Eurostat has released data on the naturalization of foreigners in EU countries for 2024—the number of new citizens reached 1.2 million, and the leaders in terms of both absolute and relative figures vary significantly. The time required to obtain a passport ranges from 14 months in Malta to 10 years in Italy and Spain. Learn more about naturalization rates in EU countries, the nationalities most likely to obtain European passports, and naturalization requirements in individual EU member states

Obtaining a passport from one of the European Union member states remains one of the most popular migration goals for third-country nationals. Over the past decade, the number of naturalizations within the bloc has increased significantly, while substantial differences persist among member states—both in terms of absolute numbers and the pace at which citizenship is granted. Euronews recently reported on this.

How many times has the number of issued EU passports grown, which countries in the bloc are most active in accepting new citizens, citizens of which countries are more likely than others to obtain European passports, and what requirements do individual countries impose on applicants—we’ll cover all this in the article below.

Planning to obtain citizenship in one of the EU countries but don’t know where to start?

The migration guide from the Visit World portal contains up-to-date naturalization requirements, residency periods, and a list of documents for specific countries.

Naturalization Trends in the EU: Decade-by-Decade Statistics

Eurostat reports a steady increase in the number of foreigners obtaining citizenship in European Union countries. In 2014, European governments issued passports to third-country nationals and citizens of other EU member states 762,000 times. In 2024, this figure reached 1.2 million—54% more than a decade ago, and approximately 12% more compared to 2023.

Non-EU nationals dominate among recipients of European citizenship: they account for 88% of all new passports. Another 11% are citizens of one of the 27 member states who moved to another EU country and were naturalized there. This distribution indicates that third countries remain the primary source of new Europeans, rather than internal mobility within the Union itself.

Ranking of EU countries by foreigner naturalization rate

The naturalization rate is the ratio of the number of new citizenships to the total number of foreigners residing in the country. Sweden is the clear leader in the EU by this metric: there are 7.55 new citizenships for every 100 foreign residents. This is more than double the EU average, which stands at 2.73.

The top ten in terms of naturalization rates also include Norway (4.34), Italy (4.14), Spain (3.88), the Netherlands (3.87), Poland (3.74), Belgium (3.68), Finland (3.1), and Ireland (2.94). At the opposite end of the ranking are Lithuania, Bulgaria, and Estonia, where the proportion of foreigners becoming citizens each year remains the lowest among member states.

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Absolute leaders in the number of passports issued

Naturalization rates and absolute numbers of passports issued are two different things. In terms of the total number of new citizens in 2024, Germany takes first place: approximately 300,000 people were naturalized there, accounting for roughly a quarter of the total across the European Union.

Spain ranks second in absolute terms, with about 250,000 new citizenships. Italy rounds out the top three with 217,000 passports issued. This distribution is explained by the large foreign populations in these countries—with significant migration volumes, even a moderate level of naturalization results in hundreds of thousands of new Europeans each year.

Citizens of Which Countries Most Often Receive EU Passports

The composition of European passport recipients reflects the key migration flows into the Union. In 2024, Syrians became the largest group—over 110,000 people obtained citizenship in one of the EU countries. Moroccans came in second with approximately 97,000 naturalizations.

Albanians took third place (48,000), followed by Turkish citizens, of whom just over 40,000 became Europeans in 2024. Romanians ranked fifth—with about 40,000 naturalizations, this is the largest group among migrants moving from one EU country to another. The top ten also included Venezuelans, Ukrainians, Indians, Russians, and Brazilians.

Basic Conditions for Obtaining EU Citizenship

There is no single rule for naturalization within the European Union. Each member state independently sets residency periods, language and integration requirements, as well as financial criteria for applicants. On average, applying for citizenship requires about five years of legal residency, though actual timeframes range from a few months to a decade.

In addition to the residency period, most countries require applicants to demonstrate proficiency in the national language at a certain level, pass a test on history, culture, and legislation, and provide proof of stable income and a clean criminal record. Processing times also vary significantly—from a few months in some countries to over two years in others.

The fastest paths to a European passport: Poland, Malta, Spain, and Sweden

Poland—one of the EU’s fastest-growing economies—offers naturalization after just three years of continuous residence, provided the applicant has a stable income. This is one of the shortest standard periods in the bloc without additional investment requirements. Malta allows you to obtain citizenship in 14 months, though this option is available only if you invest at least 600,000 euros in the local economy. For other applicants, Malta has a standard five-year period.

Some countries offer expedited pathways based on the applicant’s citizenship. In Spain, the standard period is 10 years, but for nationals of Latin American countries—specifically Argentinians, Mexicans, Brazilians, and Costa Ricans—only two years of residence are required.

The same conditions apply to citizens of Portugal, Andorra, the Philippines, and Equatorial Guinea. Sweden applies a geographical principle: for citizens of other Northern European countries, two years of continuous residence is sufficient, while for other foreigners, the standard period is five years.

Tightening of naturalization rules: Germany, the UK, and Italy

In October 2025, Germany abolished the Turboeinbürgerung accelerated naturalization program, which allowed highly qualified professionals to obtain a passport faster than the standard period. Now the basic requirement is five years of residence, plus German language proficiency at the B1 level, passing a citizenship test, and proof of financial stability.

A similar policy is followed by the UK: applicants must have lived in the country for at least five years, although the government is already considering extending this period to ten years. Additionally, applicants must pass the Life in the UK test, which covers British history, culture, government, and legislation; demonstrate English language proficiency; and prove they have no recent or serious criminal convictions. Italy—despite ranking second in the EU for naturalization rates—maintains one of the strictest procedures. Third-country nationals typically must wait 10 years before applying, whereas citizens of other EU countries need only four years. Even after submitting documents, the review process can take up to 24 months, and in some cases, up to 36.

How to prepare for naturalization in the EU?

Each EU country has its own naturalization rules, language requirements, processing times, and list of grounds for applying. Choosing the wrong program or failing to meet the requirements can delay obtaining a passport for years. To move toward European citizenship with a clear plan, use the specialized migration guide from the Visit World portal. It contains step-by-step instructions on legalization, lists of required documents, processing times, and the nuances of procedures in specific EU countries.

Reminder! Golden Visas remain one of the fastest ways to obtain a residence permit in Europe in 2026. Countries that still offer investment programs — in this article.

Photo: Freepik

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