European Citizenship & Residency News
English briefings for the European citizenship and residency tracks hosted on Prep2Go.
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Italian Officials Implicated in Fake Passport Scheme Targeting Brazilians
Two civil servants have been suspended and a mayor is under investigation in Northern Italy for allegedly selling fraudulent Italian passports to Brazilian citizens. This highlights the risks of unofficial citizenship offers.
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Utrecht Considers Stricter Landlord Fines, Inspired by Rotterdam's Enforcement Success
Utrecht is reviewing its approach to landlord violations after issuing only one fine for nearly 200 complaints last year. The city is now looking to Rotterdam, which issued 25 fines ranging from €1,000 to tens of thousands of euros in the second half of 2025.
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Portugal Abolishes On-Arrival Legalization and Simplified Study Visas with New Law No. 62/2026
Effective September 10, 2026, Portugal's Law No. 62/2026 eliminates exceptional paths to obtaining a residence permit without a prior consular visa and ends simplified procedures for professional training. All applicants must now secure a visa before entering the country.
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Estonia Requires Local School Attendance for All Under 18; Foreign Online Education Not Accepted
Estonia's Ministry of Education has confirmed that all children under 18 residing in the country must attend an Estonian school. Foreign online education does not fulfill this compulsory education requirement, even if the child is already enrolled in an international program. This applies to all minor residents.
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Sweden: Immigrants Note Shifting Political Climate, Affecting Residency Decisions
A recent report by The Local Sweden highlights how foreigners perceive a changing political climate in the country. This perceived hostility towards immigrants is not an abstract concept but a tangible factor influencing decisions to stay or leave, impacting psychological comfort for residents and prospective applicant
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Marine Le Pen's Immigration Proposals Could Challenge French Constitutional Protections
Marine Le Pen's proposed immigration reforms, including stricter residency and citizenship rules, may face constitutional challenges in France. Experts warn that while protections exist, political will could lead to reinterpretation, creating uncertainty for non-citizens.
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Understanding Primary vs. Secondary Residence in France: Tax Implications for EU Applicants
In France, the classification of your property as a primary (résidence principale) or secondary (résidence secondaire) residence has significant tax and administrative implications. French authorities prioritize actual time spent in the property over declarations. Understanding this distinction is crucial for EU applic
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Cyprus Police Arrest Seven for Irregular Stay, Emphasizing Strict Immigration Enforcement
Cyprus Police recently conducted overnight operations, apprehending seven individuals for violating immigration status. These checks are regular nationwide, highlighting the importance of maintaining valid residency documents to avoid deportation and re-entry bans.
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Austrian Citizenship Granted After 54 Years: TV Presenter's Journey Highlights Strict Language & Fines Checks
TV presenter Ani Gülgün-Mayr finally received Austrian citizenship after 54 years of residency. Her application required proving German language proficiency and addressing minor traffic violations, underscoring Austria's meticulous review process for all applicants, regardless of long-term stay.
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AI Consultant Wins Appeal Against Swedish Citizenship Denial Under New Rules
Anna Bärlund, an AI consultant, successfully appealed a denial of Swedish citizenship based on new residency period rules. This marks one of the first known precedents against these requirements, suggesting that a denial may not be final for other applicants.
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European Judges Order Dutch IND to Process 140,000 Ukrainian Asylum Applications
European judges have issued a binding order for the Dutch Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) to process 140,000 pending asylum applications from Ukrainian citizens. This decision mandates individual review for cases that have been backlogged for months or longer.
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BPCC to Host Free Webinar on Portugal Taxes, Visas, and Property for Relocation Planning
The British-Portuguese Chamber of Commerce (BPCC) is hosting a free online webinar on October 15 for individuals planning to relocate to Portugal. Experts from Deloitte Legal Telles, Global Citizen Solutions, and Santander Portugal Bank will cover visa routes, tax implications, and mortgage options.
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Mandatory Health Insurance for Portugal's D7 and Digital Nomad Visas from 2026
Effective 2026, Portugal's AIMA (Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum) and Finanças will require valid health insurance for all D7 and Digital Nomad visa applications. Applications will be rejected without it, regardless of citizenship.
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Bulgarian Driver Jailed in Estonia for Illegally Transporting Migrants
A Bulgarian citizen has been sentenced to prison by the Pärnu District Court in Estonia for illegally transporting migrants. The case was processed under an expedited procedure, highlighting Estonia's strict stance against human smuggling and the severe legal consequences for those involved.
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UK Citizens in Austria: Residence Rights Exist, But Formal Permit Acquisition Proves Challenging
UK citizens who resided in Austria before the end of the Brexit transition period retain their right to stay. However, many encounter significant bureaucratic hurdles and document requirements when attempting to formalize their residence permits, despite the Ministry of Interior stating deportation is a last resort.
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Denmark's Ruling Party Outlines Goals for Upcoming Citizenship Negotiations
Denmark's ruling party has announced its objectives for upcoming citizenship negotiations, aiming to revise current naturalization rules. Potential changes include residency periods, language requirements, and integration criteria. Details will be discussed with other political parties.
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Sweden Debates Stricter Family Reunification for Researchers and Potential Ban on Teen Deportations
Sweden is currently facing a political stalemate over immigration laws, with discussions on tightening family reunification rules for researchers while simultaneously considering a ban on teenage deportations. Applicants should monitor official updates from Migrationsverket.
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French Centrist Candidate Pledges 50% Reduction in Legal Migration Ahead of 2027 Elections
A leading centrist candidate for France's 2027 presidential elections has unveiled a program promising to halve legal migration. This potential policy shift could impact work permit holders, students, and other residency permit (titre de séjour) applicants.