This Is How Long It Takes to Become a EU Citizen By Marriage

The easiest way to obtain a passport of a member state of the European Union is through marriage.

SchengenVisaInfo.com explains that the procedure and time required to acquire citizenship or residency rights in EU member countries by marriage depends on the citizenship and immigration laws of the respective country. These laws vary across the EU.

There are some general guidelines that apply to the majority of countries in the EU, including:

The spouse who is not a citizen of the EU can apply for citizenship based on their marriage.

After the non-EU partner has been granted residency in the EU nation where their spouse is a citizen, they should then apply for residency in that country.

After a certain period of residence in an EU country, the spouse from outside the EU will be able to apply for citizenship.

In most EU countries the rule is that non-EU nationals must cohabitate for three years with their EU partner. However, in other countries this can be shortened or extended depending on where non-EU nationals are moving.

Spain offers the fastest route to citizenship through marriage

Non-EU citizens married to Spanish nationals can acquire citizenship after just one year.

Marriage in Spain can be a quick and easy way to obtain Spanish citizenship if you are not married to a Spanish national.

The partner of the Spaniard must live in Spain for at least 12 months.

Countries where you should reside for three years to acquire citizenship

In some EU countries the non-EU spouse is required to stay in a certain country for three years after their marriage.

Currently, this rule applies to the following countries:

• France
• Greece
• Germany
• Luxembourg
• Netherlands
• Poland
• Portugal
• Slovenia
• Sweden
• These countries are eligible to apply for citizenship after five years of residence:
• Belgium
• Czech Republic
• Estonia
• Iceland
• Malta
• Norway
• Slovakia

Some states have different rules. In Latvia, for example, the non EU partner must reside in the country for at least 7 years. However, other countries, such as Hungary or Latvia, require a longer period of residence.

Finland, for example, does not allow non-EU citizens to obtain citizenship by marriage.

"If your spouse lives permanently in Finland, you may be eligible to receive a residence permit in Finland based on marriage. However, a marriage does not guarantee a residence permit," the statement of InfoFinland reads.

 

 

Source: schengenvisainfo.com