The European Union (EU) is composed of 28 member states and offers citizenship to people with a direct connection to those countries. EU citizenship offers many advantages, including free movement (visa-free) between member states, protection from any state and the ability to vote and stand as a candidate in EU elections.
The desire to be a member of the European Union (EU) is shared by the majority of non-EU citizens due to the numerous benefits that come with being an EU citizen.
As a result, many people wonder how their dream would come true. To become an EU citizen, individuals must fulfil one of four possible pathways listed below.
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Possible Ways To Become An EU Citizen:
- Citizenship Through Work: The first pathway is by obtaining EU citizenship through work. This is a great option for individuals who possess the necessary skillset and experience that member states may need. Non-EU citizens who earn permanent work residency for a period of five years in any member state are then eligible to apply for citizenship of the country in which they reside.
- Naturalization: The second option for becoming an EU citizen is by naturalization. This is possible when a person meets the residency and integration requirements of their host member state. Typically, such conditions include living in the state as a legal resident for at least five years, passing a citizenship test and/or integration tests, and pledging allegiance/loyalty to the host state.
- Citizenship By Marriage:
The third alternative is to marry a citizen of an EU member nation.If a person marries an EU citizen, they are then eligible to seek for citizenship in the country where their spouse resides/comes from as long as they can present a legal marriage certificate. Depending on the country, the you may also need to meet other requirements, such taking an exam and meeting residency requirements.
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- Citizenship By Descent: The fourth and final option for gaining EU citizenship is through descent. This includes descendants of individuals who hold citizenship of a particular state or an ancestor who used to live in a state at some point in their life. (ie. If you have a relative who can pass his/her EU citizenship to you). To apply, you must provide evidence of your ancestor’s citizenship in Europe, such as a passport, birth, marriage, death, or refugee document at the appropriate office.
Additional Information:
An important detail about EU citizenship is that it allows for dual citizenship, which means an individual can hold the citizenship of their current member state and of another non-EU country at the same time.
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Conclusion:
In conclusion, there are four pathways for individuals to obtain EU citizenship. These include obtaining EU citizenship through work, naturalization, marriage and descent. Each option comes with its own requirements and qualifications that need to be met before an individual can become a citizen. Finally, it is important to remember that dual citizenship is possible, so it is possible to hold citizenship of both a member state and another non-EU country at the same time