European countries easiest to obtain citizenship in
European countries easiest to obtain citizenship in (Getty Images)
Obtaining citizenship in most European countries is a challenging process, taking anywhere from 5 to 10 years. However, in some countries, this process is streamlined, with a relatively low rate of rejections each year, according to data from the Canadian Immigration Agency CanadaCIS.
At the top of the list is Sweden. According to the research covering the period from 2009 to 2021, Sweden has become the most favorable country for granting citizenship, regardless of EU membership.
About one in ten applicants receives approval in Sweden, with high acceptance rates for both men and women.
Following Sweden on the list are the Netherlands, Iceland, and Portugal. In Portugal, citizenship is acquired by 6.6% of residents from third-world countries, meaning one in three out of 50 applicants becomes a Portuguese passport holder. In other countries, the average rate is around 4% (more than one applicant out of 25).
The study also highlights countries where immigrants from third-world countries find it most challenging to obtain citizenship. Turns out, Estonia grants citizenship to only 0.5% of applicants.
Men face more rejections than women in passport applications. It is particularly challenging to become a citizen of Latvia, Lithuania, or the Czech Republic. Denmark poses the greatest difficulty in obtaining citizenship.
Austria, Liechtenstein, and Slovakia also present challenges, followed by Slovenia and Germany, where less than 1 person out of 50 applicants (2%) successfully attains citizenship.
