European Citizenship & Residency News
English briefings for the European citizenship and residency tracks hosted on Prep2Go.
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French Presidential Elections 2027: Candidates' Stances on Visas and Residency
French presidential candidates for the 2027 elections are proposing diverse immigration policies, ranging from stricter visa and residency requirements to simplified procedures for skilled professionals and students. The Local France has compared these proposals, which could impact your status in France.
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AIMA Opens Early Online Residence Permit Renewals for Documents Expiring by January 31, 2027
Portugal's Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA) has expanded the early online renewal window for Residence Permits. Applicants whose documents expire by January 31, 2027, can now submit their renewal applications online, avoiding last-minute rushes and office queues.
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Cyprus Police Arrest 11 for Unauthorized Residence in Overnight Operations
Cyprus police conducted extensive overnight operations, arresting 11 individuals for unauthorized residence. The crackdown involved checking 1078 people and 857 vehicles, signaling increased scrutiny of immigration status. Authorities emphasize that valid documents and matching registered addresses are crucial to avoid
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The Portugal News Weekly Digest: Immigration and Tourism Updates
The Portugal News publishes a weekly digest covering key developments in Portuguese immigration and tourism. This overview is useful for those planning to relocate or already residing in Portugal, offering insights into visa updates, residency rules, and administrative changes.
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New Loja do Cidadão in Ferreira do Zêzere: €1.75M Investment Consolidates Public Services
A new Loja do Cidadão (Citizen's Shop) has opened in Ferreira do Zêzere, Portugal, backed by a €1.75 million investment. This center consolidates essential public services like document processing, registration, and tax matters, offering a convenient, single-location solution for residents, including new arrivals, redu
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Norway to Reduce Refugee Quota to 8,680 in 2027, Lowest Level Since 2022
Norway plans to accept 8,680 refugees in 2027, a reduction of approximately 2,000 from the current year's estimated 10,680. This marks the lowest intake level since 2022, with some municipalities now having the option to decline new arrivals, tightening overall capacity.
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Norway: 5,000 Foreign Nationals Departed or Deported Last Year, UDI Data Shows
Norway's Directorate of Immigration (UDI) reported that 5,000 foreign nationals either left or were deported from the country last year. This figure encompasses both voluntary departures and forced removals, highlighting the importance of maintaining valid residency status.
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Italy Sees Rise in Student and Family Residency Permits, Fewer Citizenship Applications in 2025
In 2025, Italy issued significantly more residency permits, particularly for students and family members. Conversely, applications for Italian citizenship, especially those based on descent (*jure sanguinis*), saw a notable decrease.
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Germany's Immigration Debate: Focus Shifts from Entry to Retention of Skilled Workers
Social researcher Andreas Hertox highlights in The Local that Germany's political focus on illegal immigration overlooks a more critical issue: the loss of skilled professionals. The real challenge isn't who arrives, but retaining those already contributing to the economy.
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Madrid Housing Protests Mark One Month, Highlight Crisis Ahead of November Elections
A month-long protest camp in Madrid highlights Spain's housing crisis, with high rents and limited supply affecting both residents and prospective expats. The issue has become a central theme ahead of Spain's November elections, signaling potential policy changes for affordable housing.
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Portugal Golden Visa: Permanent Residency After 5 Years Offers Investment Flexibility
Golden Visa holders in Portugal can apply for Permanent Residency after five years of legal stay. Crucially, once PR is granted, the initial qualifying investment is no longer required, allowing investors to sell assets or withdraw capital without impacting their residency status.
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Norway's Healthcare System Critically Relies on Immigrant Workers Amid Staff Shortages
Norway faces a growing shortage of healthcare professionals, with new data confirming that immigrant workers are crucial to maintaining the system. While strict qualification recognition remains a barrier, foreign specialists are indispensable, as reported by The Local.
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Norway Forecasts 2,000 Fewer Refugees in 2027, Potentially Impacting Application Processing
Norway projects a reduction of approximately 2,000 refugees in 2027, according to a report by The Local. This forecast could lead to a reallocation of resources towards integration programs and may influence application processing times for other immigration categories.
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Danish Immigration Portal Ny i Danmark Temporarily Down (Oct 22-23, 2026)
The official Danish immigration website, Ny i Danmark, was inaccessible on October 22-23, 2026, affecting visa and residency applications. The Ministry of Immigration and Integration confirmed the outage, which may cause delays for applicants.
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Swedish Media Underreported Immigration Policy Changes Under Tidö Government
The Local reports that Swedish media largely overlooked significant tightening of immigration policies by the Tidö government. This created an information gap for applicants, as new rules for visas, work permits, and residency went largely unnoticed by the public.
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Navigating Germany's Five Tax Numbers: Which Ones Do You Need?
Germany has five distinct tax numbers, each serving a specific purpose. While new residents may only need one, freelancers and business owners will require several. Understand which German tax IDs are essential for your situation to avoid delays and penalties.
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Airbnb Updates Cleaning Rules for Netherlands Hosts, Effective November 2026
Airbnb is implementing new rules for hosts in the Netherlands, effective November 20, 2026. Guests will no longer be required to perform cleaning tasks like washing dishes or stripping beds, as these responsibilities will fall solely on hosts and be covered by the cleaning fee.
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Austria Introduces €500 Child Bonus: Eligibility Depends on Residency and Tax Status
Austria is launching a €500 child bonus as an initial state contribution through an investment scheme. However, eligibility for foreign families hinges on their residency and tax status, requiring careful verification before application.