European Citizenship & Residency News
English briefings for the European citizenship and residency tracks hosted on Prep2Go.
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Financial Planning for Portugal: Start 6-12 Months Before Your Move
Many focus on visas and housing for Portugal, but financial planning is equally critical and often delayed. The Portugal News advises starting 6-12 months in advance to navigate taxes, NHR, banking, and cost of living, preventing stress upon arrival.
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Portugal's Golden Visa Program Sees Record Permits in 2025, But AIMA Withholds Investment Data
Portugal issued a record 2,685 Golden Visas (ARI) in 2025, with US citizens leading for the fourth consecutive year. However, the Agency for Integration, Migration, and Asylum (AIMA) has ceased publishing the total investment volume attracted by the program.
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Monthly update on August 2026: Scandinavia immigration — deportation rules, Danish citizenship delay, Brexit residency checks
August 2026 brought concrete legal shifts across the Nordic region: Sweden's tougher deportation rules take effect September 1, Denmark confirmed its new citizenship law will not be voted on before October 2027 (with ~14,000 applicants in the queue), and Sweden's
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Estonia's Interior Minister Confirms Rise in Illegal Immigration, Extends Border Control on Latvia-Belarus Border
Estonian Interior Minister Igor Taro has confirmed an increase in illegal immigration. In response, Estonia is extending the rotation of border guard units on the Latvia-Belarus border, leading to heightened checks for all travelers.
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Police Search Vienna's MA 35 Office Amid Employee Investigation
On September 23, 2026, police searched an office at Vienna's MA 35 immigration and citizenship department. The investigation concerns allegations of illicit gain against an employee, but specific details remain undisclosed.
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Austria Issued 45,500 First-Time Residence Permits in 2025: Family, Study, Work Lead
In 2025, Austria granted approximately 45,500 initial residence permits to non-EU citizens. The top three routes were family reunification, student permits, and skilled worker visas, reflecting key pathways for international applicants.
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Swedish Residence Permit Holders: Migrationsverket Warns of Potential Re-entry Issues After Travel
A Canadian woman with a valid Swedish residence permit was warned by Migrationsverket that she might be denied re-entry after a trip outside the Schengen area. This case, reported by The Local, underscores that even a valid permit doesn't always guarantee seamless return to Sweden.
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Finding Free or Subsidized Italian Language Lessons in Italy for New Residents
New residents in Italy can access free or low-cost Italian language lessons through local municipalities, cultural centers, and non-profit organizations. These integration programs are available across various regions, requiring direct inquiry with local authorities to find current offerings.
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Germany Tightens Welfare Checks, EU Citizens to See Impact First
Germany's government has approved new measures to combat organized welfare fraud. By the end of the year, checks will be intensified and rules tightened, particularly affecting EU citizens applying for or receiving social benefits.
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Spain's Foreign Resident Population Nears 8 Million, Immigration Office Reports
Spain's immigration office reports nearly 8 million foreign residents with valid permits, including those who obtained NIE or TIE. This growth impacts housing and services, and suggests potential for longer processing times at extranjería offices.
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Netherlands Revokes 70 Residence Permits Over National Security Concerns in 10 Years
Over the past decade, the Dutch Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) has revoked the residence permits of approximately 70 individuals deemed a threat to national security. For those with dual citizenship, Dutch passports were also confiscated, according to a Nieuwsuur investigation.
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Brazilians Account for Nearly One-Third of Portugal's Immigrant Population, AIMA Reports
New data from Portugal's Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA) reveals that Brazilians constitute 31.1% of the country's 1.58 million foreign residents, totaling 493,622 individuals. Shared language and cultural ties facilitate quicker integration into the job market compared to other immigrant groups.
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Portugal's AIMA Approved 31% Fewer Family Reunification Permits in 2025; Over 24,000 Applications Pending
In 2025, Portugal's AIMA agency approved 17,359 family reunification residency permits, a 31% decrease from the previous year. By the end of 2025, over 24,000 applications remained pending, indicating significant processing delays for those seeking to join family in Portugal.
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43,000 Estonian E-Resident Companies Face Tax Risks Across 187 Countries Due to Unclear Guidance
Linell Raud highlights that 43,000 Estonian e-resident companies operating in 187 countries may face significant tax risks. The core issue is often a lack of clear understanding among e-residents regarding their international tax obligations, leading to potential non-compliance and penalties.
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Invest Cyprus and Developers Strengthen Cooperation to Attract Foreign Investment, Boosting Opportunities
Invest Cyprus and the Association of Large Investment Projects of Cyprus have agreed to deepen collaboration to attract more Foreign Direct Investments. This initiative is expected to lead to new projects across various sectors, creating jobs and increasing demand for foreign specialists on the island.
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Austria: MA 35 Confirms Minor Offenses Can Lead to Citizenship Denial, Regardless of Residency Length
Vienna's MA 35 citizenship authority has confirmed that federal law may mandate the denial of Austrian citizenship, even for individuals who have lived in the country their entire lives, if their record includes relatively minor offenses. This decision is not discretionary.
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Sweden to Tighten Family Reunification Rules from October 1, 2026; Citizenship Test Results Also Expected in October
Sweden will implement stricter family reunification rules on October 1, 2026, impacting sponsor requirements for income and housing. Additionally, results for citizenship tests are expected to be announced in October.
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Swedish Chief Judge Expects Highest Court Review on Citizenship Rules Retroactivity
A chief judge in Sweden's migration court anticipates the Migration Court of Appeal will review a key citizenship case. The central question is whether new citizenship rules should apply to applications submitted before their effective date, a decision that will set a nationwide precedent.