Updated for May 2025 — and still surprisingly attainable if you know where to look
For Americans dreaming of a second passport, Europe remains a beacon. But as global mobility tightens, citizenship is no longer handed out freely. The countries still offering real pathways? They tend to do so quietly — through ancestry, long-term residency, and yes, in some cases, strategic investment.
While “citizenship by investment” is fading across much of Europe, several nations continue to offer Americans a realistic way in. Some of these routes are surprisingly affordable. Others require patience. But all of them lead to the same outcome: full European citizenship and everything that comes with it — free movement, healthcare access, and a deep-rooted sense of belonging.
Here are nine countries where the door is still open in 2025 — and why most Americans never realize it.
Want More Deep Dives into Everyday European Culture?
– Why Europeans Walk Everywhere (And Americans Should Too)
– How Europeans Actually Afford Living in Cities Without Six-Figure Salaries
– 9 ‘Luxury’ Items in America That Europeans Consider Basic Necessities
1. Portugal: The Quiet Favorite for Residency-Based Citizenship
Portugal remains one of the most accessible EU countries for Americans. While the famed Golden Visa program tightened in 2023, the country’s residency-based citizenship path is still wide open.
Most expats now come via the D7 visa, designed for people with passive income or remote work. After five years of legal residency — during which you only need to spend an average of six months per year in-country — you can apply for full citizenship. You’re not required to speak fluent Portuguese, but basic proficiency is expected.
Why Americans miss it: Because Portugal doesn’t shout about its pathway. But for long-term planners, it’s the most straightforward route on the continent.
2. Italy: Ancestry-Driven, But Faster Than You Think
If your great-grandfather was born in Italy, you might already qualify for Italian citizenship — no matter where you live now. Italy’s Jure Sanguinis (citizenship by bloodline) is one of the most generous in Europe. There’s no generational limit as long as your lineage was never broken by naturalization before the next birth.
Processing can take time — especially in consulates in the U.S. — but some Americans choose to speed things up by applying in Italy, which requires establishing temporary residency and dealing with local bureaucracy directly.
Why it’s overlooked: Many Americans don’t realize Italian law allows transmission through multiple generations — and never expires. If you qualify, you’re not applying for citizenship. You’re reclaiming it.
3. Ireland: A Passport Through Your Grandparents
Ireland keeps it simple. If you have at least one Irish-born grandparent, you qualify for citizenship — no need to move, no need to wait. You register your birth in Ireland’s Foreign Births Register, provide documentation, and you’re in.
You’ll get full EU rights, including freedom of movement across the Schengen Area. You also keep your U.S. citizenship — Ireland allows dual nationality.
Why most Americans miss it: Because they stop looking after “my grandparents came from County Cork” and assume that’s too distant. But for Ireland, that’s close enough.
4. Spain: Slow Path, But Rich in Benefits
Spain doesn’t offer a Golden Visa that leads directly to citizenship. But if you’re committed, the long game works.
Americans can apply for non-lucrative residency, move to Spain, and begin the clock. After ten years of legal residence — or two years if you’re of Latin American, Filipino, or Sephardic Jewish descent — you can apply for citizenship.
While Spain generally requires applicants to renounce their previous nationality, Americans are rarely asked to provide proof of doing so — meaning dual citizenship is often informally tolerated.
Why it’s skipped: The ten-year wait and language requirement scare people off. But for families who want to build a life in Spain, it’s a clear and well-established path.
5. Greece: One of Europe’s Last Golden Visas — Still Standing
While many countries phased out their Golden Visas in recent years, Greece’s real estate-based residency program is still operational as of May 2025 — though significantly reformed.
The minimum investment now ranges from €250,000 to €500,000 depending on location. But the program offers five-year renewable residency with no minimum stay requirement, and after seven years of continuous residency (and meeting language/civic integration criteria), you can apply for citizenship.
Why Americans overlook it: They assume Greece’s bureaucracy is too complex — but local legal firms now specialize in guiding investors through every step.
6. Hungary: Ancestry, Simplicity, and Renewed Interest
Hungary flies under the radar, but if you have Hungarian ancestors — even as far back as your great-grandparents — you may be eligible for citizenship.
The process has been streamlined since 2011 for applicants who can prove descent and basic Hungarian language ability. While Hungary isn’t in the Schengen Area’s core, it is in the EU, and a Hungarian passport opens the same doors.
Why it’s missed: Most Americans aren’t aware that Hungary fast-tracks ancestry cases and has fewer residence requirements than its neighbors.
7. Poland: Fast Citizenship Through Family Lines
Poland’s citizenship law is generous — if your ancestors held Polish citizenship after 1920 and didn’t renounce it, you may already be considered a citizen.
Unlike other countries that “offer” citizenship, Poland’s system operates on confirmation. If you qualify, you’re already a citizen under law — you just need documentation to prove it.
Why it’s skipped: Because the bureaucratic process is daunting, and most people give up. But specialized lawyers now help streamline the process, and once confirmed, you receive a passport — no naturalization needed.
8. France: Harder to Get In, Still Possible to Stay
France no longer offers investor visas leading directly to citizenship, but Americans can establish residency through long-stay visas, including the Talent Passport or Passeport Compétences et Talents for skilled professionals or business founders.
After five years of legal, uninterrupted residence (and demonstrating integration, including French proficiency), applicants can apply for citizenship. If married to a French citizen, the path shortens to three years.
Why it’s ignored: Many Americans assume France is impossible unless you marry a local. But with work or business qualifications, the door is still open.
9. Malta: The Only True Citizenship-by-Investment Program Still Alive
In 2025, Malta remains the only EU country with a legal citizenship-by-investment program, albeit an expensive one. The Maltese Exceptional Investor Naturalization (MEIN) scheme requires:
- A residency period of 12 to 36 months
- A non-refundable donation to Malta’s national development fund
- A real estate purchase or lease
- Due diligence screening at every stage
The total outlay typically exceeds €700,000. But at the end of the process, you receive full citizenship — with one of the strongest passports in the world.
Why it’s overlooked: The price tag. But for ultra-mobile entrepreneurs or families with global needs, Malta is the only shortcut left.
What About Dual Citizenship?
Most of the countries listed above allow Americans to retain U.S. citizenship — either formally or in practice. The U.S. does not penalize dual nationals, though you may still have tax obligations. Always consult a legal expert before applying, but in most cases, you can have both.
There is no one-size-fits-all path to a European passport. The fastest route may not be the most stable. The most affordable route may require patience and documentation. And the most prestigious route — such as Malta — comes with a high price.
But what’s clear in 2025 is this:
European citizenship is not off the table.
It simply requires a deeper understanding of history, law, and personal strategy.
Whether you’re looking to reconnect with your roots, build a life abroad, or just keep the door open for future generations, these nine countries still welcome Americans who take the time to understand the system — and approach it with care.
Let me know if you want a follow-up guide that compares requirements, processing times, and dual citizenship rules across these countries. I can also provide a printable checklist for ancestry-based applications.
About the Author: Ruben, co-founder of Gamintraveler.com since 2014, is a seasoned traveler from Spain who has explored over 100 countries since 2009. Known for his extensive travel adventures across South America, Europe, the US, Australia, New Zealand, Asia, and Africa, Ruben combines his passion for adventurous yet sustainable living with his love for cycling, highlighted by his remarkable 5-month bicycle journey from Spain to Norway. He currently resides in Spain, where he continues sharing his travel experiences with his partner, Rachel, and their son, Han.