Easiest Countries to Get Citizenship in Europe: A Guide for Tech Professionals Relocating with a Job

Estonia 🇪🇪

Residency to citizenship summary:

• Citizenship after: Eight years of residence (last five with permanent status)
• Dual citizenship: Not permitted (exceptions for children under 18)
• Language requirement: Yes; Estonian (B1 CEFR level)
• Permanent residence: Required before applying for citizenship

Estonia requires eight years of lawful residence, including five years with a long-term or permanent residence permit, to apply for citizenship. Applicants must also pass exams in the Estonian language and constitutional knowledge. While the timeline is longer than in other countries, Estonia makes up for it with:

• Transparent visa categories for skilled workers, including the Digital Nomad Visa and the Startup Visa
• Efficient online government services for residency registration and permit renewals
• A flat 20% income tax system and no corporate tax on reinvested profits

Although the Estonian language is a significant hurdle, tech professionals relocating with a job offer will benefit from the country’s clear and predictable immigration system. Estonia does not allow dual citizenship, which means that successful applicants must renounce their prior nationality.

For full details, explore the Estonia citizenship page and relocation guide.

Portugal 🇵🇹

Residency to citizenship summary:

• Citizenship after: Five years of legal residence
• Dual citizenship: Allowed
• Language requirement: Yes; Portuguese (A2 CEFR level)
• Permanent residence: Not required, but common

Portugal is one of the easiest countries to get citizenship in Europe. It offers one of the shortest and most attainable paths to citizenship. Non-EU professionals who legally reside in Portugal for five consecutive years can apply for naturalisation. This includes individuals holding:

• Work visas
• D2 Entrepreneur Visa
• D8 Digital Nomad Visa

The process requires proof of integration, including an A2-level Portuguese language certificate, a clean criminal record, and stable residence. Dual citizenship is permitted, and applicants are not required to demonstrate continuous employment.

Portugal’s immigration system is transparent and inclusive, with efficient processing times for permanent residency and clear legal frameworks for long-term stays. The country’s low cost of living and tax incentives for expats add to its appeal.

Visit the Portugal visa and citizenship guides for eligibility details.

The Netherlands 🇳🇱

Residency to citizenship summary:

• Citizenship after: Five years of continuous legal residence
• Dual citizenship: Not permitted (exceptions apply, e.g. DAFT for U.S. nationals)
• Language requirement: Yes; Dutch integration exam required
• Permanent residence: Recommended but not mandatory

The Netherlands offers a direct route to citizenship after five years of lawful residence, provided you pass the civic integration exam (inburgeringsexamen), which tests Dutch language and cultural knowledge. Key pathways include:

• Highly Skilled Migrant Visa (kennismigrant)
• EU Blue Card
• Dutch-American Friendship Treaty (DAFT): Allows U.S. citizens to reside and work without employer sponsorship

While dual citizenship is generally not allowed, the DAFT treaty creates an advantage for U.S. nationals, as it simplifies the residence process. Applicants must also renounce their prior nationality in most cases, unless they fall under specific exemptions (such as statelessness or marriage to a Dutch citizen).

For a full breakdown of residency-to-citizenship pathways, see Relocate.me’s Netherlands relocation and visa guides.

Ireland 🇮🇪🍀

Residency to citizenship summary:

• Citizenship after: Five years of residence within the last nine years (must include one year of continuous residence before application)
• Dual citizenship: Allowed
• Language requirement: No formal test; English proficiency expected
• Permanent residence: Not a prerequisite for citizenship

Ireland is especially attractive to tech professionals due to its English-speaking environment and multinational presence. Citizenship by naturalisation requires:

• Five years of lawful residence (calculated as one continuous year plus four additional years accumulated within the past nine years)
• Demonstration of good character, intent to remain in Ireland, and knowledge of the country’s laws

Ireland’s Critical Skills Employment Permit provides a fast-track route to long-term residency for professionals in high-demand sectors like IT, engineering, and pharmaceuticals. Dual citizenship is permitted, and no formal language test is needed for English speakers.

Relocate.me’s Ireland section offers guidance on employment permits, cost of living, and citizenship application procedures.

France 🇫🇷🥖

Residency to citizenship summary:

• Citizenship after: Five years of residence (or two years if educated in France)
• Dual citizenship: Allowed
• Language requirement: Yes; French (B1 CEFR level)
• Permanent residence: Not mandatory

France’s citizenship path is available to foreigners after five years of continuous legal residence. The requirement drops to two years for those who graduate from a French higher education institution. Applicants must:

• Demonstrate B1-level French proficiency
• Pass an integration interview
• Show stable income and residence

France accepts dual citizenship and does not require applicants to give up their original nationality. The process includes an online application (via the NATALI platform), followed by an interview and naturalisation ceremony.

Relocate.me constantly publishes dedicated resources on French visas, taxes, and the cost of living.

Countries with more restrictive citizenship policies

Some countries in Europe are more cautious in granting citizenship to foreign nationals. For instance:

• Belgium: Though possible after five years, integration and language requirements are high, and processes vary by region.
• Spain: Requires 10 years of residence, unless the applicant is from a former Spanish colony.
• Sweden: Recent reforms are going to introduce language and civics tests for citizenship, and processing delays are becoming more common.

These countries may still be suitable for relocation depending on your job sector or personal preferences, but their citizenship frameworks are less straightforward.

Considering citizenship in Europe? Talk with an immigration expert

These are the easiest countries to get citizenship in Europe. All of them offer structured routes to EU citizenship. But timelines, language tests, and residency rules vary a lot. If you’re relocating with a job offer, it pays to get clear on what those next five to ten years might look like.

Relocate.me knows vetted immigration experts who specialise in long-term relocation planning. If you’re unsure about the steps from work visa to passport, or simply want help preparing the right paperwork, we can connect you with someone who’s done this before, many times.

You can also browse our country-specific citizenship guides, find tech roles that offer relocation support, or subscribe to The Global Move, our newsletter with curated tech jobs and content for relocation seekers.