Dreaming of becoming a European citizen in 2026? Whether you want to live, work, travel freely across the EU, or just have a second passport for security and flexibility—there are several European countries making it easier than ever to get citizenship.
But here’s the truth: not all paths are the same. Some countries offer fast-track citizenship through ancestry or investment, while others require you to live there for a few years. In this article, we explore the easiest European countries to get citizenship—with updated rules for 2026—including Ireland, Portugal, Germany, Greece, Cyprus, and more.
You’ll learn:
- How long it takes to get citizenship
- The full list of required documents
- Pros and cons of each route (like cost, language tests, and whether you need to live there)
- Which countries allow dual citizenship and low residency time
Whether you’re applying through family heritage, legal residency, or investing in property or businesses, this detailed guide will help you find the path that suits your lifestyle and budget.
Let’s dive into the easiest ways to get that EU passport in 2026—step by step
Ireland – Best for Citizenship by Descent
Why it’s easy:
- You can get Irish citizenship through your grandparents—up to great-grandparents may count too
- No language test or living in Ireland is needed
- Processing can take about 9 months
If you move and live there:
- Naturalization takes 5 years of living there
Pros
- No need to live in Ireland if you qualify by descent (parent or grandparent).
- You obtain full citizenship for life, and it can pass to your children.
- Henley & Partners
- Dual citizenship is allowed—you don’t have to give up your current nationality.
- As a citizen, you can live, work, and study anywhere in the EU, and travel freely.
Cons
- Processing can take a long time—some cases take up to 30 months (2.5 years).
- There’s currently a large backlog—tens of thousands waiting, though processing time has improved to about 9 months on average when all documents are submitted.
- You must provide documentary proof of your lineage—you need birth certificates (yours, your ancestor’s), marriage certificates, and certified IDs. It can be tricky to gather if records are missing or inconsistent.
- Some applicants have trouble getting cooperation from relatives for documents—ID from a parent may be required.
Duration
- Foreign Birth Registration route (if you have a parent or grandparent born in Ireland): about 9 months processing time currently, down from much longer previously.
- Other ancestry or association cases may take between 18 and 30 months
Required Documents
For ancestor (parent or grandparent):
- Original birth certificate showing parental details
- Marriage certificate (if applicable)
- Name change documents (if applicable)
- Certified copy of ID (passport, driver’s license) or death certificate if deceased
For Application:
- Your original birth certificate showing parent info
- Certified copy of your current ID (passport)
- Two proofs of address (e.g. utility bill, bank statement)
- Four color photographs (often two must be witnessed)
- All these documents must be certified (true copies) by a recognized witness: notary, peace commissioner, solicitor, accountant, etc.
- You may follow specific packaging instructions when submitting documents—some users recommend organizing shared documents and personal ones neatly, though always double-check with official guidelines.
Summary:
- Best if you have Irish ancestry.
- Very fast, no tests, minimal hassle.
Portugal : Flexible and Investor-Friendly
Golden Visa Pathway:
- You invest (not in real estate now) like €500 K in funds, or €250 K in culture or research
- You only need to stay about 7 days a year
- After 5 years of residency, you can get citizenship—even if you don’t live there full time
Also easy with ancestry:
- If you have Sephardic Jewish ancestry, you may apply faster
Pros
- You can get residence quickly, usually in 6–12 months after application.
- VisaVerge
- Henley & Partners
- Residency requirement is very low: about 14 days in the first two years, then 21 days total for the next three years.
- Henley & Partners
- You can include family members (spouse, children, dependent parents) in one application.
- Henley & Partners
- You’re eligible to apply for citizenship after 5 years of legal residency, while keeping your original citizenship.
- Henley & Partners
- You get visa-free travel across the EU Schengen area, and access to live, work, study in Portugal.
- Henley & Partners
Cons
- The cost is high—minimum €250,000 to €500,000 depending on investment type.
- Henley & Partners
- Processing fees add up: €5,000–8,000 plus family fees and possibly legal assistance costs.
- You must meet new naturalization criteria: basic Portuguese (A2 level), knowledge of culture, and citizenship may require more residency if new rules pass.
In June 2025, Portugal proposed doubling naturalization residency from 5 to 10 years for most—only Portuguese-speaking country nationals have a reduced period (7 years). These changes are not yet law but expected to pass.
Duration
- Residence permit via Golden Visa: takes 6–12 months usually to process.
- Golden Visa residency validity: two-year initial, then renewable for three more years.
- Citizenship eligibility: after 5 years (subject to possible future change to 10 years).
Required Documents
- Valid passport (and residence visa if needed)
- Proof of qualifying investment (e.g. contract, bank statements, fund documents)
- Criminal record certificate from your home country (and any other countries you lived in recently)
- Bank declaration showing funds origin abroad
- Health insurance valid in Portugal
- Portuguese tax number (fiscal number)
- Declarations from Portuguese authorities showing no debts to tax and social security services
- Documents proving family relationship (if applying with dependents)
- After 5 years, for citizenship you must show: no criminal convictions, basic Portuguese language ability (A2 level), integration in Portuguese society.
Germany – Easiest by Naturalization
Germany made its citizenship rules easier: lower residency requirements and now allows dual citizenship
Details:
- You can apply after a few years of living legally (standard is 5 years; could be shorter)
- Lots of people have successfully gained German citizenship quickly recently
Summary :
- Great for long-term residents.
- Rules just got easier, so it’s a good option.
Greece – Very Low Stay Requirement via Investment
Golden Visa:
- Invest in property (starting at €250 K, sometimes up to €400–800 K in big cities/islands)
- No need to live in Greece—just keep the investment and renew every 5 years
- Processing is fast—often in 2–3 months
- After 7 years of lawful residence, you can apply for citizenship. You must pass a language and culture test
Summary:
- Great if you want residency right away with no real living required.
- Citizenship takes longer and needs tests later.
Bulgaria – Fast with Bigger Investment
Investment Path:
- Invest in government bonds or similar (about €512 K).
- Résidence in 6 months; citizenship in about 1.5 years if you invest double
- No language requirement and very fast processing
Summary:
- Expensive but very quick.
- No living requirement and easy process.
Cyprus – Steady Residency, Some Investment
Permanent Residency:
- Invest €300 K in property, get permanent residency in just a few months
Citizenship:
- After 5–7 years of living, you can apply for citizenship
Note : The previous Cyprus “golden passport” (quick citizenship by large investment) has been ended due to legal problems
Summary:
- Good for residency fast; citizenship takes time.
Malta – Investment Citizenship (Now Ended)
Previously, Malta offered direct citizenship in 1–3 years via big donation—€600 K–€750 K + property + charity donation
