European Citizenship & Residency News
English briefings for the European citizenship and residency tracks hosted on Prep2Go.
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Monthly update on February 2026: Portugal Citizenship Rules Face Election Risks as NHR 2.0 Details Emerge
Upcoming presidential elections in Portugal could impact citizenship laws, urging investors to apply soon. Meanwhile, new details on the NHR 2.0 tax regime offer clarity for long-term financial planning.
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Monthly update on February 2026: Spain's Immigration System Faces Backlogs Amid Mass Regularisation
Spain's immigration system is experiencing severe delays due to IT glitches and a plan to regularise 500,000 migrants. Meanwhile, Portugal's recent elections may impact its Nationality Law.
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Monthly update on February 2026: Sweden Tightens Citizenship Rules & Finland Adapts to EU Migration Pact
Sweden is introducing stricter citizenship requirements, including new language tests and higher income thresholds. Meanwhile, Finland's Migri pauses some asylum cases and prepares employers for the new EU Migration Pact.
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Monthly update on February 2026: Portugal Launches AIMA Portal for Golden Visa Renewals Amid Political Shifts
AIMA has launched a new online portal for Golden Visa renewals. Meanwhile, Portugal remains a top European investment destination despite recent right-wing election gains.
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Monthly update on February 2026: Italy Tightens Tourist Rules as EU Launches Talent Visa Strategy
Italy is introducing new tourist taxes and entry rules while the EU rolls out a unified talent visa strategy. Meanwhile, the Italian passport gains expanded visa-free access to the UAE.
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Monthly update on February 2026: France Proposes 3-Year Immigration Freeze While EU Delays EES to 2026
A French minister has proposed a three-year freeze on legal immigration amid a rightward political shift. Meanwhile, the EU delayed its EES biometric border system to September 2026 due to airport readiness issues.
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Monthly update on February 2026: Germany Overhauls Talent Immigration as EU Delays Digital Borders
Germany is preparing a major overhaul of its immigration procedures to attract global talent. Meanwhile, the EU has delayed its Entry/Exit System (EES) to September 2026, offering a reprieve for travelers.
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Monthly update on February 2026: Netherlands Keeps 5-Year Citizenship Timeline But IND Delays Persist
The Dutch government has officially scrapped plans to extend the citizenship timeline to 10 years. However, systemic IND processing delays and potential cuts to expat tax breaks require careful planning.
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Monthly update on February 2026: Scandinavia Immigration: Denmark's Strict Deportation Rules & Finland's Hiring Slump
Denmark introduces mandatory deportation for serious offenses, while Finland sees a 25% drop in work visa applications amid an economic cooling. Discover the latest Nordic immigration trends.
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Monthly update on February 2026: Spain Legalizes 500,000 Migrants: Expect Severe Visa Delays
Spain has approved a historic decree to legalize 500,000 undocumented migrants. Investors and expats should prepare for significant processing delays at immigration offices and submit applications immediately.
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Monthly update on January 2026: Italy Visa IT Pause, Skilled Worker Fast-Track & Portugal Citizenship Updates
Italy temporarily paused global visa processing for IT upgrades while fast-tracking entry for skilled non-EU workers. Meanwhile, Portugal considers revising its Nationality Law, signaling potential changes for investors.
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Monthly update on January 2026: France Weighs 3-Year Immigration Freeze & Hikes Talent Passport Thresholds
France is considering a three-year freeze on legal immigration while raising salary thresholds for the Talent Passport. Applicants must also pass a new mandatory civic exam for multi-year residence permits.
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Monthly update on January 2026: Spain's Mass Legalization Risks Visa Delays Amid Portugal AIMA Petitions
Spain launches an extraordinary legalization process, sparking fears of severe processing delays at immigration offices. Meanwhile, Portugal faces petitions over AIMA citizenship backlogs.
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Monthly update on January 2026: Netherlands Immigration Update: IND Delays & Right-to-Work Checks
The Dutch IND is preparing for the new EU Migration Pact, likely causing processing delays for business visas. Meanwhile, stricter right-to-work enforcement requires employers to audit HR records.
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Monthly update on January 2026: Sweden Exempts Researchers While Finland Fast-Tracks Tech Visas
Scandinavia is shifting its immigration policies. Sweden and Finland are fast-tracking tech and research talent, while tightening rules and compliance for other migrant categories.
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Monthly update on January 2026: Portugal's Data Center Boom & 2026 Golden Visa Competitors
As Portugal emerges as a Southern European data center hub, its Golden Visa remains a stable choice compared to new startup visas in Greece and changing rules in Andorra.
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Monthly update on January 2026: Berlin Immigration Portal Closed Amid Strikes & Visa Delays
Berlin's immigration office has closed its public appointment portal to combat bots, while strikes delay residence permits. Expats should request a Fiktionsbescheinigung to avoid overstaying.
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Monthly update on January 2026: France Updates Talent Visa Guides & Delays ETIAS to Late 2026
France has updated its Talent – New Business visa guidelines and delayed the ETIAS launch to late 2026. Meanwhile, stricter general migration policies may increase processing times at local prefectures.