How to Get EU Citizenship as an American: The Ultimate Guide
November 14, 2024
This article discusses how to get EU citizenship as an American, the benefits of an EU passport for a US citizen and why it is necessary to get your European citizenship today.
Investors and entrepreneurs worldwide have always valued European Union countries for their excellent living standards, business climate and investment opportunities.
European countries are also some of the safest and happiest places in the world thanks to their social welfare systems, affordable healthcare and community values.
The US also attracts millions of investors, entrepreneurs, and digital nomads annually. However, European Union citizenship offers one thing that US citizenship doesn’t – the right to live, work and study legally in 27 member countries.
Tired of living in the US? Want to become an EU citizen and add a European passport to your passport portfolio?
Set up a call with us today to know all your options.
How to Get EU Citizenship as an American
Citizenship-based taxation and has made many Americans want to renounce US citizenship.
Maybe tax isn’t the only issue, and you want a Plan B so that the US government can’t hinder your movement as it did during the pandemic
Or maybe, you’re just a Nomad Capitalist who wants to diversify their passport portfolio because you know it’s the right thing to do for your freedom and peace of mind.
No matter the reason, obtaining European citizenship, especially EU citizenship, can improve your life in many ways. No more alarming crime statistics, inferior healthcare, dealing with the IRS (if you renounce) or paying hefty taxes.
Got your eyes on EU passports but don’t know where to start or which EU country to choose? Hop on a call with us to know the best EU citizenship for you and go where you’re treated best.
Benefits of EU Citizenship as an American
Right to Live, Work, and Study in the EU
The best part about getting an EU passport is that you don’t even need to live in the country where you acquired citizenship. You can simply go to any EU country of your choice, register yourself, and live, study or work there without any restrictions.
Let’s say you obtained Bulgarian citizenship. You can go to Italy and start living there instead – no questions asked. Your US passport doesn’t let you do that.
Immense Travel Freedom
The US passport is by no means a shabby one and offers immense travel freedom. However, what it can’t do is let you live in a European country past the standard ninety days allowed.
With a US passport, you can only roam these beautiful European countries as a tourist. However, an EU passport lets you truly immerse yourself in the European experience for as long as you want.
Access To World’s Largest Single Market Area
The European Union is the world’s largest single market area. EU citizens, especially investors and entrepreneurs, have access to a favourable business climate, stable political and economic landscape, vast consumer market, several trade agreements, and more.
For a non-EU national, EU citizenship can open many doors to business and investment opportunities.
Say Goodbye to Hefty Taxes
The US levies citizenship-based taxation, meaning no matter where you live, you need to report your income and possibly pay taxes on it to the IRS. There are over 800 IRS forms – making the US tax filing system as complicated as it can be.
People often make the mistake of thinking Europe has high taxes, which isn’t exactly accurate.
Yes, some European countries do have high taxes but depending on where you live in the EU, you can eliminate or drastically reduce your tax bill (to single digits).
How to Get EU Citizenship as an American
Americans can get EU citizenship through the same channels as anyone else:
- EU Citizenship by investment
- EU Citizenship by naturalisation
- EU Citizenship by ancestry
- EU Citizenship by marriage
- EU Citizenship by exception
Let’s discuss all of these options below.
Obtaining EU Citizenship by Investment as an American
Although time is running out for citizenship by investment (CBI) programs in the EU due to ever-stricter regulations, there are still some open to applicants – if you hurry.
Malta used to have one of the most prestigious EU citizenship-by-investment programs. However, this year it was largely replaced by the naturalisation program (MEIN).
However, once you’re in, you can expect excellent living standards, affordable cost of living, a favourable tax regime and brilliant weather.
If you can’t spare half a million dollars for a second citizenship, you can look into several EU residency by investment (RBI) programs. For example, Greece, Italy and Cyprus all have such programs, which are often referred to as golden visas.
If you opt for RBI, you’ll need to invest in the country’s economy by starting a company, buying real estate or investing in the country through some other method. You’ll also need to wait a few years before getting your passport.
The investment routes and the timeline to get a passport depend solely on the country you’re aiming for and its regulations.
Obtaining EU Citizenship by Naturalisation as an American
Don’t want to invest in an EU country to get your second passport?
Don’t worry, you can always spend some years there, become a legal resident, comply with all the laws and work toward obtaining citizenship.
In as quickly as five years for most programs, you can apply to become an EU citizen and have the immense travel freedom (travel visa-free to 175 countries) that comes with a Portuguese passport , currently ranked third in the world.
You can obtain legal residence in Portugal through D2 and D7 visas.
Each EU country has its own naturalisation timeline. For example, Poland grants permanent residency after five years and citizenship after another three years. In contrast, in Austria , you may need to spend 10 to 30 years to obtain citizenship.
Obtaining EU Citizenship by Descent as an American
Citizenship by investment (CBI) is the fastest way to get a second citizenship. In contrast, citizenship by descent (CBD) is the cheapest but also one of the slowest.
If you can prove your bloodline to a particular EU country that offers citizenship by descent, you can get your second passport at almost no cost. Talk about a sweet deal.
CBD may be the cheapest route, but it certainly isn’t the most straightforward. There is tons of paperwork to deal with, and you must demonstrate documents that go back multiple generations.
We understand the struggle, and that’s why we make the whole process a breeze for you through our Citizenship-by-Descent plan. Through this plan, we help you reconnect with your roots and get a shiny new EU passport.
Some of the most common EU countries that offer CBD are as follows:
All these countries allow EU dual citizenship, so you don’t need to worry about renouncing your US citizenship (if you don’t want to) to get your second passport.
Obtaining EU Citizenship by Marriage as an American
Citizenship by marriage is another common way to obtain citizenship. It might raise a few eyebrows, but it is absolutely legal, and many people have acquired a second passport through this route.
One misconception about citizenship by marriage is that you’ll get your second citizenship instantly. That’s not the case.
You will still need to live in the country for some years and most possibly pass language or history tests to prove ties to a country.
Some EU countries that offer fast-track naturalisation to people married to their nationals include:
- Spain
- Portugal
- Italy
- France
Obtaining EU Citizenship by Exception as an American
Citizenship by exception (CBE) is the rarest method for anyone to get a second passport.
To acquire second citizenship through CBE, you must make a significant contribution or perform an exceptional activity in favour of the country’s economy, per its legislation.
Just last year, American singer Dua Lipa was granted citizenship of Albania for promoting the country through her music and general stardom. Usually, athletes and celebrities get citizenship by exception.
How to Get EU Citizenship as an American: FAQs
An EU citizen is a person who holds citizenship in one of the 27 member countries of the European Union. EU citizenship is automatically granted to nationals of any EU member state. To become an EU citizen, a person must first acquire citizenship in an EU country, typically through birth, descent, naturalisation or marriage.
To obtain a European passport, you must first become a citizen of a European country. There are various routes to an EU passport. For example, many European countries offer citizenship by descent, allowing individuals with a parent, grandparent, or sometimes even a great- grandparent who was a citizen of that country to apply for citizenship.
Most European countries do not offer unconditional jus soli citizenship, meaning citizenship is not automatically granted to everyone born on their soil unless specific conditions are met. Certain European countries offer conditional birth citizenship.
For example, Ireland allows children born on its soil to become citizens if at least one parent is an Irish citizen or a legal resident who meets specific residency requirements.
Portugal is often regarded as one of the easier EU countries due to its golden visa program and relatively short residency requirement of five years for naturalisation, without the need to reside full-time.
Your ancestry could make it easier to obtain citizenship in an EU country. Countries like Italy, Ireland, and Poland offer citizenship by descent programs, where individuals with documented ancestry can apply for citizenship relatively easily.
Eligibility typically depends on factors such as your ancestry, current residency status in an EU country, marriage to an EU citizen or investment in an EU country. Residency requirements vary but typically range from five to ten years. Some countries may have shorter or longer requirements based on specific conditions or agreements.
CBI allows high-net-worth individuals to obtain citizenship and a passport through significant financial contributions to the country. Some programs may require a period of residency or visits to the country, while others may grant citizenship more directly following the investment and due diligence process.
Get Your EU Passport Now
EU golden visa and CBI programs are closing at record rates. The Portugal Golden Visa Program, one of the most renowned of its kind, was changed dramatically in 2023.
The Cyprus CBI program, another of the most coveted CBI programs granting EU citizenship, was suspended in 2020.
With popular programs in the EU changing and closing fast, your window to get your EU second passport is shrinking by the minute.
This time next year, you could either be a European citizen or just a regular American reading about another excellent EU program getting shut down. The choice is yours. We suggest you hop on a call with us and plan your European future now.
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