How to Get EU Citizenship as an American: Your Complete Guide to European Citizenship by Investment and Alternative Pathways

The prospect of obtaining EU citizenship has never been more appealing to American investors, entrepreneurs, and globally mobile families seeking greater freedom, security, and opportunity.

This comprehensive guide examines the most strategic pathways to European citizenship—including citizenship by investment, citizenship by descent, and residence-based naturalisation—helping you understand which route aligns with your personal circumstances, timeline, and long-term objectives.

What Are the Main Pathways to Get EU Citizenship as an American?

For Americans exploring how to obtain citizenship in a European country, there are several distinct routes available, each with its own requirements, timelines, and investment thresholds. The primary pathways include citizenship by investment programs, citizenship by descent through ancestry, citizenship by marriage to an EU citizen, and citizenship by naturalisation following a period of legal residency. Understanding the nuances of each pathway is essential to making an informed decision that supports your family's global mobility strategy and wealth protection goals.

Citizenship by investment remains the fastest and most direct route for those without European ancestry or family ties. Countries like Portugal offer structured programs that grant citizenship in exchange for substantial economic contributions, including real estate investments, government donations, and proof of genuine links to the country. These programs are designed for high-net-worth individuals who value speed, certainty, and the ability to bypass lengthy residency requirements.

For Americans with European heritage, citizenship by descent presents a compelling alternative. Many European countries offer citizenship by descent to individuals who can prove ancestral ties, often extending to grandparents or even great-grandparents.

This pathway requires thorough documentation and can involve navigating complex bureaucratic processes, but it offers a cost-effective means to gain EU citizenship without significant financial outlays.

US passport holders seeking EU citizenship have multiple pathways to explore. Greek residency offers a gateway through investment, leading to European access. Understanding Different types of citizenship is crucial when planning your strategy. While Turkish residency and Antiguan and Barbudan residency don't provide EU status, they offer valuable alternatives. Programs like American residency demonstrate our comprehensive global expertise in securing your ideal second citizenship.

Why Do Americans Want to Get EU Citizenship?

The appeal of European citizenship extends far beyond the prestige of holding a European passport. EU citizenship confers the right to live in an EU country, work in any EU country, and study in any EU country across all 27 EU member states. This freedom of movement represents an unparalleled level of global mobility, enabling families to access world-class education systems, healthcare infrastructure, and business opportunities throughout the European Union.

Beyond mobility, many Americans seek EU citizenship as a strategic component of their broader wealth protection and tax planning frameworks. While obtaining citizenship does not automatically resolve all tax obligations—particularly for U.S. citizens subject to worldwide taxation—it does create optionality. A second passport from a European country provides security, diversification, and the ability to relocate quickly in response to changing political, economic, or personal circumstances.

Additionally, EU passport holders benefit from visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to over 180 countries, significantly enhancing international travel flexibility. For entrepreneurs and investors with cross-border business interests, the ability to move freely within the European Union and beyond is invaluable, facilitating seamless market access, client engagement, and operational expansion.

Which EU Countries Offer Citizenship by Investment Programs?

Among the 27 EU countries, only a select few offer direct citizenship by investment programs that allow applicants to become an EU citizen without lengthy residency requirements. Malta citizenship by investment is the most prominent and widely recognised option available today. The Malta citizenship program requires a combination of a government contribution, property investment (either purchase or lease), and a genuine connection to the country, including a period of residency ranging from 12 to 36 months depending on the level of contribution.

Malta's program is highly regarded for its rigorous due diligence, transparency, and the strength of the resulting EU passport. Applicants benefit from full rights as a citizen of an EU country, including unrestricted access to live, work, and settle across the European Union. The application process is managed through accredited agents and involves comprehensive background checks, health assessments, and verification of the source of funds.

Austria also offers a pathway to citizenship by investment, though it operates on a more discretionary and opaque basis. Unlike Malta, Austria does not have a formal legislative framework for its citizenship-by-investment route, and approvals are granted on a case-by-case basis to individuals who demonstrate exceptional economic benefit to the country. The required investment is typically substantial, often exceeding several million euros, and the process is highly selective.

What Is the Difference Between EU Citizenship by Investment and Golden Visa Programs?

It is crucial to distinguish between EU citizenship-by-investment programs and golden visa programs, as the two are often confused but serve fundamentally different purposes. A golden visa program grants residency—not citizenship—in exchange for investment. Many European countries offer golden visa schemes, including Portugal's golden visa, Spain, Greece, and Italy. These programs provide a pathway to eventual citizenship by naturalisation after fulfilling residency requirements, but they do not confer immediate citizenship.

For example, Portugal's golden visa allows investors to obtain residency by investment with minimal physical presence requirements. After five years of maintaining this residency, applicants may be eligible to apply for citizenship, provided they meet language proficiency and other naturalisation criteria. This pathway is attractive to those willing to commit to a longer timeline in exchange for lower upfront costs and more flexible residency obligations.

Golden visa programs are particularly well-suited to families seeking a second residency option, tax optimisation opportunities, or a foothold in Europe without an immediate need for full citizenship. However, for those prioritising speed, certainty, and immediate access to EU citizenship, direct citizenship by investment remains the superior option.

Can Americans Claim EU Citizenship by Descent?

Citizenship by descent represents one of the most accessible and cost-effective pathways for Americans with European ancestry to gain EU citizenship. Many European countries offer citizenship by descent to individuals who can demonstrate that a parent, grandparent, or even great-grandparent was a citizen of that country. Italian citizenship by descent, Irish citizenship by descent, Polish citizenship by descent, Portuguese citizenship by descent, and Spanish citizenship by descent are among the most sought-after programs.

Each country has its own eligibility criteria, documentation requirements, and processing timelines. Italian citizenship by descent, for instance, allows Americans to claim citizenship through an unbroken line of Italian ancestors, provided there was no naturalisation in another country before the birth of the next descendant. The process involves gathering birth, marriage, and death certificates, translating and apostilling documents, and submitting applications either through Italian consulates or directly in Italy.

Irish citizenship by descent is similarly generous, extending eligibility to those with an Irish-born grandparent. The process is relatively straightforward, involving registration with the Foreign Births Register and subsequent application for an Irish passport. For Americans with eligible ancestry, citizenship by descent offers a direct route to European citizenship without investment, residency, or language requirements.

How Does Citizenship by Marriage Work for Americans Married to EU Citizens?

Marriage to an EU citizen provides another pathway to EU citizenship by marriage, though the specific requirements vary across EU countries. Generally, citizenship by marriage requires the couple to be legally married for a minimum period—often ranging from three to five years—and to demonstrate a genuine relationship. In most cases, the American spouse must also fulfil residency requirements, language proficiency tests, and integration criteria.

For example, citizenship in Portugal through marriage requires three years of legal marriage and proof of sufficient knowledge of the Portuguese language. Similarly, Spain requires one year of legal residency for spouses of Spanish citizens before they are eligible to apply for citizenship. These pathways are typically faster than standard naturalisation routes but still require time, commitment, and integration into the host country.

It is important to note that many EU countries allow dual citizenship, enabling Americans to retain their U.S. nationality while acquiring European citizenship. However, not all countries permit dual nationality, so it is essential to verify the specific rules of the target EU country before proceeding.

What Are the Residency Requirements to Obtain EU Citizenship by Naturalisation?

For Americans without ancestry, marriage ties, or the means to pursue citizenship by investment, citizenship by naturalisation remains a viable pathway. This route requires establishing legal residency in an EU country, typically through employment, study, family reunification, or a golden visa program, and maintaining that residency for a specified period—usually ranging from five to ten years—before becoming eligible for citizenship.

Citizenship by naturalisation generally requires applicants to demonstrate language proficiency, knowledge of the country's history and culture, financial self-sufficiency, and clean criminal records. The application process can be lengthy and bureaucratic, but it ultimately offers a pathway to full citizenship and the rights of an EU citizen.

Countries like Portugal, Spain, and Ireland offer relatively favourable naturalisation timelines for residency-based applicants.

Portugal, for instance, allows golden visa holders to apply for citizenship after five years, provided they meet language and residency requirements. Spain offers citizenship after ten years of legal residency, though this is reduced to one year for nationals of certain countries.

Do All EU Countries Allow Dual Citizenship for Americans?

One of the most important considerations for Americans pursuing European citizenship is whether the target country allows dual citizenship. Fortunately, many European countries—including Ireland, Italy, Portugal, Greece, France, and Poland—permit dual nationality, enabling Americans to acquire EU citizenship without renouncing their U.S. citizenship.

However, several countries that allow dual citizenship impose specific conditions or require formal permission. For example, Austria and Germany generally do not allow dual citizenship except in exceptional circumstances, such as for citizens by descent or those who can demonstrate significant hardship.

Understanding the dual citizenship policies of your target EU country is critical, as involuntary loss of U.S. citizenship can have profound legal, tax, and personal implications. At Marlow Bray, we provide tailored guidance on dual nationality planning, ensuring clients navigate these complexities with confidence and clarity.

Which Are the Easiest EU Countries to Get Citizenship For Americans?

When evaluating the easiest EU countries to get citizenship, several factors come into play, including residency timelines, language requirements, investment thresholds, and bureaucratic efficiency. Portugal, Ireland, and Malta consistently rank among the most accessible options for Americans seeking European citizenship.

Portugal's golden visa offers a straightforward pathway to citizenship by naturalisation after five years, with minimal physical presence requirements and a relatively accessible investment threshold. Ireland's citizenship by descent program is exceptionally generous for those with Irish grandparents, while Malta's citizenship by investment provides the fastest direct route to EU citizenship for high-net-worth individuals.

Other popular EU countries, such as Greece and Spain, offer attractive residency programs but require longer naturalisation periods and more stringent language and integration requirements. Ultimately, the easiest pathway depends on your individual circumstances, including your ancestry, financial capacity, and willingness to commit time to residency.

What Is the Application Process for EU Citizenship by Investment?

The application process for citizenship by investment in countries like Malta involves several stages, beginning with the selection of an accredited agent, completion of due diligence forms, and preparation of supporting documentation. Applicants must demonstrate the legal source of their funds, provide police clearance certificates, undergo health screenings, and make the required financial contributions.

Once the initial application is submitted, the government conducts a rigorous four-tier due diligence process, reviewing the applicant's financial history, criminal record, and overall suitability. Upon approval, applicants must fulfil residency requirements, ranging from 12 to 36 months, and take an oath of allegiance before receiving their citizenship certificate and EU passport.

The entire process typically takes 12 to 36 months, depending on the chosen contribution level and the efficiency of document preparation. Working with experienced advisors like Marlow Bray ensures that every stage is managed professionally, minimising delays and maximising the likelihood of approval.

Conclusion: Key Takeaways for Americans Seeking EU Citizenship

- Multiple pathways exist: Citizenship by investment, citizenship by descent, citizenship by marriage, and citizenship by naturalisation each offer distinct advantages and timelines.
- Golden visa programs are not citizenship programs: They grant residency and a pathway to eventual naturalisation, but do not confer immediate citizenship.
- Citizenship by descent is highly cost-effective: Americans with European ancestry should explore Irish, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, or Spanish citizenship by descent.
- Many EU countries allow dual citizenship: Ireland, Italy, Portugal, and Greece permit Americans to retain U.S. citizenship while acquiring European citizenship.
- Naturalisation requires long-term residency: Expect five to ten years of legal residency, language proficiency, and integration before eligibility.
- Expert guidance is essential: Navigating the complexities of European citizenship requires tailored advice, meticulous documentation, and strategic planning.

At Marlow Bray, we specialise in guiding American families through every stage of the EU citizenship journey. Whether you are exploring citizenship by investment, citizenship by descent, or residency-based naturalisation, our team provides the clarity, discretion, and expertise you need to make confident, informed decisions. Contact us today to begin your pathway to European citizenship.