Job Discussion Forums

[naturegirl321]

I want to get dual citizenship. Especially now that the EU is getting bigger. Does anyone know how long it takes to get citienship? Or if there is a website that lists how long it takes for each country?

[Communist Smurf]

This almost sounds like a marriage proposal.

No need to correct me should I be mistaken.

Best wishes,
CS

[Lucy Snow]

Every country has different requirements for granting citizenship. Your best bet would be to look at the embassy websites for the countries where you think you'd be eligible. From what I've read, it's easiest for Ireland--not so easy for countries like Germany or Poland.

[naturegirl321]

Whoops, sorry didn't want it to be like a marriage proposal, I'm way too young for that now!

[grahamb]

Naturegirl, if you've got any European grandparents, you may have a chance. A Chilean friend of mine has dual nationality on the strength of her Italian granny.
Failing that, write me a cheque for �1000 and we'll get hitched!

[joe-joe]

It is possible to get EU citizenship; I can vouch that Ireland is straightforward enough, (I don't know which country your proposing to try and get citizenship for). To get an Irish passport either one of my parents or grandparents had to be born in Ireland. I needed copies of my father's birth certificates and marriage certificate to my mother, a signed passport photo to say it was me in the picture, (note this was done by a stand-in doctor working at my local clinic whom I had never met before, and for a fee of 10 pounds!). It wasn't so difficult, but it will vary from country to country. I also had a New Zealand friend who obtained an Irish passport through his grandmother.

[naturegirl321]

Just missed getting Irish citizenship. My great grandma was born there
Oh well, maybe I'm meant to only have one citizenship.

[grahamb]

Okay Naturegirl, seeing as it's the festive season, I'll accept �500.
Damn, how do you operate those emoticons?

[scot47]

Be careful. Under the current British Nationality Law, marriage to a UK citizen does NOT confer citizenship. There is also a residence requirement !

[naturegirl321]

[grahamb]

Scot47, I believe it's a minimum of two years' cohabitation. Sounds like a prison sentence!
Naturegirl, offer withdrawn! Nothing personal. :wink:
You see, I still haven't got the hang of those emoticons.

[ejw]

Sometimes I get tickled by these entries about "EU citizenship". It isn't exactly like getting a driver's license.

I live in Sweden and to get residency here finding a boyfriend to cohabit with is the best bet. (Don't need to marry.) It may or may not be similar in other EU countries. Once you get permanent residency you can apply for citizenship.

If you have lived in Sweden two years they cannot kick you out if you have residency. With residency established, file for citizenship and wait another year. You have to be able to prove that you can support yourself or that someone else can and that you are not going to be a burden on our social welfare system. You don't need to speak Swedish by the way. Realistically speaking it would take 4 years here to get citizenship.

I imagine that the UK would be your best bet anyway, because you are more likely to be able to get a job there (any job) as a native English speaker. Forget Scandinavia. I am fluent in Swedish and am still passed over for Swedes in the market place so even if you get citizenship in some EU country, it does not mean you will be able to get work there. Don't want to sound negative, but that is just how it is. And, you have to find a willing guy! Is it worth the hassle?

Good luck
EJW

[bjamesw]

I'm currently a U.S. citizen living in Michigan. A few have now weighed in on their experiences with dual citizenship. After a few emails exchanged with the Polish embassy, I think I may be eligible.

To what extent does gaining citizenship in any of the EU countries confer all rights and privileges and, as well, submit one to taxes, responsibilities, and duties to the state? I know it differs; but what are your experiences? I would like to think it is wise to have dual citizenship and the papers in hand "just in case" - If job opportunities were presented, or if vacations and travel were available to me in the future. But I wonder if, on balance, there may be unforeseen liabilities?

Can anyone tell me where to get this sort of information? I know I could get all these details eventually from the Polish consulate, but I'd prefer to hear from others who have dealt personally with the realities of dual citizenship.
Thanks for any help on this.

[krispypan]

As far as i can tell there are no major tax implications with holding dual citizenship unless you are earning in both countries. The American tax sytem does request that you file tax returns every year even if you are not living in the states.
As to the ealier comment on Irish citizenship it has become much more difficult, especially for post-nuptual citizenship...

[spiral78]

If you're male and at the correct age, you could possibly be liable for mandatory military duty in your 'new' country - I know a couple of people who had to do some legal maneuvering to avoid this little hiccup.....but generally, there are some residency rules. In the Czech Republic, for example, it's five years of continuous residency in the country after the marraige. Of course, citizens of the new EU countries don't yet have work priviledges in the "old" EU overall - each country makes it's own rules. Long term it should work out, but in the short term, marraige isn't going to help much anyway.