6 Proven methods of obtaining a Residence Permit and Citizenship in the European Union
Farrukh Dall
For many people, obtaining residency in the European Union is a dream come true. According to the latest available data from Eurostat, in 2020, the EU-27 issued a total of 3.1 million residence permits, which includes both temporary and permanent permits. EU immigration laws offer various ways for individuals to obtain a residence permit in the European Union (EU), depending on your nationality, purpose of stay, duration of stay and other criteria. Some of the most common methods are:
- EU citizenship: This is the ultimate way to enjoy all the rights and benefits of being an EU citizen, such as free movement, voting rights, consular protection and access to EU institutions. To become an EU citizen, you need to acquire the citizenship of an EU country, either by birth, descent, marriage, adoption or naturalization. Most countries in Europe require you to be a legal resident of the country for a set number of years before you can apply for citizenship. Some countries also have language, integration and civic knowledge requirements.
- EU long-term residence permit: This is a special type of long-term and permanent residence permit that allows you to live and work in any EU country. To apply for this permit, you need to have lived legally and continuously in an EU country for at least five years, have sufficient income and health insurance, and pass a language and integration test. You also need to send the required documents to the immigration authorities, provide your biometric information, pay the fees and wait for the processing of your application.
There are also other methods of getting residency in the EU that are specific to certain groups of people or situations, such as:
- Obtaining Residency Through Work
- Obtaining Residency Through Study
- Obtaining Residency Through Family Ties
- Obtaining Residency Through Investment
- Obtaining Residency Through Refugee Status
- Obtaining Residency Through Special Programs
In this video, I will begin by discussing the benefits of obtaining a European residence permit, followed by an overview of the proven methods for obtaining the residence, as well as citizenship.
Benefits of the EU Long Term Residence Permit
If you get an EU long-term residence permit, you will enjoy almost the same rights as the nationals of the country you are living in.
The benefits of having an EU long-term residence permit include:
Freedom of movement within the EU: With an EU long-term residence permit, you can move freely within the EU without the need for a visa or any other additional documentation.
Access to employment and self-employment opportunities: You can work and engage in self-employment activities in any EU country with the same rights and obligations as EU nationals.
Social benefits: You can access social benefits such as healthcare, education, and social security in the EU country where you are a resident.
Family reunification: You can apply for family reunification and bring your family members to live with you in the EU country where you hold a residence permit.
Travel outside the EU: You can travel outside the EU and re-enter the EU without the need for a visa, provided that you hold a valid passport and residence permit.
Pathway to citizenship: After holding an EU long-term residence permit for a certain period, you may become eligible to apply for citizenship in the EU country where you are a resident.
- Obtaining Residency Through Work
According to a report by the European Migration Network, in 2019, the most common reason for non-EU nationals to migrate to the EU was for work-related reasons. Many EU countries have specific visa and residency programs for workers in high-demand industries, such as IT, engineering, and healthcare. For example, in Germany, the Skilled Immigration Act was introduced in March 2020 to make it easier for qualified workers from non-EU countries to obtain a work permit and eventually permanent residency.
If you have a job offer in an EU country, you can obtain a work permit and eventually apply for residency. In general, you will need to prove that you have a job offer in the country and that you have the necessary skills and qualifications for the job. You may also need to provide proof of your education and work experience.
To obtain residency through work, you will need to follow a few basic steps. First, you will need to find a job in the EU country you want to live in. This can be done by searching online job boards, working with a recruitment agency, or networking with people in your industry. Once you have a job offer, you will need to apply for a work permit. This process will vary depending on the country, but you will typically need to submit your job offer, a valid passport, and other supporting documents.
After you have been working in the EU for a certain amount of time (usually between one and five years, depending on the country), you may be eligible to apply for permanent residency. This will allow you to stay in the country indefinitely and may also lead to citizenship in the future.
In recent years, many EU countries have introduced measures to attract skilled workers from outside the EU. For example, Germany has introduced the Blue Card, which is a work permit for highly skilled workers. Similarly, the Netherlands has introduced the Knowledge Migrant program, which is designed to attract highly skilled workers in science and technology.
According to a survey by InterNations, the top 10 countries for expat workers in Europe in 2020 were:
- Switzerland
- Germany
- Spain
- Austria
- Portugal
- France
- Czech Republic
- Belgium
- Netherlands
- Poland
According to the 2021 Global Talent Competitiveness Index (GTCI), which ranks countries on their ability to attract and retain talent, the top EU countries for talent competitiveness are:
- Switzerland
- Denmark
- Sweden
- Finland
- Netherlands
- Luxembourg
- Germany
- Austria
- Norway
- Belgium
2. Obtaining Residency Through Study
Another way to obtain residency in the EU is through study. If you enroll in a university or college in an EU country, you may be eligible for a student visa, which will allow you to stay in the country for the duration of your studies. After you complete your studies, you may be able to apply for a work permit and eventually residency.
To obtain residency through study, you will need to follow a few basic steps. First, you will need to research universities and colleges in the EU country you want to live in and find a program that meets your needs. Once you have been accepted to a program, you will need to apply for a student visa.
The EU has a long tradition of welcoming international students, and many EU countries offer excellent higher education institutions. According to the 2021 QS World University Rankings, the top EU countries for higher education are:
- Germany
- Netherlands
- France
- Switzerland
- Sweden
- Belgium
- Denmark
- Spain
- Italy
According to a report by Eurostat, in 2021, there were over 738, 900 non-EU students studying in the EU. Many EU countries offer attractive visa and residency programs for international students, with the aim of retaining talented individuals after they complete their studies.
For example, in Sweden, students who complete a degree program at a Swedish university are eligible for a work permit for up to one year after graduation. This allows them to look for work in Sweden and potentially obtain permanent residency.
3. Obtaining Residency Through Family Ties
According to Eurostat, in 2019, family reasons were the second most common reason for non-EU citizens to migrate to the EU. Many EU countries have provisions for family reunification, allowing family members of EU citizens to join them in the EU and eventually obtain residency.
For example, in Italy, family members of Italian citizens or EU citizens who are living in Italy can apply for a family reunification visa. This allows them to live and work in Italy for up to two years, after which they can apply for permanent residency.
If you have family members who are EU citizens, you may be eligible for residency in the EU. In general, you will need to be a spouse, child, or parent of an EU citizen. You may also be eligible if you are the dependent of an EU citizen. According to a study by the Migration Policy Institute, the top EU countries for family reunification are:
- Germany
- France
- Italy
- United Kingdom
- Spain
- Netherlands
- Sweden
- Belgium
- Austria
- Denmark
4. Obtaining Residency Through Investment
These are special residence-by-investment schemes that allow wealthy individuals to obtain a residence permit in an EU country by making a significant contribution to its economy, such as buying real estate, creating jobs or donating to a fund. Each EU country has its own rules and criteria for granting Golden Visas, but they usually offer fast-track processing, visa-free travel within the Schengen area and a pathway to citizenship after a certain period of time. For example, in Portugal, the Golden Visa program allows non-EU citizens to obtain residency by investing at least 280,000 euros in the country. The program has been successful in attracting wealthy investors from around the world, particularly from China and Brazil.
According to the 2021 Global Residence and Citizenship Programs report by Henley & Partners, the top EU countries for residence and citizenship programs are:
- Portugal
- Malta
- Greece
- Spain
- Latvia
- Austria
- Hungary
- Cyprus
- Bulgaria
- Montenegro
5. Obtaining Residency Through Refugee Status
The EU is a major destination for refugees and asylum seekers fleeing conflict and persecution in their home countries. Many EU countries have provisions for granting asylum and refugee status to those in need of protection.
For example, in Germany, the asylum process can take several months or even years, but successful applicants are granted the right to remain in the country and eventually obtain permanent residency.
According to Eurostat, in 2020, the top five EU countries receiving the most first-time asylum applications were:
- Spain
- Germany
- France
- Greece
- Italy
The EU has a legal framework for granting asylum and refugee status to those who are fleeing persecution or conflict in their home country. According to a report by the European Asylum Support Office, the top EU countries for granting asylum in 2020 were:
- Germany
- France
- Spain
- Greece
- Italy
- Sweden
- Belgium
- Netherlands
- Austria
6. Obtaining Residency Through Special Programs
Many EU countries offer attractive visa and residency programs for retirees, particularly those with a significant amount of savings or a pension. These programs often require applicants to meet certain age and financial requirements.
For example, in Portugal, the Non-Habitual Resident (NHR) program offers tax benefits and residency for foreign retirees who receive a pension or other income from abroad. To be eligible, applicants must not have been a tax resident in Portugal in the previous five years and must meet certain financial requirements.
According to a survey by International Living, the top 10 European countries for retirees in 2021 were:
- Portugal
- Spain
- France
- Italy
- Ireland
- Malta
- Greece
- Croatia
- Slovenia
- Czech Republic
You now have a clear understanding of the EU’s residency permit programs. I’ll now go over a few key questions that our clients regularly ask.
What is the eligibility criteria for EU Long-Term Residence Permits?
There are several requirements for non-EU citizens who wish to apply for an EU residence permit. The eligibility criteria for an EU long-term residence permit are as follows.
- For at least five years, you must have lived in the EU country where you apply.
- You must be able to provide for yourself financially. If you have dependents, you should also prove that you have enough means to support them too.
- You must have sufficient command of the official language of the country where you are applying for an EU residence permit.
- You must have at least basic knowledge of the legal and social system and the way of life in the country where you are applying.
- You have sufficient living space for you and the members of your family forming part of your household.
What is the Application Process for an EU Long Term Residence Permit?
To obtain an EU long-term residence permit, it is necessary to apply at the immigration authorities of the EU country where you currently reside. It is advisable to apply while your temporary residence permit is still valid, ideally at least three months before it is due to expire.
What is the EU Long Term Residence Permit Fee?
The cost of obtaining an EU long-term residence permit varies between EU countries and can be equivalent to the fees charged to their own citizens for identity cards. For instance, the fee for adult applicants in the Netherlands is €171, while in Germany, the fee is €109. The fee for this permit in Portugal is €152.
What is the EU Long Term Residence Permit Validity?
The duration of validity for a European residence card varies depending on the EU country where it is obtained. However, the card can be automatically renewed without any conditions or requirements. Prior to expiration, the holder will receive a notification that their residence title has been extended for another period. However, it is possible to receive a notification indicating that the right to the residence permit has been revoked, in which case further details about the decision will be provided.
What are the Grounds for Denial of a Residence Permit Application?
Your application for an EU long-term residence permit will be rejected in the following cases:
- You are suspected of fraud.
- You are considered a threat to public policy and security.
- You have been absent in the country where you are residing for more than 12 consecutive months during the last five years.
- The number of non-EU citizens admitted by the EU country you are applying in, is already set out by the hosting stat.
In conclusion, obtaining a European residence permit can be a challenging but rewarding process. Whether you are looking to work, study, reunite with family, invest, seek asylum, or take advantage of a special program, there are many EU countries that offer welcoming and attractive options. By doing your research or working with qualified professionals, you can increase your chances of success and achieve your dream of living in the EU.
Through this blog, we have explored the six proven methods for obtaining a European residence permit and citizenship. Each method has its own unique requirements, advantages, and disadvantages, and it is important to carefully consider your personal situation and goals when choosing the best path for you.
We hope that this blog has provided you with valuable information and insights into the world of EU immigration. Remember to do your research, seek professional advice, and stay informed throughout the application process. Good luck on your journey towards becoming a European resident or citizen. If you need more detailed information or professional advice on EU immigration and residence permit applications, please feel free to contact us. Our team of experts is here to help you navigate the complex process and find the best solution for your needs.