European Citizenship & Residency News
English briefings for the European citizenship and residency tracks hosted on Prep2Go.
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Estonia's Unemployment Falls Slightly, But Demand for Skilled Specialists Remains High
Estonia's unemployment rate saw a slight decrease in the second quarter, yet a significant demand for qualified specialists persists. Employers face fierce competition for skilled professionals, indicating a structural imbalance in the labor market.
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Estonian Police Detain 109 Foreign Nationals in Two Weeks; Over Half Claim to Be Minors
Estonian police detained 109 foreign nationals since July 21, with over 50 claiming to be unaccompanied minors. This situation places a significant burden on border control and migration services, requiring extensive age and status verification for each individual.
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Cyprus Police Arrest Eight, Including Four for Illegal Residency, in Overnight Operations
Cyprus police recently arrested eight individuals, with four detained for illegal residency, during overnight operations. Authorities checked 586 people and 280 vehicles. This highlights the importance for all residents and visitors to carry valid identification and residency documents.
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Cyprus Startup Ecosystem Grows 62.7% to $4.2 Billion, Driven by AI and Fintech
Cyprus's startup ecosystem has expanded by 62.7% in the past year, reaching $4.2 billion. Limassol now ranks among the top 200 global startup cities, signaling new opportunities for IT professionals in fintech, AI, and software development as the government actively attracts skilled talent.
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Austria Granted 13,700 Citizenships in First Half of 2026
New statistics from The Local reveal Austria issued 13,700 passports in the first half of 2026. A notable increase in naturalizations was observed among existing residents, particularly in Vienna, signaling active pathways to citizenship for those already living in the country.
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Norway Begins Six-Year ModUlf Project to Modernize Immigration System for Visas and Permits
Norway has initiated ModUlf, a six-year project to modernize its immigration system for visas, work permits, and residency. Product Manager Henrik Hansen states the goal is to make the process more transparent and less stressful for applicants, addressing current anxieties.
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Sweden's Government Approves Bill Tightening Family Reunification Requirements
On August 13, 2026, the Swedish government and the Swedish Democrats approved a bill introducing stricter requirements for family reunification. The opposition criticized two key provisions as "cruel."
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Cyprus Tax Reform 2026: Outdated Calculations Still Used by Some Companies
New tax rules took effect in Cyprus on January 1, 2026, following parliamentary approval on December 22, 2025. However, six months later, many consultants and businesses are still applying outdated figures, potentially leading to incorrect assessments and penalties.
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Austria Sees 17% Increase in Citizenship Grants in First Half of 2026
Austrian citizenship grants increased by 17% in the first half of 2026 compared to the same period in 2025, according to The Local. While this indicates a faster naturalization process, it does not necessarily mean the requirements have become easier for applicants.
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Swedish Social Democrats Propose Transitional Rules for Citizenship Applications Started Before June
Sweden's opposition Social Democrats are preparing transitional rules for citizenship applications. This initiative aims to allow individuals who started their application process or intended to apply before stricter rules took effect in June to potentially complete under the previous conditions, responding to the 'Fai
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Croatia Issues 106,400 Work Permits in Seven Months, Prioritizing Tourism and Construction
From January to July 2026, Croatia issued 106,400 work permits to citizens from outside the European Economic Area (EEA). Two-thirds of these permits were for the tourism and construction sectors, with a notable increase in Filipino workers.
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Hungary Sees Significant Rise in Sole Proprietorships, Exceeding 578,000 by June 2026
Hungary's sole proprietorship sector is booming, with over 578,000 individual entrepreneurs projected by June 2026, according to OPTEN. This marks an increase of 30,000 in a year. For the first time in 2024, sole proprietorships outnumbered traditional companies, signaling a robust market for self-employment.
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Indians and Colombians Now Third and Fourth Largest Foreign Worker Groups in Poland
Poland's Social Insurance Institution (ZUS) reports that Indians and Colombians have become the third and fourth largest groups of foreign workers, respectively. Ukrainians and Belarusians continue to hold the top two positions, indicating a diversifying labor market.
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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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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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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.