Obtaining citizenship in countries raises many questions. Answers to them will allow you to choose the state that is able to provide good living conditions and ample opportunities for passport holders. Residents often explore the prospects in terms of moving to other countries and count on the absence of the obligation to obtain a Schengen visa. The question to obtain a second citizenship is worth considering from several points of view, so include other points of view:

  • the ability to keep your first passport after it has been issued;
  • the quality of medical care and education;
  • the requirements for residency (need for investments, presence of relatives);
  • the duration of the permanent habitation period;
  • presence (absence) of special circumstances.

In order to study the list, it is necessary either to consult an expert from Immigrant Invest Evgeniya Morozova or to spend a lot of time searching for all the required information.

Check the already compiled list of the best countries where obtaining citizenship is easy and hassle-free. Remember that the requirements may affect other family members who will receive in European country with easiest citizenship together with you. So, the list of European countries with easy conditions for obtaining citizenship is the following.

Portugal

If you are interested in obtaining second citizenship, you should start with Portugal. Why? Because it is the easiest EU country to get citizenship. There are no requirements for permanent residence in the country. But this is not the only thing that distinguishes the country from other attractive options:

  1. Minimum of documents. You will need to submit a package of documents to the embassy in order to make a request. The list includes your passport, birth certificates of children (if you have them), a list of countries where you lived, and a certificate of a criminal record.
  2. Conditions for residents. Permanent residency is not required, but you must live for at least five years to obtain citizenship. It will cost 200 euros to apply, which is a relatively low price. In addition, the resident must have knowledge of Portuguese at A2 level.
  3. The possibility to obtain a Golden Visa. This option is considered by investors, who are ready to take the easiest way to get citizenship. Having a Golden Visa allows you to visit Schengen countries and travel within the EU without obtaining visa documents.

The Portuguese authorities show some loyalty to applicants for the easiest passport obtainment in Europe. For example, it is enough to reside in the country for two weeks during the specified five years. In some cases, leaving the country may be restricted, but this is still the exception rather than the rule.

Sweden

Sweden is ranked second in the top countries due to a residence on the territory for a little over four years (39 months). However, trips abroad are limited by certain regulations of the country. The maximum amount of time you can spend outside is six weeks.

Having a valid residence permit plays a certain role. The period of residence depends on whether your home country is an EU residence. If you have a residence permit, the period of residence is shortened. In cases where the permit was issued after arrival in Sweden, the report starts from the date of receipt of documents.

The liberality of the rules for obtaining citizenship is manifested in other points:

  • If you are married to a Swede (Swedish woman), the period of residence is reduced to three years;
  • Mandatory knowledge of the language is not required, but the resident must attend language courses and improve their skills;
  • Adapting to Swedish life (having a bank account and real estate) also significantly speeds up the process of obtaining citizenship.

Registration of the application will cost 150 euros. In addition, you do not have to renounce the citizenship of another country.

Malta

Malta Golden Visa program for obtaining citizenship by investment is very popular, as it is the easiest EU country to get citizenship in. This is because residents are encouraged to make investments and donations in the amounts prescribed by law. The sum of contributions is $750,000, but the benefits to becoming a citizen attract by:

  1. There are no visa restrictions. It is enough to show a Maltese passport for travel, and no visa is required. This way, entrepreneurs can relocate to more than 100 countries worldwide.
  2. Fast processing. It is possible to get Maltese citizenship within 18 months. For this purpose, investing and preparing a package of requested documents is necessary.
  3. Residence permit for citizenship. A resident with a residence permit for five years or more can apply for a passport. The investment, in this case, is not required.

Since Malta offers the fastest program for obtaining a passport, the attention to the program is justified.

Luxembourg

When considering options for obtaining second citizenship, residents forget about Luxembourg and for nothing. The country creates simple conditions for the procedure, and the necessary information is available on the official website. It is the only state that follows every letter of its law.

Resident naturalization implies an excellent option for obtaining a residence permit. The residence permit is also issued to those who apply and financially support themselves through passive income. The period to obtain second citizenship is five years.

To get European citizenship, it is necessary to follow such rules:

  • The minimum level of language proficiency is A2 in speaking and B1 in listening;
  • to apply, it is necessary to submit the results of the French, German, or Luxembourg language test of the resident’s choice;
  • the application process is free of charge, although some documents are available for a fee.

The small country of Luxembourg, nestled between France, Germany, and Belgium, accepts residents on simple terms. This makes the state stand out from the rest of the nations.

France

Multiple benefits motivate us to include France on the list of the best countries. Have you completed your master’s degree at a French university? The term of the resident card is reduced to 3 years, after which the citizen passport will be in your hands.

Residents must fulfill the following conditions to obtain citizenship:

  • intermediate knowledge of the French language;
  • an understanding of French culture;
  • an awareness of the value of the French masters’ contribution.

The package of documents for registration looks less impressive than in previous cases. It is enough to provide a valid passport, translations of certificates (birth, birth parents), and payment statements for the past few years. You should also include a rental property agreement for three years in the list of required documents.

The next step is the interview. It is done in French, so speaking fluently is a must. Another part of the interview is demonstrating attention and proper respect for the French way of life. Civic life and political topics will also be touched upon, so consider that before you make your request.

The application fee is only 55 euros. Processing the request takes up to 2 years, and you can get European citizenship. You have the option to keep both passports because the legislation allows this.