What’s the Easiest Place to Get Citizenship in Europe? A Look at the Top 8 Countries

Looking for the easiest place to get citizenship in Europe?

You’ve come to the right place. This article will help you discover all the countries in Europe with efficient, accessible immigration schemes. After reading, you’ll understand what’s the easiest way to citizenship in Europe.

We understand each person’s situation is different. So, we highlight a variety of easy pathways to get citizenship in each country listed, ensuring you can choose a destination and naturalization process that’s right for you.

As you probably know, there are many benefits to gaining citizenship in a country on The Old Continent, including:

• Visa-free travel within the Schengen Area for EU member countries
• Access to high-quality healthcare and education systems
• The ability to live, work, and study in any EU country

While nearly every country in Europe has some sort of pathway to citizenship, some are easier than others. Our list of the top 10 highlights countries with accessible pathways to citizenship through residency, ancestry, or investment.

• Looking beyond Europe? Read our guide on the Easiest Countries for US Citizens to Get Citizenship.

Choosing the Easiest Place to Get Citizenship in Europe

We can’t definitively say one country is the easiest place to get citizenship in Europe. It depends on each individual’s situation, ancestry, investment capacity, and preferences for culture, climate, and more.

Note each nation on the list has dual citizenship agreements with the United States of America. For each country, we list data to help with your decision:

• Passport power ranking (sourced from Henley & Partners and Passport Index)
• Cost of living (data from Numbeo)
• Freedom ranking (sourced from Freedom House)
• Most realistic routes to obtain citizenship
• Time to obtain citizenship
• Links to start the process
• How to get citizenship by descent (note the citizenship through lineage route is the easiest way to get citizenship in Europe, if you qualify through family history and have the necessary documents)

Now, let’s look at the top 10 easiest countries to get citizenship in Europe, along with details on how to obtain that second passport.

1. Portugal

Image by Andrzej from Pixabay

How can you say no to 300 days of sunshine annually? Portugal, with its iconic coastlines, charming cities, and thriving tech industry, is a hub for those embracing the digital nomad or semi-retired lifestyle. Portugal is also one of the easiest countries to gain citizenship in Europe

• Passport power ranking: 4th (tie) (Henley & Partners); 3rd (tie) (Passport Index)
• Cost of living: 45.1 (New York City is 100)
• Freedom ranking: 96 (FREE)
• Routes to obtain citizenship: 
  • Golden Visa Program (residency by investment): Costs vary depending on type of investment. Choose among these options:
    • 500,000+ Euros in an investment fund for at least 5 years (note this should provide returns)
    • 500,000+ Euros supporting research of a public or private firm (400,000+ for low population area)
    • 250,000+ Euros supporting cultural heritage projects or artistic productions (200,000+ for low population area)
  • Permanent Residency: After 5 years of legal residency, individuals can apply for citizenship. You must pass a basic Portuguese language test and demonstrate integration into the country.
• Time to obtain citizenship: ~5 years of residency
  • For the Golden Visa route, only a total of 35 days of physical presence is needed in Portugal during the 5 years.
• Links to start the process
  • Link for Golden Visa investors
  • Link for the residency pathway
• How to get citizenship by descent in Portugal (if applicable)
  • If you have a parent or grandparent who is or was a citizen of Portugal, the country could be the easiest place to get citizenship in Europe for you. The Portuguese Embassy site has more info on citizenship by descent.

2. Greece

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Is Mediterranean life calling your name? Consider Greece, a country that offers everything from ancient ruins and lively culture to wonderful cuisine and sun-drenched beaches. Greece also just may be the easiest place to get citizenship in Europe.

• Passport power ranking: 5th (tie) (Henley & Partners); 3rd (tie) (Passport Index)
• Cost of living: 52.0 (New York City is 100)
• Freedom ranking: 85 (FREE)
• Routes to obtain citizenship: 
  • Golden Visa Program (residency by investment): Costs vary depending on type of investment. Note that your investment should deliver returns through rent and price appreciation. Choose among the following real estate or financial investments:
    • At least 250,000 Euros in approved real estate projects
    • At least 400,000 Euros for an investment property purchase (800,000 if buying in Athens, Thessaloniki or larger islands)
    • At least a 500,000 Euros capital contribution in a real estate investment company or mutual fund
    • At least 500,000 Euros fixed-term deposit in a Greek bank
    • At least 500,000 Euros in Greek government bonds (maturity of 3+ years)
  • Permanent Residency: After 7 years of legal residency, individuals can apply for citizenship. You must have knowledge of Greek language and culture to pass the citizenship test.
• Time to obtain citizenship: ~7 years
  • For the Golden Visa route, at least 183 days of physical residence is required each year.
• Links to start the process
  • Link for Golden Visa investors
  • Link for the residency pathway
• How to get citizenship by descent in Greece (if applicable)
  • If you have a parent or grandparent who is or was a Greek citizen, you can apply for citizenship by showing your lineage to the country. If you have a parent or grandparent who is or was a citizen of Portugal, the country could be the easiest place to get citizenship in Europe for you. This guide from Global Citizens Solutions has a detailed guide on the process.

3. Spain

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Spain, with incredible history, culture, cuisine, and natural beauty, is the place to live the good life. The country is arguably the easiest place to get citizenship in Europe too, thanks to investment, residency, and lineage options.

• Passport power ranking: 2nd (tie) (Henley & Partners); 2nd (Passport Index)
• Cost of living: 47.3 (New York City is 100)
• Freedom ranking: 90 (FREE)
• Routes to obtain citizenship: 
  • Permanent Residency: After 10 years of legal residency, individuals can apply for citizenship. You must pass an intermediate Spanish language test and demonstrate integration into the country.
  • Investor Visa program: Costs vary depending on type of investment. Note a real estate or public securities investment should deliver returns. Choose among the following options:
    • A real estate purchase of at least 500,000 Euros
    • An investment of at least 2 million Euros in public debt securities OR 1 million Euros in stock in a Spanish company (may also invest in a venture capital fund or make a bank deposit)
    • A business project of socio-economic interest (i.e. creates jobs, contributes to technological innovation, etc.)
• Time to obtain citizenship: ~10 years (~2 years for nationals of Latin American countries for the residency pathway to citizenship)
• Links to start the process
  • Link for investor visa pathway
  • Link for the residency pathway
• How to get citizenship by descent in Spain (if applicable): There are citizenship laws that Spain has implemented to offer citizenship by ancestry, making the country the easiest place to get citizenship in Europe for individuals who qualify. Specifically, the Historical Memory Law and Democratic Memory offer an expedited path to citizenship for those with ancestors who were exiled during the Spanish Civil War and dictatorship. Read more here.

4. Malta

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Journey to Malta, and you’ll experience amazing variety across its archipelago, from historic temples to top-notch scuba diving. Thanks to the streamlined citizenship-by-investment program, Malta could be the easiest place to get citizenship in Europe if you have savings (as fast as 12 months!).

• Passport power ranking: 7th (tie) (Henley & Partners); 8th (tie) (Passport Index)
• Cost of living: 52.8 (New York City is 100)
• Freedom ranking: 87 (FREE)
• Routes to obtain citizenship: 
  • Malta Individual Investor Programme (MIIP): Fulfill the following prerequisites:
    • Contribute at least 600,000 Euros for a residence period of 36+ months. OR, contribute at least 750,00 Euros for expedited processing time and residence period of 12+ months. Residency is required. 
    • Purchase real estate worth at least 700,000 Euros (must be held for 5 years). Alternatively, you can lease a home with rent totaling at least 16,000 Euros annually (a cheaper option).
    • Donate at least 10,000 Euros to a registered scientific, cultural, sports, or philanthropic organization.
  • Residency to Naturalization: Maltese citizenship can be obtained after 5 years of residency.
• Time to obtain citizenship: ~1 year for investment route; 5 years for residency route
• Links to start the process
  • Link for investor visa pathway
  • Link for the residency pathway
• How to get citizenship by descent in Malta (if applicable): According to the Maltese government, when “Malta became an Independent State on 21st September 1964, the Independence Constitution established who would be entitled to an automatic claim to Maltese citizenship by either birth or descent and who may register as a citizen of Malta.” If you qualify through your family lineage, you can start the application process HERE (by Birth section, which covers ancestry).

5. Cyprus

Photo by Hert Niks on Unsplash

With low taxes, exquisite beaches, and a Mediterranean climate, Cyprus is an attractive option for those looking for a second passport. Cyprus is also among the easiest countries to get citizenship in Europe thanks to the Golden Visa, naturalization, and ancestry options.

• Passport power ranking: 13th (Henley & Partners); 9th (Passport Index)
• Cost of living: 54.7 (New York City is 100)
• Freedom ranking: 92 (FREE)
• Routes to obtain citizenship: 
  • Golden Visa Program (residency by investment): Expenses vary by type of investment. Choose one of the options below. You should see a return on these types of investments.
    • At least 300,000 Euros real estate purchase (up to 2 properties)
    • At least 300,000 Euros investment in a Cyprus company employing at least 5 people
    • At least 300,000 Euros investment in the Cyprus Investment Funds Association
  • Permanent Residency to Citizenship: After 7 years of legal residence, you can apply for citizenship. Before applying, you must have had legal and continuous residence for the previous 12 months. You must have intermediate Greek language proficiency and knowledge of Cyprus culture to pass the citizenship test.
• Time to obtain citizenship: ~7 years (for both Golden Visa and residency routes)
• Links to start the process
  • Link for investor visa pathway
  • Link for the residency pathway
• How to get citizenship by descent in Cyprus (if applicable): You can obtain citizenship through Cypriot descent if you have at least one parent with Cypriot citizenship. For more information, see Cyprus’ Ministry of Interior site.

6. Poland

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Poland has among the most inclusive citizenship by descent policies (back to great-grandparents), making the country the easiest place in Europe to get citizenship for those with ancestral ties. 8.2 million Americans, or roughly 2.8% of the population, have Polish ancestry, so more people qualify than perhaps realized. Polish naturalization through the long-term residency route is also quite fast, compared to others on the continent.

• Passport power ranking: 6th (Henley & Partners); 4th (tie) (Passport Index)
• Cost of living: 40.8 (New York City is 100)
• Freedom ranking: 80 (FREE)
• Routes to obtain citizenship:
  • Ancestry: This is the fastest way to gain citizenship if you have a parent, grandparent, or great-grandparent who had or has Polish citizenship.
  • Naturalization through Residency: After 3 years of residency in Poland, you can apply for citizenship. You must have intermediate Polish language skills.
• Time to obtain citizenship: ~8+ months for ancestry route; 3—5 years for residency route
• Links to start the process
  • Link for ancestry pathway
  • Link for the residency pathway
• How to get citizenship by descent in Poland (if applicable): The Act on Polish Citizenship of 2009 has widened the ability of Polish people around the world to obtain citizenship in their ancestral homeland. Direct descendants may apply for citizenship if they have a parent, grandparent, or great-grandparent who was/is a Polish citizen who resided in the country after 1920 (some exceptions allowed).

7. Ireland

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31 million Americans, or 9% of the country, have ancestral ties to Ireland. For those who qualify for citizenship by descent, Ireland is the easiest place to get citizenship in Europe. The Emerald Isle, with a thriving economy, high quality of life, and amazing culture, is an excellent choice for a second passport. The naturalization process is also quite favorable, taking only 5 years.

• Passport power ranking: 3rd (tie) (Henley & Partners); 3rd (tie) (Passport Index)
• Cost of living: 64.4 (New York City is 100)
• Freedom ranking: 97 (FREE)
• Routes to obtain citizenship:
  • Ancestry: This is the fastest way to gain citizenship if you have a parent or grandparent with Irish citizenship.
  • Naturalization through Residency: After 5 years of residency in Ireland, you can apply for citizenship, with the requirement that you have spent at least one year in Ireland immediately prior to applying.
• Time to obtain citizenship: ~9+ months for ancestry route; 5+ years for residency route
• Links to start the process
  • Link for ancestry pathway
  • Link for the residency pathway
• How to get citizenship by descent in Ireland (if applicable): The Irish Department of Foreign Affairs states “if you or your parent were born on the island of Ireland before 2005, you are an Irish citizen” and “if your parent was an Irish citizen when you were born, you can apply for Irish citizenship through the Foreign Birth Register.” If a grandparent was born on the island of Ireland, “you can become an Irish citizen through Foreign Birth Registration.”

8. Italy

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16 million people in the United States, or 4.8% of the population, have Italian ancestry. This makes Italy potentially the easiest place to get citizenship in Europe for many folks. When you consider the great cuisine, culture, and lifestyle, it’s a no-brainer if you have family ties to Italy. The naturalization and Golden Visa programs are other options, but take longer than some other countries on the continent.

• Passport power ranking: 2nd (tie) (Henley & Partners); 3rd (tie) (Passport Index)
• Cost of living: 56.2 (New York City is 100)
• Freedom ranking: 90 (FREE)
• Routes to obtain citizenship:
  • Ancestry: This is the fastest way to gain citizenship if you have ancestral ties to Italy.
  • Naturalization through Residency: You can apply for citizenship after 10 years of legal residency.
  • Golden Visa Program (residency by investment): Costs vary by type of investment. You should see a return on your investment with the bonds or stock options (note the public interest project option is a DONATION). Choose one of the following:
    • At least 2 million Euros in Italian government bonds
    • At least 500,000 Euros in Italian stock (250,000 Euros if investing in an approved startup)
    • At least 1 million Euros in a public interest project, such as education, culture, ecology, etc. Note this is a DONATION that is non-refundable.
• Time to obtain citizenship: ~6+ months for ancestry route; 10+ years for residency and investment route
• Links to start the process
  • Link for ancestry pathway
  • Link for investor visa pathway
  • Link for the residency pathway
• How to get citizenship by descent in Italy (if applicable): Per the Consulate General of Italy, “the Italian ancestor who emigrated abroad must have been born in Italy after March 17th, 1861 (when the Kingdom of Italy was proclaimed), or after their place of birth had been annexed to the Kingdom of Italy.” There are no generational limits as long as the lineage was never renounced.

Finding the Easiest Place to Get Citizenship in Europe for You!

The good news is your options abound! It can be overwhelming, but to truly figure out what’s the easiest place to get citizenship in Europe, consider:

• Ancestry: Do you have direct ties to a country in Europe? If so, this is the fastest and cheapest way to get citizenship if you have the necessary documents.
• Residency period: Is the timeline and requirements for residency feasible for you?
• Investment amount: If you are choosing a Golden Visa program or similar scheme, are the capital requirements feasible for you?
• Language requirements: Many of the easiest countries to get citizenship in Europe still require at least intermediate language requirements. Prepare to meet those if you’re not there yet.

After addressing these topics, you should know what the easiest place to get citizenship in Europe is. Be sure to check this article regularly. We will be adding more countries and updating information as immigration policies are always changing.

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About the Author

Nick Callos has always had a passion for reading, writing, and discovering the new and unknown. Originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, Nick holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English from Boston College. He currently splits his time between his hometown, Chengdu, China, and the open road. A full-time travel writer, Nick hopes his work can inspire others to explore the world more deeply and enjoy the digital nomad lifestyle.

Featured image by Christian_Birkholz from Pixabay