European Citizenship & Residency News
English briefings for the European citizenship and residency tracks hosted on Prep2Go.
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Sweden's Green Party Seeks to Reinstate Humanitarian Clause to Protect Elderly British Citizens from Deportation
Sweden's Green Party, led by Annika Hirvonen, is advocating for the reinstatement of a humanitarian clause, abolished in 2023. This clause would allow the Migration Agency to consider individual circumstances, potentially preventing the deportation of elderly British citizens and other long-term third-country residents
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Portugal's Border Control Transition: First Year of UNEF PSP Marked by Airport Disruptions
Portugal's National Unit for Foreigners and Borders (UNEF PSP) completed its first year on August 21, 2026, a period described by its union as "very turbulent." The transition from SEF has led to significant airport delays, document processing issues, and long queues at passport control.
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Portuguese Bar Association Confirms AIMA Staff Shortages and Systemic Issues Hinder Immigrant Rights
Following an August 19 visit to AIMA's Lisbon office, the Portuguese Bar Association confirmed severe staff shortages, inadequate digital systems, and extensive queues. These systemic issues are impeding lawyers' work and undermining immigrants' right to effective defense and access to services.
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American Faces Demolition Threat for €5,000 Croatian Home Due to Unregulated Status
An American musician who bought a house in Croatia's Zagorje region for €5,000 is now facing demolition due to its unregulated legal status. This case highlights the critical need for thorough legal due diligence when purchasing property in Croatia, especially for foreign buyers.
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Denmark: Social Democrats Open to 5-Year Provisional Citizenship
Denmark's largest government party, the Social Democrats, is considering a Liberal Party proposal for a 5-year provisional citizenship period. If adopted, new citizens could have their status revoked within the first five years for serious violations.
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Denmark Considers 5-Year Provisional Citizenship; Social Democrats Open to Liberal Party Proposal
Denmark's Liberal party has again proposed a five-year provisional citizenship period. With the Social Democrats, the largest government party, indicating openness to the idea, the proposal's chances of becoming law are increasing. This could impact future Danish citizenship applicants.
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Sweden Expels Long-Term British Residents Who Did Not Secure Post-Brexit Status
Sweden's Migration Agency is expelling British citizens who have lived in the country for decades but failed to secure a new residence permit or citizenship after Brexit. Their previous EU status no longer applies, and they are now subject to third-country national rules.
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British Expats in Spain: Reform UK's Benefit Policy Could Trigger EU Reciprocity
Reform UK's pledge to restrict social benefits for foreigners in the UK, including EU citizens, could prompt the EU to impose reciprocal measures. This might affect British expats in member states like Spain, potentially impacting those receiving pensions or disability benefits.
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AIMA Appointments in Portugal: Immigrants Face Long Journeys for Brief Meetings
Immigrants in Portugal are reportedly traveling hundreds of kilometers for AIMA (Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum) appointments that often last only a few minutes. This geographical disparity, with offices concentrated in major cities, imposes significant financial and time burdens on applicants seeking res
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Croatian Landlords Object to New Hospitality Act with EU Commission
On August 21, 2026, the Croatian association SMOi (Spasimo male obiteljske iznajmljivače) filed an official objection with the European Commission via the TRIS system against the draft Hospitality Act. Landlords argue certain provisions conflict with EU law, potentially impacting rental conditions for applicants.
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Danish Citizenship Applications Face Delays Amidst Government Rift
Thousands of Danish citizenship applications are stalled due to political disagreements between Denmark's ruling parties. Applicants face months of uncertainty, impacting employment, education, and future plans, with processing times remaining unclear.
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Foreign Names Can Be a Real Barrier to Job Search Success in Sweden, The Local Reports
The Local Sweden highlights that having a non-Swedish name can be a significant, real-world barrier when seeking employment in Sweden, even for highly qualified candidates. This isn't just a perception among applicants but a recognized issue discussed by both employers and researchers.
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Italy Considers Stricter Citizenship by Descent Rules, Potentially Affecting Applicants
Italy is actively discussing amendments to its citizenship by descent (jure sanguinis) law. Proposed changes could introduce stricter requirements for proving lineage and application deadlines, potentially complicating the process for descendants of Italian emigrants, including many Americans.
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Americans in Germany: Why Opening a Bank Account Can Be Challenging
US citizens in Germany often face difficulties opening bank accounts. This is primarily due to the US FATCA law, which imposes reporting obligations on foreign banks. German banks may require more documentation or decline applications to avoid compliance complexities.
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Germany Recognizes Record Number of Foreign Qualifications, But Growth Rate Slows
Germany has recognized a record number of foreign qualifications this year, a key part of its strategy to attract skilled migrants. However, the pace of growth in these recognitions is slowing, suggesting potential system strain for applicants.
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Foreign Buyers Set New Record for Spanish Property Market Share
Latest data reveals foreign buyers now hold an unprecedented share of the Spanish real estate market, marking a historic record. This trend, coupled with a decrease in purchases by Spanish citizens, is reshaping market dynamics.
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Dutch Asylum Center in Balk to Remain Open Until 2029, Extending Operations by Three Years
The Dutch Ministry of Justice and Security has extended the operation of the asylum seeker center in Balk, Friesland, until 2029. This decision postpones its planned closure from October 1, 2026, by three years, much to the dissatisfaction of the De Fryske Marren municipality.
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Monthly update on July 2026: Netherlands immigration — EU Pact backlogs, IND rule changes, and investor residency limits
July 2026 brought significant pressure on the Dutch immigration system as the EU Migration and Asylum Pact took effect on 12 June 2026, with the Dutch Council for Refugees warning on 7 July that over 50,000 pending asylum applicants face years of additional delay.