[browser]

I would like some clarification on what types of residence count for years of residency required before being able to claim citizenship in a European country. I was informed that the years spent using the 'Poland loophole' or residence allowed as a result from purchasing property both do not count in the _ years it takes to gain citizenship. What types of residency do count? Just student visas, working visas, and years spent married?

A list found from 2009 for citizenship requirements in terms of years of residency:


Austria: A permanent residence in the country during 10 years is required. Dual citizenship is NOT allowed.
Belgium: requires 5 years of residence, dual citizenship is allowed.
Bulgaria: 5 years of residence, dual citizenship is NOT allowed.
Cyprus: 5 accumulated years of residence in the last 8 years period, dual citizenship allowed.
Czech Republic: 5 years of residence, dual citizenship is NOT allowed.
Denmark: 9 years of residence, dual citizenship is NOT allowed.
Estonia: 5 years of residence, dual citizenship is NOT allowed.
Finland: 6 years of residence, dual citizenship is allowed.
France: 5 years of residence, dual citizenship is allowed.
Germany: 8 years of residence, can be reduced to 7 or even 6 with integration and language courses. Dual citizenship is NOT allowed. [Not fully accurate, it's allowed for EU countries and there are exceptions. This might also be subject to change under the new government.]
Greece: 10 years, dual citizenship is allowed.
Hungary: 8 years, dual citizenship is allowed.
Iceland: 7 years, dual citizenship is allowed.
Ireland: Permanent residence in the country during 5 out of 9 years is required. You must be a resident during the year before applying [thanks Vijay Sankaran]. Dual citizenship is allowed.
Italy: 10 years of residence, dual citizenship is allowed.
Latvia: 5 years of residence, dual citizenship is NOT allowed.
Lithuania: 10 years of residence are required. Dual citizenship is NOT allowed.
Luxembourg: 10 years of residence, dual citizenship is NOT allowed.
Malta: 5 years of permanent residence (usually following 5 years of temporary residence as noted by Bence Zakonyi), dual citizenship is allowed.
Netherlands: 5 years of residence, dual citizenship is NOT allowed [exceptions are common as noted by Jeannine van der Linden].
Norway: 7 of the last 10 years, dual citizenship is NOT allowed.
Poland: 5 years of residence, dual citizenship is NOT allowed.
Portugal: 6 years of residence, dual citizenship is allowed.
Romania: 5 years of residence, dual citizenship is allowed.
Slovakia: 8 years of residence are required. Dual citizenship is NOT
allowed any more [thanks Zuzana Soročinová].
Slovenia: 10 years of residence, dual citizenship is allowed.
Spain: 10 years of residence are required. This requirement can be reduced to 2 years (but not waived) in case of nationals from a former colony of Spain (it covers a number of Latin American countries and the
Philippines). Dual citizenship is allowed.
Sweden: 5 years of residence, dual citizenship is allowed.
Switzerland: 12 years of residence (time between age 10 and 20 counts twice), dual citizenship is allowed.
United Kingdom: 5 years of residence, dual citizenship is allowed. Paradoxically, 6 years for EU/EEA citizens - and everyone not free of "immigration time restrictions" 12 months prior to applying. [thanks Ashley Connor]

[RogerThat]

I know the UK scheme has changed as I couldn't say there after my MSc as the Cameron gov cancelled the Tier 4 Post Study Work Permit Visa in 2012. Your stay as a student does NOT count towards the length of stay requirement. Browser - where are you from?

[Strelka]

I'm quite sure that in Germany after working for 5 years with a normal work visa arrangement, and perhaps even less I've heard with a certain language level, you can apply for Niederlassungserlaubnis or residency.

Also, there is the EU Blue Card which is avaliable in many EU countries but that is for "shortage" professions and there are some pre-requisites that must first be met. For example, if you live and are in Germany (or the EU) for 33 months you can then apply for residency in Germany or you can also apply after 21 months if you have B1 level German. You need to be inside of the country for that many months and living though to apply. Also avaliable for other countries, just have a look on Google for the specifics as far as salary, professions etc.

[Orson]

It isn't Europe, but people who have gained citizenship in Argentina say two years. However, it often depends upon the judge who reviews your residency. Many are remiss in following the two-year rule! Fortunately, by choosing the correct lawyer, its can be done in two.

I believe this factor is important to gaining citizenship in almost all Latin American nations (it applies to DR, Panama, and Costa Rica, I know). But does it matter with Iberian nations? Mediterranean nations, too?

[bumborass]

bumping an old thread, but due to my work (defense contractor for a US company) I've been considering taking up residency in Malta during my time off...

The program I would be using is called the Global Residence Program. If you're looking to expatriate in the EU, this sounds like it's worth the consideration

just google global residence program Malta

I have never been to Malta btw