Citizenship is a subjective right of a person, the essence of which lies in the stable political and legal relationship of a person with the state, on the basis of which mutual legal relations arise between them. The status of a citizen establishes that a person belongs to a particular state, whereby the state guarantees the protection of the constitutional rights and freedoms of its citizens on the territory of the country and abroad.
Citizenship is the main and most significant element of a person's legal status.
Having received the citizenship of the country, a person simultaneously acquires additional rights and privileges, since, even with a residence permit, the rights of an emigrant are limited in comparison with the freedoms of citizens.
Being a citizen of a state in Europe means fully enjoying its benefits, from social security to the opportunity to run for office (suffrage is available only to citizens).
To attract highly qualified personnel, many countries in Europe are developing special immigration programs that facilitate the process of legalization of foreigners.
Before making a final decision about the future homeland, the first thing to do is to study in detail the features of obtaining citizenship in the powers in question in Europe and choose the one whose citizenship is easiest for a Russian to obtain.
Options for obtaining citizenship status in another country
Before deciding which country is easiest for a resident of Russia to become a citizen of, it is necessary to study the best ways to acquire the status of a citizen.
Ways to get a passport in Europe:
- according to the principle of soil. According to the principle of land or soil, citizenship of a country can be obtained on the basis of the fact of birth in its territory;
- on the principle of blood. According to the principle of blood, a person who has relatives (spouse, wife, children, parents) in this country can become a citizen of another country and obtain a passport. The purpose of the move is family reunification;
- when concluding an official marriage with a citizen of the country, you can obtain the status of a citizen;
- on religious grounds;
- upon naturalization. You need to live in the country for several years and meet all the requirements for obtaining a passport;
- Citizenship may be conferred on a person for merit determined by law.
Citizen status in exchange for financial investments in Europe
One of the easiest and fastest ways to obtain citizenship of another country is economic migration. This concept refers to the acquisition of citizenship in exchange for large financial investments in the economy of a foreign state.
The list of states in Europe and America, where it is easier to acquire citizenship for an investment contribution:
- Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis.
The country's government has launched a new migration project, according to which you can easily become a citizen of the monarchy for a certain amount. At the same time, the size of the investment directly depends on the number of people who want to move to the country. If there is only one applicant, the deposit amount is 250 thousand dollars. In the event that a candidate for citizenship wants to transport with him children (children) not older than 18 years old who are dependent on him (no more than 3 persons), he must pay 300 thousand dollars. When six people immigrate (including the applicant), the amount of investment must be at least 350 thousand dollars. For the emigration of 7 persons (including the applicant), it is necessary to issue a financial contribution in the amount of 400 thousand dollars;
- Cyprus.
To acquire citizenship of one of the most desirable countries in Europe, it is necessary to invest in the economic development of the country from three to five million euros. The amount of the contribution depends on the method of investment;
- Republic of Malta.
To become a citizen of one of the most populous countries in Europe, an expat must invest or donate funds. The size of the investment contribution must be at least 650 thousand dollars, 500 thousand dollars is enough for a donation. The distribution of donations is carried out in the following way: 300 thousand - for the development of the complex, real estate objects located on the territory of the state, 150 thousand - in government bonds;
- Republic of Bulgaria.
You can become a citizen of a country that is called a bridge between Europe and Asia by completing all the requirements of a two-step procedure. First, an emigrant must obtain a residence permit by investing at least 515 thousand euros in state securities, after which a year later you can count on acquiring the status of a Bulgarian citizen by additionally making an investment deposit equal to the previous one;
- Belize (formerly British Honduras).
The size of the mandatory deposit is small compared to the investment requirements of other states (from 45 to 50 thousand dollars). The amount depends on the number of persons wishing to obtain citizenship of a given country in Central America;
- Canada.
To become a citizen of Canada, you need to deposit an amount of 240 thousand dollars. and more.
Important! Whatever capital is invested, it is non-refundable, and the investor is not entitled to expect to receive dividends.
Where in Europe and Latin America is it easiest to obtain a residence permit through the purchase of housing
An obligatory link on the way to obtaining citizenship in many countries is the acquisition of a residence permit. The duration of the procedure for obtaining citizenship directly depends on the conditions for issuing this document. Before getting acquainted with the process of acquiring citizenship of a foreign state, find out how to apply for a residence permit in it.
The list of countries in which it is easiest to quickly obtain a residence permit through the purchase of housing:
- Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis.
The smallest country in the Western Hemisphere is famous for the fastest and most undemanding immigration policy. To legalize in the federation and obtain a residence permit, it is enough to purchase housing, the price of which will be at least 400 thousand dollars, and pay a tax fee, the amount of which depends on the value of the property. Buying real estate opens up additional horizons - the ability to freely travel through the countries of the Schengen area (Lithuania, Poland, Austria, Sweden and others), as well as to Canada, the UK and Ireland.
Given the fact that St. Kitts is a member of the British Commonwealth, persons legally residing on the territory of the island state and being its citizens have the right to freely receive education in English universities. It does not require a visa. After graduating from an educational institution, such graduates can freely work and live in England for two years. It is possible to obtain citizenship of the federation of Saint Christopher and Nevis directly in Moscow;
- Spain (EU member).
To become a happy owner of a residence permit in the Kingdom of Spain, the cost of purchased housing must be at least 160 thousand euros. Citizenship of the country can be obtained after 15 years. The second condition for acquiring Spanish citizenship is to stay in the territory of the Kingdom for at least six consecutive months;
- Portugal (EU member).
To obtain a residence permit in this country, you need to buy a house for at least 500 thousand euros. Before obtaining the status of a Portuguese citizen, you will have to wait another 6 years. After the expiration of the established period, a candidate for citizenship has the right to apply for its acquisition. With a residence permit, it is possible to freely travel around the countries of the Schengen zone;
- Panama.
To settle in a country that connects South and North America, you need to buy housing, the cost of which will be at least 300 thousand dollars. The owner of a Panamanian passport can only become after 5 years of permanent residence in the country. Visiting the Schengen states, Latin America and the island countries of the Caribbean does not require Panamanian citizenship, it is enough to have a legally issued residence permit;
- Latvia (member of the European Union).
The requirements for the cost of housing for obtaining a residence permit in Latvia depend on the location of the property. For example, in Jurmala and Riga, about 140 thousand euros will be required to purchase a home, in more remote regions of the country - from 72 thousand. The material confirming the residence permit is issued to the owner of the housing directly at the time of submission of title documents for the acquired property.
A residence permit entitles a person to legally reside in the territory of Latvia for 5 years, at the end of this period it is possible to extend the validity of the document (provided that the ownership of real estate remains unchanged). You can become a citizen of Latvia in ten years. There is no question of permanent residence in the territory of the state in order to obtain a Latvian passport.
Photo review of countries with easy citizenship
In conclusion, we can add that there are a number of states in Europe with a very strict migration policy and high requirements for persons wishing to obtain a residence permit. The countries in which it is most difficult to obtain a residence permit include Sweden, Austria, Malta, and Denmark. Most of these states put forward quite serious requirements for applicants, complicating the process of obtaining a residence permit and citizenship.
The reason for moving can be work motives, when an employee has the right to issue a residence permit, whose qualifications and professionalism are so high that the government will create all conditions for his emigration.
