Citizenship in the European Union: how to get it if you have a residence permit → Immigrant Invest

1. Is it possible to get an EU passport without citizenship programs for investments?
2. British citizenship through a residence permit
3. Portuguese citizenship through a residence permit
4. Citizenship of Cyprus through a residence permit
5. Spanish citizenship through a residence permit
6. Greek citizenship through residence permit
7. When choose the way to obtain EU passports through a residence permit?

A number of our clients are interested in the question of whether there are ways to obtain EU citizenship through a residence permit in Europe. At the moment, European citizenship directly can be obtained only under two programs - in Cyprus and Malta. The alternative way to get a passport through a residence permit is much longer - the period will last for several years. If you are not in a hurry with European citizenship, then this article is for you.

Is it possible to get an EU passport without citizenship programs for investments?

As we have already noted, now in Europe only two states offer the opportunity to quickly obtain EU passports for investments - these are Cyprus (from 2 million euros, a term of 3 months) and Malta (from 800 thousand euros, a period of 12-16 months). Is there another way to get citizenship of Cyprus and Malta with less financial investment? In addition, many wealthy people are willing to obtain citizenship in Spain, Portugal, Greece. Consider these features in more detail.

Important! It should be noted that the program " Malta Residence Permit "And" Malta's permanent residence »Make it possible to issue only relevant statuses and prohibit further application for the citizenship of this country. Therefore, you can get a passport here only directly through participation in the state program " Malta citizenship ".

British citizenship through a residence permit

Deadlines for obtaining passports

From 5 years

The clearance process

A residence permit in the UK can be obtained by official the program - for investments of 2-10 million pounds in government bonds or British companies. Depending on the invested amount depends on the period of citizenship. If the amount is 2 million pounds, then in 5 years you will receive permanent residence and a year later - a passport. If the amount of 5 million pounds, then the period of obtaining permanent residence is reduced to 3 years, citizenship - to 5 years. With investments of 10 million pounds of permanent residence, you will receive in 2 years, citizenship - also in 5 years.

The UK government is tough on terms of staying in the country of residence permit holders. If you and your family are applying for citizenship, you cannot spend more than 450 days outside the state for the previous 5 years. You also can not spend outside the country for more than 90 days in the last year preceding the application for a passport.

In the near future, the program may change due to the release of the UK from the EU.

Who is involved

• Investor from 18 years
• His spouse
• Children under 18

Portuguese citizenship through a residence permit

Deadlines for obtaining passports

From 6 years old

The clearance process

First you need to issue a residence permit in Portugal. To do this, you apply for participation in the state the program . It will require an investment of at least 350-500 thousand euros - depending on the option. Basically, investors choose to buy real estate, because after 5 years it can be sold, returning the money spent. Also after 5 years you get the opportunity to apply for permanent residence in Portugal, and a year later - for citizenship.

Who is involved

• Investor from 18 years
• His spouse
• Children under 26, financially dependent on the investor

Citizenship of Cyprus through a residence permit

Deadlines for obtaining passports

From 8 years old

The clearance process

Start by registering a residence permit in Cyprus by the official the program . It involves several ways, but we recommend to use the purchase of real estate with the subsequent receipt of a residence permit category F. The property must be purchased only in the primary market, and invest in it - at least 300 thousand euros. Additionally, you need to put in a deposit in a Cyprus bank 30 thousand euros and confirm the official income (the optimal amount is 60-70 thousand euros per year).

It should be noted that a residence permit category F obliges you to live in Cyprus for at least 183 days a year - regardless of whether you plan to get a local passport in the future or not.

After 5 years, you apply for permanent residence in Cyprus, and after 3-5 years - citizenship. During all this time, you must comply with the terms of stay in the country (from 183 days a year).

Who is involved

• Investor from 18 years
• His spouse
• Children under 26, financially dependent on the investor
• Parents

Spanish citizenship through a residence permit

Deadlines for obtaining passports

From 10 years

The clearance process

We should also start with obtaining a residence permit for the whole family of Spain. This can be done now by the appropriate state the program . The main type of investment is the purchase of real estate worth from 500 thousand euros. You can also put 1 million euros in deposit, create a business project with the same budget or buy government bonds in the amount of 2 million euros. After 5 years, you can exit the program, maintaining the status of a residence permit.

If you want to get a passport of Spain, then in 5 years you will need to become a Spanish resident, that is, to spend in the country more than 183 days a year. After another 5 years you will be able to apply for citizenship. Additionally, you need to confirm the knowledge of the language.

Who is involved

• Investor from 18 years
• His spouse
• Children under 26, financially dependent on the investor

Greek citizenship through residence permit

Deadlines for obtaining passports

From 10 years

The clearance process

To make a residence permit in Greece can be just 1-2 months, using the official state the program . The easiest and fastest way to get this status for the purchase of real estate worth 250 thousand euros.

It is possible to participate in the program as a financially independent person, confirming the presence of at least 24 thousand euros in a Greek bank. However, in this case, there are no guarantees of receipt, it is necessary to live in Greece for 183 days a year, and only the spouse and children can be included in the application (with surcharge).

It is also possible to obtain a residence permit in Greece for the conduct of economic activities in the country in the amount of 300 thousand euros. In fact, we are talking about investing in a business.

After 5 years, the whole family is applying for permanent residence in Greece, and after another 5 years you are applying for passports. Important! For all 10 years you must live in Greece for at least 183 days a year.

Who is involved

If you choose a property purchase:

• Investor from 18 years
• His spouse
• Children under 26, financially dependent on the investor
• Parents
• Grandchildren investor

When choose the way to obtain EU passports through a residence permit?

Choosing a way to obtain EU citizenship is not directly through investment programs, but through registration of a residence permit / permanent residence, you significantly increase the period for obtaining passports. Registration will take you at least 6 years. Therefore, this option is suitable for people who do not aim to obtain citizenship as soon as possible, but at the same time plan to move to Europe now (Greece, Cyprus) or after a time (Portugal, Spain).

Note that at the moment also the design programs are working. Residence permit in Switzerland , Residence permit in Austria . However, obtaining citizenship for them will take more than 10 years. If you need European passports in the near future, take advantage of the programs "Citizenship of Cyprus" and "Citizenship of Malta". Contact our company for advice and individual calculation of the cost of participation.