Immigration Law · European Union
Turn Years of Legal Residence Into Citizenship
After years of lawful residence, most European countries offer a path to citizenship — but qualifying periods, integration requirements and evidence standards differ from one country to the next. We match you, free of charge, with a vetted nationality lawyer who handles citizenship by residence applications in your target country every day.
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Who this is for
You have put in the years. Now prove them, correctly.
Citizenship by residence, sometimes called naturalisation, rewards people who have lived lawfully in a country for a sustained period. But the right to apply is earned through more than time: most countries also require continuous lawful residence with limited permitted absences, evidence of stable income or self-sufficiency, language and integration, and a clean criminal record, all assessed against rules that change and are applied with discretion. Because the qualifying period is measured in precise terms — and because gaps in residence or the wrong permit type can reset it — the way you document your history matters as much as the history itself. A specialist helps you map your residence record, identify and fix any weaknesses before you file, and present a complete application that the authority can approve without delay.
Why residence is undercut
Years of residence can be undermined.
By gaps, permits and paperwork you did not expect to matter.
The qualifying period is counted in exact terms, and the wrong permit, an unplanned absence or a lapse in status can reset the clock without warning.
Residence gaps and absences
Most countries cap the absences you may have during the qualifying period and require continuous lawful status. A single unpermitted absence or a period on the wrong type of permit can reset your clock or delay eligibility by years.
Wrong permit type
Time spent on certain permits — student, seasonal or short-term — may not count toward residence for citizenship in some countries. Assuming it does can lead to a refusal after months of preparation.
Income and integration evidence
You typically need to prove stable income or self-sufficiency, language ability and integration over the whole qualifying period, not just at the end. Reconstructing this history is often harder than applicants expect.
What you get
A residence lawyer who maps your history to the exact qualifying rules
We only match you with nationality lawyers who handle residence-based citizenship in your target country.
Residence-history audit
Your lawyer maps every permit, renewal and absence against the country’s qualifying rules, and tells you exactly when you become eligible and what would delay that date.
Gap remediation
Where a gap or a wrong permit threatens your qualifying period, you get advice on whether it can be explained, regularised or avoided before it costs you a fresh clock.
Evidence assembly
Language certificates, income records, tax documents and integration proof are gathered and checked against the country’s standards, so the file is complete, consistent and ready to submit.
Application & follow-up
The application is prepared and filed correctly, and your lawyer tracks progress and answers any requests for further evidence on your behalf through to decision.
Coverage
Citizenship by residence lawyers across Europe
Residence requirements are set nationally and vary considerably, so the right lawyer is one who works with your target country’s nationality authority and its specific qualifying rules. We match cases across the following countries and beyond:
Frequently asked
Citizenship by residence — common questions
How many years of residence do I need before I can apply for citizenship?
This varies widely by country, commonly between five and ten years of lawful, continuous residence, with reductions for spouses of citizens, recognised refugees or other categories in some jurisdictions. A lawyer can confirm the exact period and how it is counted for your case.
Does all my time in the country count toward the requirement?
Not necessarily. Some countries exclude time on student, seasonal or short-term permits, and absences above a certain threshold may interrupt continuity. Whether your specific periods count depends on the national rules and the types of permit you have held.
What happens if I have a gap or an unpermitted absence?
It depends on the country and the nature of the gap. In some cases the clock resets; in others the gap can be explained or regularised. This is one of the most important things to review with a lawyer before you file, because it can change your eligibility date significantly.
Do I need to pass a language or integration test for citizenship by residence?
In most countries, yes — naturalisation generally requires evidence of language ability and, frequently, a civic or integration test or interview. Exemptions may apply for certain ages or circumstances, and the accepted certificates vary by country.
Can I keep my current citizenship if I naturalise?
Many European countries permit dual citizenship, but some require renunciation of your existing nationality, subject to exceptions. The answer depends on both the target country and the law of your country of origin, so it is worth checking before you commit to the process.
Can a lawyer speed up my citizenship application?
A lawyer cannot guarantee a faster decision, but a specialist who prepares a complete, correctly certified file and follows up with the authority can often avoid the avoidable delays caused by missing documents or unanswered requests for further evidence.
Free case review
Make your years of residence count toward citizenship
Tell us how long you have lived in your target country and we’ll connect you with a nationality lawyer who handles residence-based citizenship every day — free of charge, with no obligation to hire.