Buy EU Citizenship: What You Should Know

Buying EU citizenship can cost between €100,000 and €2,000,000, depending on the country and investment type.

First published: Oct 3, 2026
4 min read

real estate agent presenting investment options — Exploring property investment for EU citizenship options.

Navigate What You Get with EU Citizenship · How to Get EU Citizenship: Steps, Costs, and Timelines · Risks, Limitations, and Guarantees · Good to know · Sources and further reading

What You Get with EU Citizenship

Right to live, work, and study in any EU country

EU citizenship allows free movement and access to employment, education, and healthcare across all 27 member states [1].

Consular protection and voting rights

You gain access to consular assistance from any EU embassy worldwide and the right to vote in local and European elections [1].

Dual citizenship eligibility

Some EU countries, like Italy and Germany, permit dual citizenship under specific conditions, such as marriage or long-term residency [4, 6, 7, 15].

Family inclusion options

Programs like Malta’s allow adding a spouse and dependents for additional fees, starting at €25,000 per person [2].

Long-term residency flexibility

Naturalisation often requires 5–10 years of legal residency, with exceptions for spouses of citizens or high-net-worth investors [5, 6, 7, 8].

How to Get EU Citizenship: Steps, Costs, and Timelines

How to qualify for EU citizenship by investment
Malta’s program requires a €650,000 non-refundable contribution, plus €25,000 for a spouse and €25,000–€50,000 per dependent. A €700,000 property purchase or €16,000 annual rent for 5 years is mandatory. A €10,000 NGO donation is also required (2) (3). The ECJ ruled Malta’s scheme contrary to EU law in 2025 (4).
How to qualify for EU citizenship by marriage
Italy grants citizenship to foreign spouses after 2 years of legal residency (1 year with children). Germany allows naturalisation after 3 years of residency if married for at least 2 years (5) (6).
How to qualify for EU citizenship by naturalisation
Most EU countries require 5–10 years of legal residency. Residency must be continuous, with absences of up to 6 consecutive months or 10 months total not interrupting the period (7).
What to check before applying
Verify if the country requires renouncing previous citizenship. 9 EU countries mandate this as of 2025 (8). Confirm investment or residency requirements are still valid (9).
How long it takes and what you get
Investment-based programs may process applications in 12–24 months. Naturalisation typically takes 5–10 years. EU citizenship grants the right to live, work, and study in any EU country (1).

Risks, Limitations, and Guarantees

Obtaining EU citizenship through investment comes with various risks and limitations. One major concern is the legal uncertainty surrounding programs like Malta’s, which the European Court of Justice ruled as contrary to EU law in 2025. This raises questions about the future validity of such citizenship (4).

Financial commitments are substantial. For Malta’s program, the initial non-refundable contribution is €650,000, along with property investment requirements (2) (3). Hidden costs may arise, such as additional fees for dependents and mandatory donations to NGOs (3).

Before proceeding, verify the specific requirements of the country, as conditions can vary. For instance, some EU nations require applicants to renounce their previous nationality, which affects 9 countries as of 2025 (8).

Additionally, residency must be continuous; absences beyond a certain limit can interrupt the naturalization process (7).

If you decide to withdraw from an application, understanding the cancellation policy is crucial. Most investment fees are non-refundable, making it essential to conduct thorough research before committing.

In summary, potential applicants should carefully weigh these risks and limitations against the benefits of EU citizenship.

Good to know

How much does EU citizenship cost?

Malta’s Citizenship by Naturalisation for Exceptional Services by Direct Investment starts at €650,000 non-refundable for the main applicant. Additional costs include €25,000 for a spouse, €25,000–€50,000 per dependent, and a €10,000 NGO donation (2) (3). Property purchase (€700,000) or annual rent (€16,000) for 5 years is mandatory (3).

Which country offers the cheapest citizenship by investment in the world?

Malta’s program is among the most affordable in the EU, with a minimum €650,000 non-refundable contribution (2). Bulgaria requires at least €1 million for fast-track citizenship (10).

Which country is the easiest for Americans to get citizenship in?

Italy offers citizenship to foreign spouses of Italian citizens after 2 years of legal residency (1 year with children) (5). Germany allows naturalisation after 3 years of residency if married to a German citizen for at least 2 years (6).

Which country gives the fastest citizenship?

Malta’s investment program processes applications in 12–24 months, though the ECJ ruled it contrary to EU law in 2025 (2) (4). Bulgaria’s fast-track program for €1 million investments also offers expedited processing (10).

Is it possible to get EU citizenship by purchasing real estate?

Cyprus previously offered citizenship for a €2 million real estate purchase, but the program was suspended in 2020 (10). Malta requires property purchase (€700,000) or rent (€16,000/year) as part of its investment program (3).

Fastest citizenship in Europe by marriage

Italy grants citizenship to foreign spouses after 2 years of legal residency (1 year with children) (5). Germany allows naturalisation after 3 years of residency if married for at least 2 years (6).