Many people aspire to Western countries, believing that there they can get much more comfortable conditions for their lives. But in order to take advantage of the benefits that European states can give, one should acquire citizenship of one or another power in the region. In which country in Europe can one obtain citizenship, and what is the easiest way to do it?
Ways to obtain official citizenship in Europe
Before describing specific examples, one should briefly describe what citizenship is, what are the main ways to obtain it in the EU countries.
The status of a citizen of the state can be obtained by a person who is connected with him by certain legal relations. Together with citizenship, a person receives a set of rights and obligations prescribed in the Constitution of this state. It guarantees its citizen the protection of rights, allows legally and without restrictions to stay on its territory, live, work, acquire property, etc.
Becoming a citizen, a person establishes a long-term stable relationship with the state. Citizenship is one of the most important elements of everyone's social life.
Becoming a citizen of a European country, a person has the opportunity to receive the privileges that it can give: finding a well-paid job, receiving social protection of high quality standards, the right to go to power or do business.
How can I get a European passport?
- By birthright.
If the fact of the birth of a person in the territory of a European country (the European Union) is proved, then on this basis one can take citizenship.
- If the person has relatives living in that country.
They must be citizens of that state.
- In case of marriage with a citizen of the respective state.
If people are united by marriage, they become one family, that is, equal in rights.
- If a person has lived for several years in the country.
In the event that all its documents comply with legal requirements.
- The state can grant citizenship for certain merit or investment.
You can also take advantage of special programs for immigrants: if a person is a master of his craft, highly qualified in a certain field of work, then in many European countries they can be accepted with open arms as a valuable carrier of intellectual property.
Speaking about the easiest ways to obtain citizenship, the easiest way to get documents is:
- For money (easier).
In this case, a person receives citizenship if he invests significant financial resources in the country. Each state of the European Union has its own requirements for the amount of financial injection.
- Traditionally, through naturalization.
This is a rather long process, which is characterized by obtaining a residence permit (residence permit), living in the country for 5-7 years, obtaining permanent residence (permanent residence) and after that - citizenship itself.
What are the privileges of citizenship in the EU countries?
For what reasons do people from many countries wish to obtain citizenship in European powers? The following privileges can be distinguished that a citizen of these countries receives:
- live peacefully in economically developed and stable states;
- get a professional education that is considered prestigious and in demand all over the world;
- have various guarantees that will ensure a decent standard of living (high cash payments and other social obligations);
- take advantage of high-quality financial services (profitable accounts, various low-interest loans, etc.);
- medical care here is considered one of the best in the world. Having a passport of a member state of the European Union, one can receive professional medical care throughout the territory of the association;
- to move freely among the countries that are part of the Schengen Agreement, and other participants. And in relation to more than a hundred countries of the world, citizens of European states can travel without visas.
Citizenship and residence permit for cash injections
There are countries in Europe where you can immediately buy citizenship for money or acquire a residence permit, with the help of which you can obtain citizenship through naturalization.
In which country is it easier to acquire official documents and the desired citizenship status, and can you do it right away?
- Malta.
For the official documents of this small island nation, it will be necessary to donate funds or invest them in a specific project. In the first case, the amount is $500,000; in the second, $650,000.
- Cyprus.
Here, citizenship will cost more, for it you will have to invest 3-5 million euros in the country.
It should be remembered that in most cases an emigrant can forget about this money, it will not be possible to return it, and one can not expect to receive interest income from investments either.
In most cases, European countries offer a residence permit for financial investments with subsequent naturalization. In fact, a residence permit gives an emigrant practically the same rights as the status of a citizen (with the exception of the right to go to power and some other restrictions). In the future, if you do not commit any offenses, you can count on an easier acquisition of citizenship itself.
Below we will consider those countries in which it is cheapest to obtain a residence permit, because in such powers as Austria or France the price for it reaches 10 million euros.
In some EU states, it is easier to get a residence permit for the purchase of real estate:
- Latvia.
Here it will be easiest for an emigrant from Russia, also because the Russian language is understood everywhere. It will be necessary to buy a property for personal use for 250,000 euros. In this case, the papers for a residence permit will be received at the time of submission of documents establishing the right of ownership.
These documents will need to be renewed several times. The citizenship of this Baltic state can be taken after 10 years.
- Spain.
Here, a temporary residence permit can be obtained for the purchase of personal housing in the amount of 160,000 euros, the citizenship itself can actually be acquired after 15 years.
Of the minuses - you need to show an account statement that there is a sufficient amount of money for life. Also, for all your property (including Russian) you will have to pay taxes.
- Portugal.
For a Portuguese residence permit, you need a living space in the amount of 500,000 euros. Citizenship can be obtained in just 6 years.
- Bulgaria.
The price for a residence permit in Bulgaria is 300,000 euros. This is the minimum amount for which you need to buy a property and get a residence document. The advantage is that with this money you can buy several objects.
It is also realistic to start a business in this country, a company that will employ from 10 people (Bulgarians), for this you can also purchase a residence permit. There are programs for obtaining documents for wealthy pensioners.
- Greece.
In this ancient and incredibly beautiful country, you can buy real estate for a residence permit for 250,000 euros. You also need to provide an extract from your account, which should contain the same amount, proving the viability of the emigrant.
- Hungary.
In this country, you cannot get a residence permit for real estate, but you can buy government bonds for 250,000 euros. This money can actually be returned after 5 years, without interest.
Having proved that an emigrant has a place and something to live on, he can easily acquire documents.
These are the easiest ways to legally obtain citizenship or a residence permit for him in European countries. The other way, more traditional, means a lot of paperwork, obtaining visas, waiting for a positive decision, approval of a residence permit, and so on.
In any case, moving to the EU countries, obtaining official documents is associated with high costs. The more developed and wealthy the country, the more complicated the procedure for obtaining documents for emigrants.
At the same time, everyone has the opportunity to do this, because there are many examples of successful citizenship in European powers. And since there are such people, it means that it is real to achieve success in this, just by making an effort!
Attention! Due to recent changes in legislation, the legal information in this article may be out of date!
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