In this article, we will take a look at the 5 easiest countries in Europe to get citizenship. If you want to see more companies in this selection, go to the 10 Easiest Countries in Europe to Get Citizenship.
5. Belgium
Average Score: 3.8
Almost 220,000 expats reside in Belgium, according to Belga news agency. The foreign community in Brussels contributes up to 20% of the GDP of the Brussels-Capital Area. Professionals are in great demand in a number of sectors in Belgium, including real estate, engineering, public health, education, social services, and information technology. Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (NYSE:BUD), headquartered in Leuven, Belgium, is a multinational drink and brewing company. The company has 630 beer brands in 150 countries.
Belgium’s immigration policy is fairly easy. An applicant must consistently reside and work in Belgium for at least five years in order to become a citizen. In order to be eligible to apply for Belgian citizenship, an applicant has to reside in the country for a minimum of five years, demonstrate economic participation with taxes and social security contributions, and be able to speak at least one of the country’s national languages such as Dutch, German, or French.
4. Ireland
Average Score: 3.8
3,500 applicants from 130 nations became Irish citizens in 2022. In addition to the technology sector, Ireland’s healthcare and retail sectors also draw large numbers of skilled foreign workers.
Irish residency can be obtained quickly, typically in around two months, and citizenship can be obtained after five years if all requirements are completed. An applicant does not need to fulfill any language requirements, and the country especially welcomes individuals who can provide proof of their Irish ancestry. A minimum of one million Euros must be invested for at least three years in order to qualify for citizenship by investment, and the candidate must demonstrate a net worth of two million Euros.
More than a thousand prosperous international firms are based in Ireland. AerCap Holdings, N.V. (NYSE:AER), headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, is an aircraft leasing company. The company employs more than 390 people globally. As of February 2023, it has a market cap of $15.2 billion. In addition to AerCap Holdings, N.V. (NYSE:AER), Accenture plc (NYSE:ACN), Aptiv PLC (NYSE:APTV), and Ryanair Holding plc (NASDAQ:RYAAY) are some of the most valuable Irish companies in the world.
3. Sweden
Average Score: 5
Sweden issues a residence permit to anyone desiring to live there longer than three months for the purpose of working, studying, or seeking family reunion. With no language restrictions and only a 5-year residency requirement, Sweden has some of the most lenient citizenship laws in all of Europe. The residency time is further reduced to three years if the applicant has been married to or living with a Swedish spouse for at least two years. However, only the time spent in Sweden is taken into account for residency and foreign visits comprising of more than six weeks within a year can delay the process. It is also important to note that while the time required for eligibility is fairly short, the application for citizenship can take anywhere from a few weeks to years.
From an economic perspective, Sweden is one of the most developed countries in Europe. It draws visitors from all over the world who come to work or start businesses in the country. The Swedish investor visa has become more appealing, as the country’s economy is recovering after the Covid-19 pandemic. It requires 100,000 Euros and the applicant must relocate their business to Sweden or establish one there. The industries that have historically drawn the most foreign investment in Sweden are telecommunications, information technology, healthcare, energy, and public transportation. Stockholm is the second-most active tech center worldwide, after Silicon Valley. The most well-known music streaming app Spotify Technology S.A. (NYSE:SPOT), with a revenue of $12.356 billion, is a Swedish company.
2. Malta
Average Score: 5.6
With a fast-track program that grants citizenship within a year in exchange for an investment of at least 750,000 Euros in government programs, government bonds, or a donation to an authorized organization, Malta offers the fastest citizenship application process. In contrast, its other citizenship by investment program necessitates a real estate investment of at least 700,000 Euros and grants citizenship in three years.
Maltese businesses frequently require qualified personnel, including financial, pharmaceutical, medical, information technology, and tourism specialists. Around 22% of all employment in 2018 was made up of foreign workers, up from just over 3% in 2005. Some of the popular companies operating in the country are Bank of Valetta (MTSE:BOV) and BMIT Technologies (MTSE:BMIT).
1. Portugal
Average Score: 8.5
Portugal came in first place on our list of the easiest European countries to become a citizen in and has one of the most rapidly expanding citizenship laws because to its straightforward and accessible citizenship criteria. The country’s resident permits can be obtained by study, job, or marriage to a Portuguese national.
Those with basic Portuguese language skills and a minimum of five years of residence authorization are permitted to become citizens of this country. However, an applicant only needs to hold the residence permit and staying in the country for most of this period is not mandatory.
Portugal has developed as an ideal market for real estate investors in recent years. The Golden Visa program is another popular stream which allows non-EU citizens to obtain a 5-year residence permit by making a significant capital investment in the country. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Portugal Property, with over 4000 properties for sale on its website, is the country’s leading and most experienced real estate company.
Disclosure: None. You can also take a look at 10 Hot Healthcare Stocks To Buy Now and 13 Most Profitable Food Stocks.
