European Citizenship & Residency News
English briefings for the European citizenship and residency tracks hosted on Prep2Go.
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Spain Tax Refunds: Six-Month Deadline and Automatic Interest for Delays
The Spanish Tax Agency (Agencia Tributaria) is legally required to process tax refunds within six months. If this deadline is missed, interest will be automatically added to your refund. Applicants can check the status online using an electronic certificate, Cl@ve PIN, or NIE/DNI.
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Amsterdam's Monumental Robotics Deploys Robot Bricklayers to Tackle Dutch Housing Shortage
Monumental, an Amsterdam-based company, has developed autonomous robot bricklayers to address the housing crisis and construction labor shortage in the Netherlands. The company secured $32 million in July, with total funding exceeding $60 million, aiming for thousands of robots across Europe.
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Estonia's Population: 1.36 Million People from 224 Nationalities as of January 1st
Statistics Estonia reports the country's population was 1,360,745 as of January 1st, comprising 224 different ethnic nationalities. Estonians constitute 68.5%, Russians 20.2%, and other nationalities 10.8%, highlighting a diverse demographic landscape.
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Sweden Democrats Propose Retroactive Conversion of Permanent Residency to Temporary Status
The Sweden Democrats, led by Jimmie Åkesson, have announced plans to convert all permanent residency permits (PRP) into temporary ones if the party returns to power. This proposal would apply retroactively, meaning even those who currently hold permanent residency in Sweden could see their status changed, requiring per
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Converting a French Second Home to a Main Residence: Tax Implications and Process
If you've converted your French second home into your primary residence, officially updating its status with the Service des Impôts is crucial. This ensures correct tax calculations, including potential capital gains exemptions upon sale and lower local taxes. Understand the process and required documentation.
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Spain Reintroduces Schengen Border Checks, Drawing Criticism from Italy
Spain has reinstated border controls at its Schengen Area frontiers, a move that has drawn criticism from Italy. This change means travelers and residents crossing Spanish land, sea, and air borders will now undergo document checks, potentially leading to increased travel times and delays.
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Estonia Detains 99 Individuals in Two Weeks, Detention Facilities Overwhelmed
Estonian police recently detained 99 individuals without legal grounds for stay, as confirmed by Indrek Aru of the PPA. This surge has led to overcrowding and reported conflicts within detention facilities, underscoring the importance of always carrying valid residency documents.
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Sweden: Swedish Democrats Announce Plans for Stricter Work Permit and Citizenship Rules
The Swedish Democrats party, through Ludwig Aspling, has announced plans to tighten requirements for work permits and citizenship in Sweden. While specific details are pending, the general trend indicates stricter conditions for foreign workers and residents, urging current applicants to check existing rules.
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Understanding the Schengen 90/180-Day Rule: Limits, Exemptions, and Penalties for Overstaying
The Schengen 90/180-day rule limits short-stay visitors from third countries to 90 days within any 180-day period. This rule does not apply to long-stay (Type D) visas or residency permits. Overstaying is automatically tracked, leading to fines from €500, deportation, and a 3-5 year Schengen ban.
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Swedish Permanent Residency Denied to Citizen's Spouse, Despite Shared Child
Sweden's Migrationsverket denied permanent residency to the spouse of a Swedish citizen, even though the couple shares a child. This case, reported by The Local, highlights that family ties alone do not automatically guarantee permanent residence.
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Portugal's President Reiterates Call to Combat Illegal Immigration; Decree Under Constitutional Review
Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa has reiterated his call to "actively combat" illegal immigration. He declined to comment on a decree regarding the return of foreigners, which is now before the Constitutional Court. For legal residents, this is political background, not an immediate change to procedures.
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Monthly update on June 2026: Over 1,200 Golden Visa Investors Challenge New Nationality Law Amid AIMA Delays
In June 2026, a consortium of law firms filed a formal complaint on behalf of 1,260 Golden Visa investors against Portugal's new nationality law, arguing it unfairly penalizes them for multi-year administrative delays. The legal action comes as Portugal's immigration agency
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Monthly update on June 2026: Germany Overhauls Asylum System and Sets New Blue Card Salary Thresholds
Germany implemented major changes to its asylum system in June 2026, adopting new national and EU-wide laws to accelerate procedures and tighten border controls. The government also announced the 2026 salary thresholds for the EU Blue Card, while a parliamentary vote took place
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Monthly update on June 2026: Finland Approves Citizenship Test, Norway Reports Two-Year Waits for Permanent Residence
June 2026 saw major policy shifts across the Nordic region. Finland's parliament approved a new Citizenship Act introducing a mandatory test from 2027, while Norway's immigration agency reported processing times for permanent residence now exceed two years. Denmark also drafted
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Monthly update on June 2026: Netherlands Overhauls Asylum System and Proposes Stricter Residency Rules
In June 2026, the Netherlands implemented sweeping changes to its asylum system under the new EU Pact, abolishing permanent asylum permits and restricting family reunification. The government also proposed new legislation to more easily revoke residence permits for foreign
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Monthly update on June 2026: Spain's Regularization Program Closes with 1 Million+ Applicants, New Integration Plan Launched
Spain's mass regularization program concluded on June 30, drawing over one million applications—double the government's forecast. In response, the government launched a new €500 million Integration and Citizenship Plan, while the high volume of applicants is causing significant
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Monthly update on June 2026: France Implements New EU Migration Pact Amid Widespread Administrative Delays
In June 2026, France began applying the new EU Pact on Migration and Asylum, overhauling border and asylum procedures from June 12. Simultaneously, residents protested nationwide against severe processing delays at prefectures, while non-EU students now face higher financial
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Monthly update on June 2026: Constitutional Court Reviews Citizenship Law, New Worker Quotas Set for 2026-2028
In June 2026, Italy's Constitutional Court held a critical hearing on the new, restrictive citizenship by descent law, with a ruling expected by September. The government also published its three-year plan for foreign worker quotas, while the Investor Visa program was recognized