How to get an EU citizenship as an American
How to get an EU citizenship as an American If you want to travel, work, or study in Europe as an American, getting an EU passport could be the solution. There are a few paths to applying for European citizenship. We’re here to help you navigate this complex process! We’ll take a look at how to become an EU citizen, including the best citizenship options and everything you need to know about applying for an EU passport. We’ll also take a look at how Wise can help you spend money in 150+ countries, all at the mid-market exchange rate. wise-accountWhat is a European citizen? An EU citizen is someone who lives or works in a country that’s part of the European Union, such as Austria, Italy, Greece, France, or Spain. EU citizens can enjoy freedom of movement in any EU member state. You can also live or work in any EU country with an EU passport. It’s important to note that not all European countries are part of the EU, such as the UK or Iceland. These countries may have their own requirements for citizenship.Why would Americans want to be EU citizens? As an EU citizen, you’re given the freedom to travel, live, work, or study in any EU country – and you’ll access visa-free travel to over 153 countries. This is appealing to avid travelers or those who want to stay abroad long-term, as you can visit or live in multiple European locations without worrying about visa applications. Some American citizens get EU citizenship to retire in Europe or easily travel between homes in the US and Europe. Many European countries also offer free healthcare systems, which you can access as a citizen of the EU.¹Can you get EU citizenship? It’s possible to become an EU citizen, even if you’re not from the EU. In many countries, you can also hold onto your American passport for dual citizenship. There are many possible routes to getting your EU citizenship. You may be able to get citizenship if your parents — or parent — were born in an EU country or if you’ve been living as a legal resident in Europe for several years. Every EU country will have different processes for non-EU citizens applying for their second passport. However, once you have citizenship in an EU country, you can enjoy freedom of movement in all member states.International money at the tip of your fingers: get the Wise card Get fee free international ATM withdrawals, up to 100 USD/month, with the Wise card. Keep in mind that ATM operators may charge their own fees. Open a Wise Account online or in the Wise app, to hold and exchange 40+ currencies, with the mid-market rate and low fees*. Get cash conveniently around the world, with some fee free withdrawals every month, and low fees of 1.5 USD + 2% after that*. That can work out cheaper than using your bank card for overseas withdrawals.Check out these other handy Wise personal account features: Hold and manage money in 40+ currencies from your phone Send and receive money internationally to 80+ countries with low fees Opt in to receive annual percentage yield (APY) on your USD balance with Wise’s interest feature (subject to change, certain limitations apply — see Program Agreement for more information) Spend in 150+ countries with the Wise card, with transparent and competitive fees Conveniently get instant updates and track transactions on the go with the Wise mobile app Robust security measures and encryption to protect your funds and personal information. How can you get EU citizenship as an American? There are a few ways to get EU citizenship as an American. Let’s explore some of the common options for Americans to become European citizens.Citizenship by descent You can access citizenship by descent (CBD) if you can prove that your ancestors were born in an EU country. This is typically a parent, but you may also need to prove that your grandparents or great-grandparents were born in that country, too. You’ll need to fill out paperwork and provide supporting documents to prove your bloodline. Many EU countries offer citizenship by descent, including Ireland and Greece.Naturalization through residency You can also access your second passport through naturalization. This is when you live and work in an EU country to work toward your citizenship. Typically, Americans apply for visas to become legal residents in an EU country, eventually getting a passport from that country. Every EU country is different, so you’ll need to double-check the requirements and time frame for your naturalization. However, most countries require you to work or live in an EU country for at least 5 years to be eligible.³Citizenship by investment Many countries offer EU residency by investment (RBI) programs. Also known as golden visas, these programs let anyone invest in a country’s economy in exchange for naturalization. It typically takes around 5 years to gain your EU passport by investment. The amount you’ll need to invest – and how long it takes to get a passport – differs depending on the country. In Greece, for example, you’ll need to invest at least 250,000 EUR, but you’ll need to live there for at least 7 years before you can access citizenship.³Citizenship by marriage You can apply for citizenship by marriage by legally marrying someone from an EU country. You’ll also need to fulfill any citizenship requirements for that country, such as living and working there for a certain amount of time. Spain and France let those married to a national apply for EU citizenship – but not all countries allow EU citizenship by marriage.²What’s the best European citizenship to have? Portugal’s Golden Visa Program® is a popular choice for foreign citizens, as you can get residency within 6 months of investing 280,000 EUR in Portuguese real estate. Malta is also a common option, with multiple programs to help new citizens get their EU passports. Many foreigners choose to become Swedish citizens. You can apply for citizenship after being
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