Naturalisation

Anyone who becomes a naturalised citizen of an EU country is automatically an EU citizen. The conditions and the application process for naturalisation are different for each country.

You can usually become a naturalised citizen of an EU country if you have lived and worked there for a minimum number of years. Alternatively, you can become a naturalised citizen by marriage to an EU citizen, or by descent, meaning you can become a citizen if a parent or grandparent was a citizen.

Some EU countries require that you give up your existing citizenship in order to gain citizenship in that country. Check the individual country for more details.

Long-term residence

Information on long-term residence rights for non-EU citizens who cannot apply for naturalisation can be found on the EU immigration portal.