How to Get EU Citizenship: 7 Fastest Paths in 2026 (From 1 to 6 Years)

Why EU Citizenship Matters

An EU passport is arguably the most powerful travel and residency document in the world. It grants you the right to live and work in any of the 27 EU member states plus the EEA countries (Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein) and Switzerland — over 30 countries total, no visa required. You get access to public healthcare, education, and social services across the bloc. Your children inherit the citizenship. And an EU passport provides visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 170+ countries.

The demand has surged. Since 2020, applications for EU citizenship by descent have tripled in Italy, doubled in Ireland, and grown significantly in Romania and Portugal. Brexit pushed hundreds of thousands of UK residents to claim Irish or other EU passports. Political instability in the Americas has driven Latin Americans toward Spanish citizenship. And remote workers are using Portugal's D7 visa as a stepping stone to naturalisation.

Here are the seven fastest legal paths to EU citizenship in 2026, ranked by timeline from shortest to longest.

Timeline Comparison

Cost Breakdown

The 7 Fastest Paths

1. Italy — Jure Sanguinis (Ancestry, No Generational Limit)

Italy's citizenship by descent law is uniquely generous: there is no generational limit. If you can prove an unbroken line of Italian citizenship from an ancestor who emigrated from Italy — even in the 1800s — you may qualify. The key requirement is that no ancestor in the chain renounced Italian citizenship before the birth of the next generation. You will need birth, marriage, and death certificates for every person in the lineage, apostilled and translated.

The process takes 1-3 years depending on whether you apply through an Italian consulate (long wait lists, often 2+ years just for an appointment) or move to Italy and apply through the local comune (faster, often under 1 year, but requires Italian residency). Costs range from €15,000 to €15,000 total, primarily for document retrieval, translations, apostilles, and legal support. Since 2024, an A1/B1 Italian language requirement has been introduced for those naturalising while resident in Italy.

2. Spain — 2 Years for Latin American Nationals

Spain offers a fast track to citizenship for nationals of former Spanish territories: just 2 years of continuous legal residency. This applies to citizens of all Latin American countries, the Philippines, Portugal, Equatorial Guinea, Andorra, and Sephardic Jewish descendants. You need to pass the DELE A2 (Spanish language) and CCSE (constitutional knowledge) exams, demonstrate good conduct, and show economic integration.

For everyone else, the standard naturalisation period is 10 years — one of Europe's longest. But for qualifying nationalities, Spain's 2-year path is the fastest residency-based route to EU citizenship available anywhere. Combined with the relatively low cost of living in much of Spain, this makes it an exceptionally attractive option.

3. Ireland — Ancestry (Grandparent Rule)

If one of your grandparents was born in Ireland (including Northern Ireland), you can register as an Irish citizen through the Foreign Births Register. No residency required, no language test, no income requirement. You submit proof of lineage (grandparent's birth certificate, parent's birth certificate, your birth certificate) and pay €278. Processing takes 12-18 months currently.

If your parent (not grandparent) was born in Ireland, the process is even simpler — you are likely already an Irish citizen by descent and just need to apply for a passport. Post-Brexit, Irish citizenship applications from people in the UK surged and remain high. Ireland allows dual citizenship without restriction.

4. Romania — Ancestry (4 Years, No Residency Required)

Romania grants citizenship to descendants of former Romanian citizens, including those from territories that were historically part of Romania (notably Moldova). The process does not require you to live in Romania. You apply to the National Citizenship Authority (ANC) with proof of ancestry, and the process takes 3-4 years. Language requirements are minimal — a basic Romanian test during the oath ceremony.

This path is particularly popular with Moldovan citizens (who share linguistic and historical ties) and with people of Romanian Jewish descent whose families left before or during World War II. Costs are low: under €200 in government fees, plus €1,000-4,000 for legal support and document procurement. Romania allows dual citizenship.

5. Portugal — Naturalisation (5 Years)

Portugal offers one of Europe's most accessible naturalisation paths. After 5 years of legal residency (on any visa type — D7, work permit, golden visa residency, etc.), you can apply for citizenship. The language requirement is just A2 (basic), physical presence requirements are lenient (you do not need to spend the majority of time in Portugal), and the process is well-documented.

Portugal also allows dual citizenship and does not require you to renounce your original nationality. The country's combination of a digital nomad visa, D7 passive income visa, and relatively fast citizenship timeline has made it one of the top destinations for people building a path to EU citizenship. Total costs for naturalisation are modest: €250 government fee plus translation and legal costs.

6. Malta — Exceptional Services (Investment, 1-3 Years)

Malta's Exceptional Services route is essentially a citizenship-by-investment programme, and it is the only one remaining in the EU after Cyprus closed its scheme. It requires a contribution of €600,000 (with 3 years of residence) or €750,000 (with 1 year of residence) to the National Development and Social Fund, plus a property purchase or rental and a €15,000 charitable donation.

This is by far the most expensive path but also one of the fastest for those who can afford it. Due diligence is thorough — Malta rejects approximately 25% of applications. The programme is capped at 1,500 successful applicants. It is a legitimate option only for high-net-worth individuals who need EU citizenship quickly and are willing to pay a premium.

7. Greece — Standard Naturalisation (7 Years, or 3 for Certain Categories)

Greece's standard naturalisation requires 7 years of continuous legal residency. However, several categories qualify for a reduced 3-year timeline: recognised refugees, stateless persons, ethnic Greeks (homogeneis), and EU citizens. The language requirement is B1 Greek (a challenging language to learn), and you must pass a naturalisation exam covering Greek history, geography, and institutions.

Greece's 7% flat tax regime for foreign-sourced income (valid for 15 years) has attracted digital nomads and remote workers, some of whom are using the long residency path to eventually naturalise. For ethnic Greeks from the diaspora (particularly from the US, Australia, and Egypt), the 3-year accelerated path is a realistic option. Greece allows dual citizenship.

Dual Citizenship Policies

Most EU countries now allow dual citizenship, which is crucial since many applicants want to keep their original nationality. Italy, Portugal, Spain (for qualifying nationalities), Ireland, Romania, Greece, and Malta all permit dual citizenship. Germany reformed its citizenship law in 2024 to allow dual nationality, a historic change. The Netherlands still generally requires renunciation of your previous citizenship upon naturalisation, with exceptions for those who would face unreasonable difficulty or who qualify by marriage.

Important: Even if the EU country allows dual citizenship, your home country may not. India, China, and Japan, for example, do not permit dual nationality. US citizens can hold dual citizenship but must continue filing US taxes worldwide. Always check both sides before proceeding.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the fastest way to get EU citizenship?

Italian citizenship by descent (jure sanguinis) can be obtained in as little as 1-2 years if your documents are in order and you apply through an Italian consulate or directly in Italy. There is no generational limit. Spanish citizenship is available after just 2 years of residency for nationals of Latin American countries, the Philippines, Portugal, and Equatorial Guinea.

Can I get EU citizenship through ancestry?

Yes, several countries offer citizenship by descent. Italy has no generational limit (jure sanguinis). Ireland grants citizenship if a grandparent was Irish-born. Romania offers citizenship to descendants of former Romanian citizens, including those from Moldova. Hungary offers simplified naturalisation for ethnic Hungarians. Each has different documentation requirements.

Do I need to speak the language to get EU citizenship?

Most countries require a language test at A2 or B1 level for naturalisation. Portugal requires A2 (basic), Spain requires A2 (DELE exam), Germany requires B1. Italy requires B1. Ireland has no language requirement. Romania requires basic Romanian. Malta requires proof of Maltese or English proficiency.

Can I hold dual citizenship with an EU country?

Most EU countries now allow dual citizenship, including Italy, Portugal, Spain, Ireland, Romania, Greece, and Malta. Germany reformed its rules in 2024 to allow dual citizenship. The Netherlands still restricts it in most cases. Always check your home country's rules too, as some countries (India, China, Japan) do not allow dual nationality.

How much does it cost to get EU citizenship?

Government fees range from under €200 (Ireland, Romania) to €600,000+ (Malta exceptional services). For naturalisation routes, budget €200-500 for government fees plus €1,000-5,000 for legal support, translations, and apostilles. Italy by descent can cost €5,000-15,000 total including document retrieval and legal fees.

What is the difference between permanent residency and citizenship?

Permanent residency (PR) grants the right to live and work indefinitely but does not include voting rights, diplomatic protection abroad, or automatic right to pass status to children. Citizenship grants full political rights, a passport, consular protection, and is generally irrevocable. PR can be lost through extended absence (usually 2+ years outside the country), while citizenship typically cannot. PR is usually a prerequisite for citizenship, with an additional 1-5 year waiting period.

Can I hold dual citizenship?

Dual citizenship policies vary by country. Many countries allow it (UK, France, Portugal, Canada, Australia, US, Italy). Some prohibit it (Japan, China, India, Singapore, UAE), requiring you to renounce your original citizenship upon naturalisation. A few allow it selectively (Germany allows it for EU citizens but not others, with exceptions). Always check BOTH countries' rules — your home country may strip your original citizenship if you acquire another without permission.

Does citizenship by descent or ancestry exist for my heritage?

Many countries offer citizenship by descent (jus sanguinis) to people with ancestral connections. Italy allows citizenship claims through unbroken paternal lineage with no generational limit. Ireland grants citizenship to grandchildren of Irish-born citizens. Poland, Hungary, and Portugal have similar ancestry programmes. Jewish people can claim Israeli citizenship under the Law of Return. These routes often bypass normal immigration requirements entirely but involve extensive genealogical documentation.

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