The purpose of this post is to help you gain EU citizenship in a legal way.
Dual citizen as an American
Many Americans often talk about the desire to be a dual citizen. We Americans do not always like some of the economic or political policies of Europe, but peace and love we secretly admire the more relaxed lifestyle and cultural richness. Third generations Americans rediscover and connect to the roots that the first generation left and the second generation swore off.
How citizenship is determined
American citizenship is defined by birth, whereas European Citizenship is often connected to nationality. You ca be born in Germany yet not granted citizenship.So how can An American get/claim a dual citizenship, now the USA allows this. You will simply follow the laws of each country you enter and can not claim protect as a USA citizen if you entered on another passport.
Ok so how do you get a drawer full of passports like Jason Bourne?
Rules of citizenship
Generally for most counties these are the rules, – a parent, not a grandparent must have citizenship. If you grandparents came from there your patents must get it first, than you have to apply.
How to get citizenship
You can get all birth certificate on line and sent to you; just check off the box that says you are applying fore dual citizen it costs about 20 dollars at any state online site. Once you have all the birth and marriage documents, create a family tree. Then translate all this by an official translator. Then fill out the paperwork you can get at the consulate. If you parents are citizens then you are all set, if not usually you have to legally live in the country for five years for at least six months out of the year. Last option is write the president with your story and sometimes if you give them enough paper you case will be accepted. Oh and if you speak the language even to some level this will help you case.
Myth: Marry a EU citizen and you will become a EU citizen
People have old fashion TV based ideas. Marriage does not change your citizenship. It will allow you to get a visa easier to stay in the country which in term will allow you get get become citizen after many years and lot of paper.
If you know some of the language, you will see how much easier it will be to be a citizen.
@ Rose, technically no. But in reality yes. If you were born in Sweden you can make a very strong case for this. When you gave up your citizenship you are not a citizen and do not have the rights of citizenship, so this connection to Sweden does not pass to your child. However, you can fill out paper and forms for your child and I think they have a very good chance of gaining citizenship rather than confirming citizenship. This is in my opinion as I am not an expert on Swedish law.
Im wondering if anyone can help here with some info. Im an australian citizen that wants to live in the EU….probably Ireland. My grandparents on my mothers side are from Hungry…my mother has not claimed EU citizenship as she was born in australia, but if she did would I then be able to apply for it through her??
thanks
I am a Canadian citizen. My great-grandparents where born in Sweden however, my grandparents and parents are all of Canadian descent. What are my chances of obtaining dual citizenship with the EU?
Great grandparents are a stretch, but not impossible, I do not know Swedish law. But the thing is, if you want citizenship you can get it. But you might have to go about it like everyone else, that is, your connection to Sweden might not give you any advantage over someone who has no connection. You might have to live and work in Sweden for five years. Which seems crazy, just to get citizenship, but not all that bad. I am an American from Boston and I am living in Krakow, Poland and it was the best thing in my life I ever did. Sure Citzenship is great, but better I learned a language, and the best I got married, experienced a world of different things. Citizenship and all else is nothing in comparison to meeting the person I was destined to be with.
Howdy!
I live in Arizona and am getting my paperwork together to marry the woman of my dreams in Italy. we have known each other for a few years and are choosing to tie the knot. I leave soon to move over.
Would the visa I am trying to qualify for before the marriage be a family visa? We are a little confused on all the big fancy words (I am only an electrician). I am hoping to be able to work over there sometime soon and not be a financial burden on her.
We are planning to get married before 90 days of my arrival.
Thank you for any information
oops, might be a little over 90 days…..
@Laura I think its too far removed your parents would have to be EU citizens. But if you lived in Slovakia, for 5 years you can get it. I think Slovakia is beautiful. I live in Poland, even though I am American. I would live in Slovakia, but it depends on your life situation. The USA is great but it is not the land of our parents or grandparents. I think most people work very hard and give up a lot of their fragment of eternity they have on this earth to have a normal life economic life in the USA.
If my great grandmother was born in Slovakia can I apply for dual EU citizenship?
@Jacqui, Slovakia basis their citizenship on their parents. Your parents would first have to become Slovak Citzens then you could apply. You could still apply but I do not know if the “confirmation” of citzenship would fly. I think you need to be nationalized. That take learning Slovak and five full years living in Slovakia.
No you say your father is an EU citizen? This is the thing… Did your father obtain Slovakian citizenship? If so you have IMO a very good chance, if you are under 18 and an ok chance if over 18. You could o do what I did for Polish citizenship. I put about 70 pages of documents together, and made my case for Polish citizenship, which I am waiting for review. The key idea to understand is the difference between citizenship confirmation and citizenship naturalization.
Hi Markbiernat. I’m South African. Both my grandparents on my fathers side were Slovakian and my dad has obtained EU Citizenship through his second marriage. Is there a possibility that I could apply for dual EU Citizenship through my grandparents?
I have a canadian citizenship, im originally from azerbaijan i want to learn how to obtain an eu passport. I am interested in starting a life in spain. Any suggestions, i have family in germany can that help me at all?
@Janata It depends how close that family is in Germany. Is it your parents or brother or sister? If so that can help. If not, then you would have to do it the old fashion way, that is get a legal job in the EU and apply for EU citizenship after 5 years. I like the idea of starting life over again. Everyone can have a second chance in life.
@Nicolas, I understand 100% where you are coming from. I am American and I love the USA. It is an amazing place. But I am living in Europe. I feel very good here and enjoy the lifestyle. To get a citizenship to an EU country I could only recommend legal ways. Many people marry for citizenship. That is once person gets a US citizenship, while the other gets a EU citizenship. A citizenship swap. But I can not recommend this because its not legal. Further, it takes a lot of time and patience. You do not get a citizenship with marriage, you get a basic visa. However, after years of working in the country you can get a long term visa and then citizenship. I would say this takes about 5 years generally. I think if you can find a company to sponsor you, such as a language school or even go to school for 5 years or so I think from there you can apply, especially if you have a blood connection to the country. For example. All 4 of my grandparents came from Poland (two of Ukrainian blood). Technically my parents were citizens even though they were born in the USA as their parents were citizens. So I have a connection to Poland. I still have family in Poland. So when I applied for citizenship, I not only had legal work but also a strong connection to the country. I also did some positive things for the country in a small way (in my opinion). So every little thing adds to a legal case for citizenship. I will also start a company I think in Poland. So every little thing helps. I believe marriage is for love not for citizenship. I think before you take the plunge for citizenship which could get you in trouble, even though many people do it, I would explore legal ways to do it. And I would start with, what country I have the strongest connection to; as Europe is bases citizenship often on blood. Even if this does not get you a citizenship its the first step towards building a case when you write the ‘office of the president’ in the country you want to live.
Since I moved to Europe in 1997, I have been trying to legally stay but once again, I find myself back in the u.s. trying to get into school and find work in Europe again. After so much time living in Europe, I don’t identify with the american mentality anymore. I feel so restricted here and I long to return to the land of my forefathers, friends and the place I love. I will do anything to obtain European citizenship… marriage or even swap my american citizenship for European citizenship. I want to do it legally but I am becoming very frustrated, restless and need some good advice on how to achieve my goal. I have lived in Austria, Germany, Romania and Spain and I speak German and a little Romanian and Spanish. Thanks.
@Darrin If you have UK grandparents you can life in the UK for 5 years automatically. If you can support yourself and do this without UK government money then you can apply for a green card after 6 years of living in UK total you can get citizenship or 3 years if you are married to a UK citizen.
i live in s.a
my grand father and father were born in the u.k,both have passed away and now i would like to obtain a u.k permit for residence.
how would i be able to do this?
many thanks
My grandmother was born in 1919 and grew up in Canada until she married my grandfather and moved to the U.S. Because Canada was part of the British Commonwealth at the time and all subjects were eligible for British citizenship or were considered British Citizens (I think that’s the case) its been suggested that perhaps I could parlay this into British and thus into EU citizenship. Is that as ridiculous as it sounds when read aloud?
Kesavan, I do not think so. I think if you are married then you can get a visa, but a partner, I think you can not. My friend here in Poland, she dated a guy for 3 years and I asked her how she would get a visa, she said visa? no problem I will meet a citzenship because my boyfriend is Polish. Hmm 5 years latter she has neither. My point is partners do not quality under the law, unless I am mistaken. Bests.
Hi
I am a South African Male who would like to know if I am am allowed to get EU citizenship if my partner is a EU citizen.
He was born and brought up in Scotland but moved to South Africa yeras ago.
He currently lives and work in South Africa. I would appreciate the help.
By the way we are involved for 5 years now.
Please help.
KC
Hello All,
Quick question. My wife and I are US Citizens,Born and raised here.I want to move to the Uk. I have traced my roots back to my Great Grandfather on my mothers side and he was born in Greece. He then in his 30’s moved to the US and got his Certificate of Naturalization,Which i do have the Original copy.What can I do? Can his birth in Greece be of any help? And also both my parents are US citz.
@ Dave, Greece goes back to grandparents so one of your parents would have to become a citizen, then you could get it. You could live in Greece and with time write the president of Greece and get it that way. But if you want to move to the UK get a sponsor from a UK firm. My brother lived in London for 20 years this way.
As in What kind of firm? is there a place to look that does sponsorships?i dont even know where to start
Dave, This is the big question. See So many Americans want to live in the EU along with Africans, South Americans, Asians, they write me everyday. Why? Because Europe is a very cool place to live. I am very lucky my family is from Poland even though I am American. I live in Europe. I think if you are American, and you have any level of skills, you can get a company to sponsor you in Europe. I think you have to determine your skills and what companies will hire you and simply apply. Besides that I do not know. If you want to look more into the Greek connection, you could do this but you would have to move to Greece and teach English or something I think.
I am a US citizen and I am a registered partner with a swedish woman. I live in sweden with her and have no residence permit. I cant go back to the states, I have an ex whom i have a restraining order on who keeps violating it. She tried to kill me actually and went to jail etc. I dont want to go back to the states I am fearful of my ex, and the laws dont seem to do anything about it. Is there a way to apply for a permit here in sweden?
Bethie, I do not know for sure but I think political asylum only could get you a visa, not anything like domestic asylum. You could always live anonymously in the USA, its a big country and many people do. But I am very sorry about your situation, I know it must be stressful. However, if you want to live in Europe the best way is get a word visa, then apply for a long terms visa after you have been working for a few years, or be married and then apply for a visa, but marriage is for love of course not visas. After you get a long term visa you can apply after x amount of years for a Citizenship in the EU.
Question:
What if I am a lesbian and my lover lives in the UK but she is of Danish citizenship?
Would the same friendship marriage rules apply in the UK for me to marry her? And will that grant me EU citizenship to live and work in the EU?
Thank you,
L
Leedna, I do not know. I think the answer is no. Same friendship partnerships are not exactly the same as marriage under the law. Many counties in western Europe have some recognition of this, the most liberal being Holland of course. But I think for citizenship it is not possible for same friendship couples to get citizenship. I think the rational behind many counties citizenship laws are, marriage implies children and they do not want to break up families. However, real the partnership between people from the same friendship is, most counties do not see this as a family. I think if you want to live in Europe you should live here. You simply have to get a work visa. Get a company to sponsor you. Why are you in the USA and your partner is in Europe? I guess that is my first question. Second what have you done to find work in Europe? If you can find work you can live in the EU and that could be a path to citizenship after many years. My family was Polish, I am married in Poland, I have lived and worked in Poland for many years and I have done some things to promote the Polish language. But still no citizenship yet. I think I will get it, but I have to be patient. For people who are patient and relaxed about things in life, often they get what they want, including and EU citizenship.
I was born in Reid im Innkreis, Austria in 1948. My parents Jakob and Maria Keller moved to the US in 1955 and in 1962 became citizens of the US. I was 13-14 years old and automatecally became a citizen. Now, I would love to have dual citizenship, which was not possible years ago. Do I have a chance now? Can you help me with this process?
I would appreciate any help that you could give me.
Thanks,
Elisabeth
Hi Elisabeth, I think you have a very good chance of being an Austrian citizen. I think it will require you to contact the Austrian consulate and fill out an application. But I think that basically you can do it in no time at all. It is called repatriation. That is you were a citizen and you are now can become one again, and this does not affect your US citizenship.
All four of my great-grandparents on my mother’s side came to the U.S. from Poland in around 1910. Does anyone know if I could be eligible for Polish citizenship? and what are the first steps to do this?
Piper, You can not get citizen because there was no Poland in that time. However, if you can prove you are of Polish blood according to the Polish constitution you get an automatic green card, very easy to get because it is Polish law. But unless your parents are citizens you can not get confirmed Polish citizens. Get the green card and in a few years you can be a dual https://claritaslux.com/blog/dual-citizen/ US and Polish citizen. But you have to be willing to do paperwork etc. You just can not pick it up.ut in my opinion its worth it. I hope this helps. Bests, Mark
I am a flight instructor in college in the U.S. I have no family with EU citizenship but I plan on working for an airline within the EU in the future.
All the airlines within the EU require EU citizenship. How am I to get it if I have no family connections?
If I was to apply and work at a restaurant or something while waiting for citizenship would that work?
I know it would be tough for me but worth it, as long as I know I will not be wasting my time over there and possibly getting denied.
What should I do!?
@ Marshall, well I am not an expert so there may be an easier way, especially if you have money and can establish a business, some countries have funny laws like this. But basically you have to live in an EU country for 5 years. I am doing that. You can do lots of things, including teaching English or at a university, you have a very valuable skill. Also companies might sponsor you. But basically most countries say if you live in a country legally with a visa for 5 years, you can apply to be citizen. I hope to get my EU citizenship in the Spring. But my family is from Poland I am married in Poland etc. But that makes no difference really. 5 Years is what most countries require. The embassy websites will detail all this is you have an EU country in mind. The only real problem is not getting citizenship after 5 years, that is pretty good, its getting a visa to live in the EU, before that time.
which EEA/EU country is the easiest and fastest in issuing citizenship?
I’m gathering that getting sponsored might be a good way to go if I’m to be so lucky.
I’ll probably plan to go that route, as 5 years out of my specialty means losing currency and knowledge that I’d need for a job. Even scarier, would be to spend 5 years and not get the citizenship, not that those 5 years wouldn’t be great.
Thanks for the reply mark, much appreciated getting some direct answers from someone who’s doing it!
my mom is Sri-Lankan and she got married with a cypriot. Now she holds a cypriot passport. I came to cyprus as student three and half years before and still studying here. Sametime im living with my mom and her husband. Im 27yrs old now and single. What are my possibilities to get an EU citizenship or to take a permenant residence in cyprus based on the fact that my mom is a EU citizen now.
Stephanos, If you were 15 years old it would be easy. But at 27 you have to apply. If your family member is a EU citizen then you have a better chance, but I think the first thing you have to do is get a legal visa to live there. Then you can apply for citizenship and after 5 years you will be a citizen. But I do not know the exact laws of that country. If you are married to a citizen its usually 3 years, just living as a resident 5 years. Child under 18 no problem.
Kevin, The best way to go to Ukraine is via a bus that cost maybe 65 pln that leaves from the bus station every night, maybe 8 pm. But there is also a train that does to the boarder and you can walk over. I have done this. Also you can hitch hike. I have done all three.
You can get an EU citizenship and work in the EU. It just takes patience. Let me know how you are doing and you can write me.
So far so good, been here in krakow for little over 2 months and I must say great place, nice and inface it is cozy,
just little things seem different there
lol i have to endure a house with a broken cordial water heater,electricty was turned off for a few days, I help pay for the bills here to get turned on.
finding work here is very hard to do, i applied for jobs at different schools and even and IT company, alot of language places want a tefl cert. and still waiting for my birth cert is taking a long time to get here.
time seem to running out for me. i will have to leave after 90 days here
could u reccomend a way to ukraine from krakow and back on a budget?
my monies here are running very low
So are you saying your grandparents came from Estonia? You might be able to get an Estonian greencard which could lead to a EU passport. But you must do the research on Estonian law with their embassy. But I think if you want an EU citizenship you need to live and work in the EU legally for a time.
Hey, my dad’s side of the family originates from the England, but moved over to the US way back in the 1600-1700’s. And on my mother’s side I believe either her mother or father or one of their ancestors came from Estonia. Do you know if I could use either or both of these to gain EU citizenship? Any help appreciated, thanks.
Hi,
I am currently living in the UK and my visa is about to run out. I am Australian, with a Danish Grandmother. Is it possible to get a Danish passport and continue to live in the UK. My father doesn’t have a Danish passport though.
What are my chances or options? My great grandparents were Enlgish and German and emmigrated to australia in the early 1900’s.
thanks
My father is Danish but also a US Citizen. How would my son go about getting Danish citizenship or the right to work in the EU? Would I have to apply first?
Would it count toward getting Italian citizenship if my grandparents were born in Italy?
If your grandparents are Italian, yes I think Italy would really try to help you out. However, you can not just be confirmed a citizen, rather you have to go through a process.
Linda Christensen, The process is easy for you. You get confirmed a Danish citizen. That means you technically already are Danish, although you have to look at the consult website to check this. You just have to fill out the paperwork. The then your son can apply for citizenship. I am not an expert on Danish citizenship but generally in the Eu it works something like that. There is a difference between confirmation of citizenship and application for citizenship.
Chuddy, it would be certainly easy to get a student visa of some sort. And if you want a UK citizenship I think it would not be hard. But you have to live in the UK for 5 years. It would not be based on your grandparents as I think this is too far, but it would be a normal naturalization process. The reason I think you can not get granted citizenship right away is usually your parent has to obtain citizenship first and you have to be under 18 for citizenship to be transferred
Hi i am a New Zealand citizen and have a grandmother who was born in england and is a EU citizen. I would like to become an dual EU citizen so that it is easier for me to do work in europe as part of my Hospitality and Tourism studies. How would I go abut this?
hello, my grandmother was born in austria and gave up her citizenship at age 17 when she married a us citizen. i also have a step-grandfather who is from the uk. how would i go about getting eu citizenship for myself?
thanks!
@Ana at this point you have to live in the EU for 5 years to get EU citizen then you can apply. Sorry but I think for citizenship your connections are too far removed at this point.