European Citizenship & Residency News
English briefings for the European citizenship and residency tracks hosted on Prep2Go.
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Spain's Opposition Proposes Tighter Residency and Citizenship Rules for Non-Working Migrants
Spain's opposition Partido Popular (PP) leader has reiterated calls to restrict entry for foreigners without employment or with criminal records. This could impact future residency permit (ВНЖ) and naturalization applications in Spain, though current permit holders are not affected.
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Monthly update on August 2026: Netherlands housing crunch, asylum centre extension, and robot construction funding
August 2026 brought three converging pressures on the Dutch housing market: a documented 19% drop in affordable student shared rooms, a government-mandated three-year extension of the Balk asylum centre overriding local agreements, and a $60 million robotics venture aiming to
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24 Arrests in The Hague After Anti-Immigration March Turns Violent
An anti-immigration march by the group Wij Zijn Het Volk near The Hague Central Station led to 24 arrests after the demonstration escalated into unrest. This incident mirrors a similar event from a year ago, highlighting visible anti-immigration sentiment in the Netherlands.
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EU Proposes Faster Qualification Recognition for Non-EU Professionals
The European Commission has proposed new legislation to streamline the recognition of professional qualifications for non-EU citizens. This initiative aims to shorten and clarify the process for doctors, engineers, and IT specialists, addressing skilled labor shortages in countries like Austria.
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EU Proposes Faster Recognition of Non-EU Diplomas, Impacting Norway
The European Commission has proposed new legislation to streamline the recognition of professional qualifications for non-EU citizens. This change is set to affect Norway, which is linked to the EU through the EEA, potentially reducing bureaucracy for those planning to work there with foreign diplomas.
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EU Commission Proposes Simplified Diploma Recognition for Non-EU Professionals, Potentially Benefiting Denmark
The European Commission has proposed new legislation to streamline the recognition of professional qualifications for non-EU citizens across the bloc. This initiative could significantly accelerate employment for foreign specialists in Denmark by standardizing diploma evaluation processes and reducing waiting times.
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EU Proposes New Rules to Simplify Recognition of Foreign Professional Qualifications
The European Commission has proposed new legislation aimed at simplifying the process for non-EU citizens to have their professional qualifications recognized within the EU. This initiative seeks to standardize the assessment of foreign diplomas and reduce administrative hurdles, potentially benefiting those looking to
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EU Commission Proposes Unified Rules to Simplify Recognition of Non-EU Professional Qualifications in Italy
The European Commission has proposed new rules to standardize the recognition of professional qualifications for non-EU citizens. This initiative aims to reduce bureaucracy and speed up the evaluation process, potentially making it easier for qualified professionals to work in Italy and other EU member states.
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EU Commission Proposes New Rules to Streamline Recognition of Non-EU Professional Qualifications
The European Commission this week proposed new legislation to accelerate the recognition of professional qualifications for non-EU citizens. Currently, the process often takes months, is costly, and requires separate document submission in each country.
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France Considers Limiting Social Benefits for Foreign Residents in 2027 Budget Plan
French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has proposed restricting access to social benefits for legally residing foreigners as part of the 2027 budget expenditure reduction plan. The specific benefits that may be affected are yet to be clarified.
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Marine Le Pen Proposes 'French Preference' Policy: What It Means for Foreign Residents
Marine Le Pen's National Rally party is advocating for 'French Preference' (préférence nationale), prioritizing French citizens for jobs, social benefits, and housing. This proposal could impact legal foreign residents, though its legality under EU law is highly questionable.
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EU Commission Proposes Faster Diploma Recognition for Non-EU Citizens, Benefiting Germany's Job Market
The European Commission has proposed new legislation to simplify the recognition of professional qualifications for non-EU citizens. This initiative aims to streamline the process for diplomas and certificates obtained outside the EU, a common hurdle for skilled migrants seeking employment in countries like Germany.
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EU Commission Proposes Simplified Professional Qualification Recognition for Non-EU Citizens
The European Commission has proposed new legislation aimed at simplifying the recognition of professional qualifications for non-EU citizens. While this could ease access to the EU job market, specific details regarding eligible professions and the new assessment mechanisms are still under development.
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Portugal Approves Income Tax Reduction for All Taxpayers, Including Foreign Residents
On September 18, 2026, the Portuguese government approved measures to ease the cost of living, including a reduction in personal income tax (IRS). This change benefits all taxpayers in Portugal, both citizens and foreign residents with official income, potentially increasing net disposable income.
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Croatian Citizenship: A Strategic Gateway for Professionals to the EU Job Market
Professionals with Croatian heritage are increasingly acquiring Croatian citizenship not for sentimental reasons, but to unlock the vast opportunities of the EU labor market. A Croatian passport, as an EU passport, grants the right to live and work freely across the European Union without visas or work permits.
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Norway Introduces Simplified Residence Permit Route for Ukrainians
The Norwegian government has proposed a new, simplified route for Ukrainian citizens seeking residence permits. While full details are pending, the initiative aims to streamline administrative procedures and reduce processing times, offering a more stable status for those in Norway or planning to move.
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Denmark Proposes Five-Fold Increase in Residence Fraud Fine to DKK 100,000
Danish Housing Minister Jakob Mark has proposed increasing the fine for 'residence fraud' from DKK 20,000 to DKK 100,000. This targets individuals who purchase property registered as a permanent residence but use it only partially, not as their primary home.
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Sweden Elections 2026: Sweden Democrats Discuss Immigrant Vote Impact
Following the September 17, 2026, election vote count in Sweden, the Sweden Democrats party has raised discussions about the potential impact of immigrant and naturalized citizen votes on their results. This signals a potential shift in future immigration policy considerations.