If you have citizenship status of a member state of the European Union, you can work, travel or study anywhere in the EU area without a visa. It will take you several years to gain citizenship status. In order to obtain citizenship from a member state of the European Union, you must submit an application from one of its member states. The process varies from country to country. In general, you will have to live in an EU country for a number of years to collect proof of your eligibility to become a citizen and then submit an application in that country. There are citizenship tests, language tests and application fees that you may have to pay. If you have lived in one of the EU countries long enough, you will have a high chance of obtaining citizenship status.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Eligibility
Step 1. Live in a member state of the European Union
If you are not already residing there, you will need to move to one of its member countries to become a resident of that country. Immigrating to a new country is a serious and expensive decision as you will need a visa, find a job, learn a new language, and live in the country for several years.
- There are 28 member states of the European Union. If you become a citizen of a member state of the European Union, you will also become a citizen of the European Union. However, each country has different citizenship requirements.
- Remember that not all European countries are members of the European Union. You will not get EU citizenship if you move to Norway, Macedonia or Switzerland.
- Keep in mind that the United Kingdom is in the process of leaving the European Union. If you apply to become a UK citizen, you may not have permanent EU citizenship.
Step 2. Determine how long you have to stay in the country of your choice until you can become a citizen of that country
Most states require you to live there for at least 5 years. However, some countries require more than 5 years. Check how long you have to stay in the country of your choice before you submit your citizenship application.
For example, you have to live in Germany for 8 years to get a passport. In France, you only have to live there for 5 years
Step 3. Consider your spouse's nationality
If your spouse has citizenship of one of the European Union countries, you may also be able to ask them to sponsor you for citizenship. Depending on your spouse's nationality, marriage to an EU citizen may shorten your stay before you submit your citizenship application.
In Sweden, you usually have to live there for 5 years before you can become a citizen of the country. However, if you are married or in a registered relationship with a Swedish citizen, you only need to live there for 3 years
Step 4. Learn the language of the country where you live
Many EU countries have language requirements that must be met before you can become a citizen of their country. Some countries require you to attend language classes, while others only require you to take a basic language test. Countries that require you to take a language test include:
- Hungary
- German
- Latvia
- romania
- Denmark
Step 5. Check if you have ancestors in EU countries
Some EU countries allow the children or grandchildren of their citizens to obtain citizenship status as well, even if they do not live in those countries. This law is called ius sanguinis (rights based on heredity).
- Ireland, Italy and Greece will grant citizenship to the children and grandchildren of their citizens. Hungary even includes great-grandchildren on its list.
- In Germany and in the United Kingdom, you can only get citizenship if your parents are also German or British citizens.
- Some countries have requirements relating to when your ancestors moved out of the country. For example, in Poland, you can get citizenship if your ancestors immigrated from Poland after 1951. Meanwhile, in Spain, your ancestors had to leave Spain between 1936 and 1955.
Part 2 of 3: Entering the Citizenship Application
Step 1. Collect documents
Make copies of important documents. Do not include originals in the application form. The requirements vary from country to country, but in general you will need:
- Copy of birth certificate
- Copy of valid passport
- Proof of residency, such as employment history, checking accounts, travel records, or official letters sent to your home address.
- Proof of employment, such as a statement signed by the employer. If you are retired or self-employed, present financial evidence to show that you are financially stable.
- If you are married to a citizen of that country, you will need proof of marriage such as a marriage certificate, child birth certificate, and family photos.
Step 2. Fill in the application form
This application is usually available on the website of the immigration department of your destination country. Read the application form carefully before you fill it out. This app does vary from country to country, but you need to state:
- Full name
- Current address and previous address
- Date of birth
- Citizenship now
- Education
- How long have you lived in the country
- Family details, including parents, spouse, and children.
Step 3. Pay the application fee
Before your form is processed, you may need to pay an application fee. These fees may vary. For example:
- Ireland: IDR 2.8 million
- Germany: IDR 4.07 million
- Sweden: IDR 2.2 million
- Spain: IDR 950 thousand to IDR 1.6 million
Step 4. Take the citizenship test
This test shows how well you know the customs, language, laws, history and culture of the destination country. This test is short, but is a requirement in many EU countries.
- For example in Germany, you will be asked 33 questions about German history, law and culture. You must answer at least 17 questions correctly.
- This test is usually given in the official language of the country.
Step 5. Attend examination sessions or interviews if requested
Some states require you to be interviewed by the police or a judge before you can obtain citizenship. After you have filled out the application form, you will receive a notification regarding the date and place of the examination or interview.
Step 6. Attend your citizenship award ceremony
Most countries have ceremonies for new citizens. At this event, new citizens will be sworn in. A naturalization certificate may also be issued at this time proving your new citizenship. When you acquire citizenship of a member state of the European Union, you also automatically become a citizen of the European Union.
- You will know if you get citizenship status 3 months after you submit the application form. However, some countries may need more time to process this.
- Citizenship granting ceremonies are held in big cities or government buildings.
- Usually you are required to attend this ceremony if you receive citizenship status.
Part 3 of 3: Fixing the App
Step 1. Do not go abroad for a long time
You have to live in the country you want continuously. This means that you have to live in the country for a certain period of time. If you leave the country for more than a few weeks of the year, your chances of gaining citizenship may be lost.
For example in France, if you are away from France for more than 6 months, you will no longer be eligible to become a French citizen
Step 2. Increase your annual income
Most countries will not grant you citizenship unless you have a high enough income. Some countries also ask for proof that you work there. If you are married and not working, you may need details of your spouse's occupation.
- In Denmark, for example, you have to prove that you can support yourself and your family without relying on government assistance, such as housing or welfare support.
- These requirements can be different again if you are still a student. You must graduate and get a permanent job before you can qualify.
Step 3. Purchase a property in your country of residence
Your chances are greater if you own a house or land in the country where you are submitting the citizenship application form. In some countries such as Greece, Latvia, Portugal and Cyprus, you can be entitled to citizenship only by owning a certain amount of property.
Tips
- Many countries, such as Cyprus and Austria, allow you to get citizenship there if you invest in the government sector. However, usually you have to invest with a value of around Rp. 15 billion.
- The citizenship law of each country is different. Do your research and read sources about the laws of the country you are going to.
- Dual citizenship with an EU member state will also give you EU citizenship
- You must give up your former citizenship if you become an Austrian, Bulgarian, Czech, Danish, Latvian or Lithuanian citizen.
