How to become a citizen of an EU country

The German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser (SPD) is now also using this approach to argue. She wants foreigners to be able to apply for naturalization after just five years instead of eight – and for this she receives applause from the Federal Government’s Commissioner for Integration. “Some are acting as if this is much too short in comparison,” said Reem Alabali-Radovan (SPD) recently in the Bundestag. “In many countries, this has long been the norm.”

But that’s not entirely true. The Handelsblatt has looked at the regulations in various European countries. The study shows that people are naturalized faster, especially in Western and Northern European countries. It is different in the south and east.

One of the indicators is the “Mipex Index”

The “Migrant Policy Group” institute, which collects the so-called Mipex Index, is based in Brussels. It indicates how easy it is to obtain citizenship of a country. The necessary length of stay plays a major role here. But also the requirements in admission tests are examined, the possibility of keeping the old passport and other conditions.

Germany scored 42 out of a possible 100 points in this index, putting it somewhere in the middle of the EU countries. Southern and eastern states are slightly below, so have higher requirements. Western and northern states have lower requirements.

>> Read here: Interior Minister Faeser draws the ire of the FDP on the subject of naturalization

Portugal and Scandinavian countries are more relaxed than Germany

The requirements in Portugal and Sweden are particularly relaxed. In Portugal you have to live for five years to become a citizen – this is the case in many EU countries. However, it is particularly easy for immigrant children born in Portugal to get the passport. This puts the country at the top of the ranking. It’s similar in Swedenwhereby the processing of the application for naturalization there currently takes 38 months, so that the total waiting time is significantly longer than five years.

In Luxembourg – Third place among EU countries – the waiting time for immigrants was reduced from seven to five years a few years ago. In this respect, the reform was comparable to what is now planned in Germany.

Denmark Like Germany, it is in the middle of the EU countries, but is significantly more restrictive compared to the other Scandinavian countries. This is often criticized. In 2016, the law was tightened here. Since then, children born in Denmark cannot automatically get the passport. The fact that at the naturalization ceremony the civil servant had to shake hands caused a stir. Some Muslims see this as an affront.

Also France is one of the countries that are more liberal than Germany. The period there is five years, you can keep your old passport. The applicant must not have committed a criminal offense. Since 2011, he has had to prove at least a written and oral language level of B1. In addition, knowledge of the history, culture and society of France is required and approval of the values ​​of the republic, including equality between men and women and the strict separation of church and state.

In France, it is also examined whether the applicant can take care of himself and how stable his stay in the country is. The family situation is also checked. Minor children living with the applicant can automatically become French with him.

In Great Britain there is a controversial debate about immigration policy. While hard-line Brexit supporters are calling for strict rules for migrant workers, the economy is pushing for relaxation given the shortage of skilled workers. Public opinion is similarly mixed. Formally, permanent residents can apply for British citizenship after five years in the country. In order to actually get the British passport, they have to pass additional requirements such as a language and knowledge test.

>> Read here: The federal government has the wrong priorities when it comes to immigration, as does the opposition. A comment.

Spain and Austria are stricter than Germany

Italy is at a similar level to Germany in the Mipex Index, but with different rules. There, EU citizens can be naturalized after at least four years with Italian residence. Stateless persons are allowed five years of residence in Italy. All other foreigners must have resided locally for at least ten years. There are exceptions for foreigners who were employed in the Italian civil service. In this case, the period is reduced to five years – a stationing abroad can also be taken into account.

In Spain There are special rules for nationals of Latin American countries, Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea, Portugal or people of Sephardic origin. You can get the Spanish passport after two years. For everyone else, it’s ten years. People who have been recognized as refugees have to wait five years for an opportunity to naturalise.

Austria is one of the most restrictive countries within the European Union. Citizens of the EU must reside in Austria for six consecutive years in order to obtain citizenship. Longer deadlines apply to immigrants from other countries. There is also no passport qua birth.

Applicants for a passport must also be of good standing and have an “affirmative attitude towards the republic”. Minor penalties may be enough to deny foreigners passports. In principle, dual citizenship is not possible. However, there are exceptions, for example when naturalization is in the special interest of the Republic.

The strict rules mean that a substantial part of the people living in Austria do not have the right to vote. Nationwide it is around 18 percent, in Vienna even around 40 percent.

In many states there are now simplifications for applicants who have shown special achievements, such as university graduates or artists and athletes.

Germany’s special way with the double pass

Germany is now quite alone with its rules on dual citizenship. Non-EU citizens who want to become German usually have to hand in their old passport. “Empirical studies show that this is a major obstacle for many migrants,” says migration researcher Rainer Bauböck. “Many countries have abolished this rule, Germany belongs to a small group in Europe that has not yet followed the trend.”

Reducing the length of stay from eight to five years would also be an adjustment to the European average. Bauböck sees good reasons for the adjustment: Several studies among migrants have shown that naturalization has a positive influence on the integration process. This applies both before and after the naturalization date. “The result clearly shows that those who have a chance of naturalization in the foreseeable future will spend more energy on integrating into society,” says Bauböck. “And even after that there is a demonstrable effect on the income of the naturalized.”

In order to optimally exploit these effects, naturalization after four to six years is optimal, says Bauböck. With a long period of eight to ten years, the positive effect fizzles out.

With Daniel Imwinkelried, Tanja Kuecker, Sandra Louven, Torsten Riecke, Helmut Steuer, Christian Wermke

More: Between deportation and “turbo naturalization” – This is what the federal government is planning on the subject of migration