European Citizenship & Residency News
English briefings for the European citizenship and residency tracks hosted on Prep2Go.
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Spanish Residency Through Marriage or EU Partnership: Not Automatic, Requires Proof
Gaining Spanish residency via marriage or a registered civil partnership (pareja de hecho) with a Spanish or EU resident is possible through the Tarjeta de Familiar de Comunitario. This path requires official registration and financial guarantees from your partner, with specific registration rules varying by region.
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IamExpat Fair Returns to Eindhoven on October 3, 2026: Focus on Career, Housing, and Integration
The IamExpat Fair is back in Eindhoven on October 3, 2026, featuring an expanded career section, two international centers, and a children's zone. This free event offers consultations on work, housing, education, and integration in the Netherlands. Online registration is required.
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Portugal's AIMA President Departs for Competition Authority Role
The President of Portugal's Agency for Integration, Migration, and Asylum (AIMA) is leaving to join the Competition Authority. This leadership change could influence internal processes and timelines for residency (VNR/PMR) and asylum applications, impacting current and future applicants.
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Portugal's Foreign Resident Population Nears 1.6 Million, AIMA Reports Significant Growth
Portugal's Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA) reported 1,585,854 foreign residents by the end of 2025, marking an increase of 38,000 new arrivals in one year. This growth is impacting local services and may extend residency application processing times.
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Tallinn City Council Member Proposes Regulation for Short-Term Rentals
Tallinn City Council member Joosep Vimm advocates for regulating short-term rentals like Airbnb, citing concerns over tax losses, unfair competition with hotels, and the impact on the Old Town's social fabric. Proposals include licensing and rental day limits.
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Estonian Police Detain 46 Individuals for Illegal Border Crossing via Belarus and Latvia
Since September 17, Estonian police have apprehended 46 foreign nationals who illegally crossed the border via Belarus and Latvia. A 54-year-old Romanian citizen has been arrested on suspicion of organizing the scheme, highlighting the risks of unofficial entry.
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Austrian Citizenship Denied After 54 Years Due to Parking Fines
Ani Gülgün-Mayr, an ORF TV presenter who has lived in Austria since childhood, was denied Austrian citizenship. The reason cited was administrative traffic violations, including parking fines, despite her 54 years of residence and full integration, as reported by The Local.
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Austrian Citizenship Denied to Long-Term Resident Over Minor Traffic Violations
Vienna's MA 35 immigration service denied Austrian citizenship to journalist Ani Gülgün-Mayr, despite her living in the country for over 50 years and working for ORF. The decision was based on past administrative offenses, specifically minor traffic violations, highlighting strict adherence to a clean record.
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Germany's Citizenship Test Under Scrutiny: Debate Over What It Truly Assesses
Germany's mandatory naturalisation test is sparking debate among critics who question its effectiveness. While residency requirements for citizenship were reduced to five years in June 2024, the test remains, with some arguing it's a memory check rather than a true measure of integration.
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Running a Business from Home in Spain: Key Rules for Self-Employed Individuals
Self-employed foreigners in Spain often operate from home to save costs. However, Spanish law and community regulations dictate whether you can receive clients, register your home as a business address, and what local zoning or safety rules apply. Always check before registering.
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Netherlands Designates 50 Sites for Accelerated Housing, Targeting 100,000 New Homes Annually
The Dutch Minister for Housing, Elinor Bokhove-O'Sullivan, announced 50 locations for accelerated housing development. This initiative aims to deliver 100,000 new homes per year to address the housing shortage, with 26 sites strategically located near railway stations for faster construction.
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Split Landlords Protest New Fees, Warning of Rental Market Impact
The SMOi (Save Small Family Landlords) association has formally protested Split's new Destination Management Plan, citing increased fees and costs. Landlords argue the plan unfairly favors large hotels, potentially impacting short-term private rentals for those considering residency or digital nomad stays in Split.
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920,000 UK Citizens Hold EU Residency Permits: Where They Live
As of late 2025, 920,000 UK citizens hold residency permits across the European Union. Data published by The Local reveals that the majority of these individuals are concentrated in just three EU countries, highlighting established communities and infrastructure for expatriates.
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Austrian Citizenship: Proposal to Exclude Refugee Years from Residency Calculation Postponed
An Austrian parliamentary committee has postponed a proposal by the FPÖ party that sought to exclude years spent as a recognized refugee from the residency period required for Austrian citizenship. Current rules, which count these years, remain in effect.
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920,000 Britons Held EU Residency Permits by End of 2025, Report Shows
A new report indicates that 920,000 UK citizens held residency permits across EU countries by the end of 2025. The majority of these residents are concentrated in three primary EU member states, highlighting continued British migration post-Brexit.
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920,000 Britons Hold EU Residency Permits by End of 2025, Concentrated in Three Countries
By the end of 2025, 920,000 British citizens held residency permits across EU countries, indicating a sustained post-Brexit trend. A significant majority of these permits are concentrated in just three member states, suggesting popular, well-trodden paths for UK nationals.
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920,000 Britons Secured EU Residency by End of 2025
By the end of 2025, approximately 920,000 UK citizens had obtained official residency permits across the European Union. A significant majority of these permits were issued by just three EU member states, indicating popular destinations for post-Brexit relocation.
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920,000 Britons Expected to Hold EU Residency by End of 2025
By the end of 2025, an estimated 920,000 UK citizens are projected to hold residency permits across the European Union, with the majority concentrated in just three member states. This trend highlights post-Brexit adaptation.