European Citizenship & Residency News
English briefings for the European citizenship and residency tracks hosted on Prep2Go.
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Portugal's Business Sector and Job Market Grew in 2025, Led by Construction
Portugal's business sector expanded in 2025, with an increase in companies, new job opportunities, and higher turnover nationwide. The construction industry showed the strongest growth, indicating a strengthening economy and favorable business environment.
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Schengen Entry/Exit System (EES) Causes Up to Five-Hour Border Delays for Non-EU Citizens
One year after its launch, the EU's digital Entry/Exit System (EES) for non-EU citizens is causing significant delays at Schengen borders, with wait times reaching up to five hours. European airports and airlines are calling for an urgent review and redesign of the system due to "unacceptable" disruptions.
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European Airports Demand EES Rethink Amid Up to Five-Hour Delays at Schengen Borders, Affecting Norway Travel
European airports and airlines are urging the EU to revise the Entry/Exit System (EES) a year after its launch, citing "unacceptable" delays of up to five hours at external Schengen borders. As part of the Schengen Area, Norway is also affected, impacting non-EU travelers.
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Norway Job Interviews: Employers Cannot Ask About Nationality or Ethnicity
Norwegian law strictly prohibits employers from asking about nationality, ethnicity, religion, or political views during job interviews. This rule ensures hiring decisions are based solely on qualifications and experience, with rare exceptions only when citizenship is legally mandated for a specific role.
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EU Airports Call for EES Review as Non-EU Travelers Face Up to Five-Hour Border Delays
European airports and airlines are urging the EU to urgently address severe delays at Schengen's external borders caused by the Entry/Exit System (EES). Launched a year ago to replace manual passport stamps for non-EU citizens, EES is now causing queues of up to five hours, directly impacting travel to and from countri
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Danish Housing Market: Copenhagen Apartment Prices Drop, Aarhus Sets New Record
Denmark's housing market shows diverging trends: apartment prices in Copenhagen have decreased, while Aarhus, the second-largest city, has reached a new historic high. This presents different considerations for those looking to relocate or invest in Danish property.
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Schengen Entry/Exit System (EES) Causes Up to Five-Hour Delays; Airports Demand Review
One year after its launch, the EU's Entry/Exit System (EES) is causing significant delays, with queues at Schengen external borders reaching up to five hours. European airports and airlines are calling on the EU to urgently review and optimize the system.
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Swedish Citizenship Denial Overturned on Appeal: Anna Berglund's Case Offers Hope
AI consultant Anna Berglund successfully appealed an initial denial of Swedish citizenship by Migrationsverket. Her case, highlighted by The Local, demonstrates that a first 'no' is not always the final decision for applicants.
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Swedish Democrats Block Documents for Four Days to Pressure for Stricter Permanent Residency Rules
A new book reveals the Swedish Democrats (SD) party withheld signing state documents for four days to pressure the Tidö government into tightening rules for revoking Permanent Residency (PR). This incident highlights the party's influence and the potential for legislative changes affecting PR holders.
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Italy Tightens Visa Requirements, Applicants Explore Alternative Residency Paths
Italy has reportedly tightened its visa requirements, making traditional paths to residency more challenging. Applicants are now encountering rejections and exploring alternative routes, from marriage to investment, according to The Local Italy.
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EU Airports & Airlines Call for EES Overhaul Amid 5-Hour Delays for Non-EU Travelers
One year after its launch, the EU's Entry/Exit System (EES), designed to streamline border checks for non-EU citizens, is causing significant delays of up to five hours at Schengen borders. European airports and airlines are now demanding an urgent overhaul, directly impacting residency applicants and travelers without
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Germany Allows Visa-Free Entry for Some Nationalities to Apply for Long-Term Residency
Citizens from a select group of countries can now enter Germany either visa-free or with a Schengen visa and apply for a long-term residence permit (VNJ) directly within the country. This streamlines the process, eliminating the need to return home for a national visa.
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European Airports Call for EES Review Amid Up to Five-Hour Border Delays
European airports and airlines are urging the EU to review its Entry/Exit System (EES) due to "unacceptable" delays, with non-EU travelers experiencing waits of up to five hours at Schengen borders, especially during peak periods, a year after the system's launch.
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Foreigners Account for Over Half of Renters in Spain, Intensifying Competition
New data from The Local reveals that over 50% of renters in Spain are foreigners. This trend intensifies competition for rental properties, especially in major cities, and often leads individuals to choose renting over purchasing due to mortgage complexities and high property prices.
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Portugal's RSAA Program Sets Accessible Rent Limits from €224 to €2,066, Varies by Municipality
Portugal has fully launched its Simplified Accessible Rental Regime (RSAA), publishing maximum rent limits. These range from €224 for a studio to €2,066 for larger properties, with specific caps depending on the housing type and municipality.
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Portugal Golden Visa: AIMA Processes 6,000 of 46,000 Applications, Backlog Remains Substantial
Portugal's AIMA agency has processed 6,000 out of 46,000 pending Golden Visa applications. While 30,000 biometric appointments are planned by October 2026, Minister António Leitão Amaro notes that improved scheduling doesn't equate to faster final decisions, which can take months after biometrics.
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Monthly update on September 2026: Spain bans vulture funds, nears 8 million foreign residents, and opposition targets work-linked residency
September 2026 brought Spain's biggest housing-market intervention in years — a pre-approved ban on speculative 'vulture funds' and an eviction moratorium through 2030 — alongside a record near-8-million foreign-resident headcount that is already stretching immigration offices.
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Italy's Housing Market: Politicians Acknowledge Rising Prices Amidst Spanish Crisis Concerns
Italian politicians are openly discussing a potential housing crisis, drawing parallels with Spain's situation. With rising prices and decreasing affordability, applicants for Italian residency or citizenship should factor in a more generous housing budget.