours and your parents/grandparents)
Marriage certificates (if applying by marriage)
Residency permits or utility bills
Proof of income or self-sufficiency
Clean criminal background checks
Language or civic knowledge certificates

4. Apply for Residency (If Required)

If you do not qualify through ancestry or marriage, you’ll likely need to obtain legal residency first.

Recommended routes:

Portugal Golden Visa or D7 Visa
Greece Golden Visa
Malta Permanent Residency by Investment
Latvia Residency by Investment

5. Meet the Residency Duration Requirement

Depending on the country, you may need to live there for:

2–3 years (Spain, Ireland if married)
5 years (Portugal, France, Greece)
6–10 years (Germany, Italy, Austria)

6. Pass Language and Integration Tests (If Applicable)

Language proficiency is required in most cases:

Portugal – A2 Portuguese
France – B1 French
Germany – B1 German
Netherlands – A2 Dutch + Integration Exam

Some countries like Sweden and Ireland are more lenient.

7. Submit Your Citizenship Application

Applications must typically be submitted through:

The Ministry of Interior
Local immigration offices
Or consular services (for descent applicants)

Processing times vary but range from 6 months to 2 years.

8. Attend an Interview or Naturalization Ceremony

Some countries require a personal interview, especially for marriage-based applicants. Others may require you to swear allegiance or attend a formal ceremony.

Residency, Work Visas, and Naturalization Paths

For those not eligible by descent or marriage, starting with residency is often the only path toward citizenship.

Residency First, Then Citizenship

These countries offer easy pathways:

Portugal – 5 years to citizenship with minimal stay (7 days per year) via Golden Visa
Greece – Golden Visa leads to citizenship in 7 years (183 days residency per year)
Spain – Requires continuous 10 years of legal stay
Latvia – Residency program leads to citizenship in 10 years

Which country is Easier to get a work visa in in Europe?

If you’re skilled or a remote worker, these countries offer smoother visa processes:

Germany – EU Blue Card
Portugal – D8 Digital Nomad Visa
Netherlands – Startup and Highly Skilled Migrant Program
Spain – Digital Nomad and Freelance Visas

Work visas typically count toward your legal residency requirement.

Dual Citizenship and Travel Benefits

Dual citizenship is a key concern for many applicants, especially Americans and Indians. While not all EU countries allow dual citizenship, many do — and this can provide significant flexibility.

Countries in Europe That Allow Dual Citizenship:

Portugal
Italy
Ireland
France
Sweden
Malta
Bulgaria
Greece

Countries With Restrictions or Partial Allowance:

Germany – Limited exceptions
Netherlands – Must renounce unless special exemption
Austria – Very strict (only case-by-case via investment)

For more details, see:

- Full list of countries that allow dual citizenship
- Countries that do not allow dual citizenship

Country Comparison Table: Speed, Cost, and Accessibility

Choosing the easiest EU country to get citizenship depends on your goals — whether it’s speed, minimal residency, or cost-effectiveness. Here’s a comparison of key countries based on major factors:

Country	Citizenship Path	Time to Citizenship	Dual Citizenship	Language Requirement	Investment Needed
Portugal	Residency/Naturalization	5 years	Yes	A2 Portuguese	Optional (Golden Visa)
Ireland	Descent/Naturalization	5 years (or less via descent)	Yes	None (for descent)	None
Italy	Descent/Naturalization	Varies	Yes	Required for residency	None (for descent)
Spain	Residency/Naturalization	10 years (2 years for LatAm)	Limited	Yes	No (standard residency)
Sweden	Naturalization	5 years	Yes	No (as of now)	No
Malta	Investment/Naturalization	12 months (investment route)	Yes	Yes	Yes – €690,000+
Latvia	Residency to Citizenship	10 years	Yes	Yes	Yes – residency first
Greece	Residency to Citizenship	7 years	Yes	Yes	Yes – €250,000+
Germany	Naturalization	8 years	Limited	Yes	No
France	Naturalization	5 years	Yes	Yes	No

This comparison helps those seeking fastest EU citizenship, or an easiest EU passport to obtain, decide wisely.

Country Gives Free Citizenship – Frequently Asked Questions

Which Country Give Free Citizenship in Europe?

There is no EU country that offers truly “free” citizenship without any requirements. However, many offer low-cost or no-cost citizenship by descent, especially if you have a parent or grandparent from:

Ireland
Italy
Poland
Hungary
Germany
Lithuania

Which Country in Europe Is Easiest to Get Citizenship?

From a practical and cost-efficiency standpoint:

Ireland and Italy are best for those with ancestry.
Portugal is ideal for residency-based applicants due to its short 5-year path and minimal stay requirements.
Malta offers one of the fastest investment paths but requires substantial funding.

How to Get a EU Passport as an American?

Americans can get an EU passport by:

Claiming citizenship through a European ancestor.
Becoming a long-term resident (via visa, work, or investment).
Marrying an EU citizen and fulfilling residency requirements.

What European Countries Have Birthright Citizenship?

Most EU countries follow jus sanguinis (right of blood), not jus soli (right of soil). However:

France allows birthright citizenship under conditions.
Ireland used to, but changed the law in 2005.

Which Country Is the Easiest to Get a Work Visa in Europe?

Top options:

Germany – Blue Card (for skilled professionals)
Portugal – D8 and D7 visas
Spain – Digital Nomad Visa
Netherlands – Startup Visa

Work permits often lead to residency, which counts toward eventual citizenship.

Easiest Countries to Get Citizenship by Investment?

Citizenship-by-investment programs exist in:

These programs are not “free,” but are among the fastest paths for high-net-worth individuals.

See full list here: Citizenship by Investment Program

Final Thoughts: Easiest Way to Get Citizenship in Europe

While no country in Europe gives completely free citizenship, many offer accessible and affordable paths — especially through:

Descent (Italy, Ireland, Poland)
Residency (Portugal, Sweden, France)
Investment (Malta, Turkey)

If you’re asking “Where can I get citizenship easily?”, start by assessing your ancestry, budget, and long-term goals.

To explore all available routes — from citizenship by descent to citizenship by investment — consult our full resources at: Premium-Citizen.com

Summary

Getting European citizenship isn’t about finding a free handout — it’s about choosing the most realistic path based on your background, goals, and budget. Whether you have European ancestors, qualify through long-term residency, or wish to invest in your future, the easiest countries in Europe to get citizenship offer multiple entry points. From Portugal’s friendly naturalization laws to Ireland and Italy’s descent-based access, and Malta’s investment programs, there is a path for nearly every applicant.

Ready to Get Started?

Whether you’re an American seeking an EU passport, a remote worker planning a long-term base in Europe, or an investor looking for global mobility:

✅ Explore your options at Premium-Citizen.com
✅ View the latest updates on residency-by-investment
✅ Or contact us directly for a consultation.

Your second passport could be closer than you think.