How to obtain residency and citizenship in Europe: key points

Brief introduction

Evgeny Tsikunov, a consultant and director of the company "Second Home," is also a candidate of legal sciences. Evaluating Europe from the perspective of political and economic unions is far from a simple task. It includes significant structures such as the European Union, the Eurozone, the EU Customs Union, the Schengen Area, the Council of Europe, and Russia.

The structure of the European Union and the Schengen Area

To understand each of these formations and their specifics, it is necessary to pay attention to the European Union and the Schengen Area, examining their similarities and differences.

Visualization of structure

Let's imagine a simple diagram: in the center is a blue sphere symbolizing the European Union, which currently unites 28 countries. A gray sphere representing the Schengen Area encompasses 26 countries. Notably, 22 countries are members of both organizations simultaneously. Knowing this information is important for understanding the rights and opportunities of those who intend to obtain residency and want to know how to cross borders without worrying about visa requirements.

Advantages of a residence permit

Obtaining a residence permit in one of the countries that are part of both the EU and the Schengen Area (these are the countries located in the center of our diagram) offers a number of advantages. The main ones are:

• the possibility of year-round residence in this country;
• Permitted visa-free stay for up to 90 days within a six-month period in any of the Schengen Area countries.

Visa-free travel and restrictions

It is important to note that a question may arise: if you have a residence permit in one of the Schengen countries, can you visit EU countries that are not part of the Schengen Area without a visa? The answer is yes. With a residence permit in one of the Schengen countries, you can easily visit countries such as:

• Cyprus;
• Bulgaria;
• Croatia;
• Romania.

These countries gladly welcome foreign citizens, hoping that they will spend money on their territory.

Visa issues for some countries

On the other hand, having a residence permit in a Schengen country does not allow you to visit countries like the United Kingdom and Ireland without a visa. These countries declared their intention to maintain an independent migration policy when they joined the EU, and therefore are not part of the Schengen Area. Currently, the United Kingdom and Ireland only partially participate in Schengen agreements related to combating international crime and security.

Examples of situations

For example, if you obtain a residence permit in Latvia, you will be able to visit Bulgaria without a visa. However, you will have to postpone your trip to Ireland, as you will need a visa for that.

Immigration prospects in the EU

If you are considering the possibility of obtaining a residence permit in an EU country that is not part of the Schengen Area, you will have the opportunity to live in that country year-round. However, there may be certain difficulties with traveling and residing in Schengen countries, as the visa-free regime will not be available to you.

Conclusion

Thus, knowledge of the structure and features of the European Union and the Schengen Area plays a key role in assessing the opportunities and prospects related to migration. This knowledge can significantly influence the interest in obtaining residence permits in various countries within these unions.

Popular destinations for relocation

Bulgaria, Croatia, and Cyprus are just a few of the countries that are becoming increasingly popular among people planning to relocate. These countries are particularly appealing to those seeking a life in nature or facing visa restrictions that require leaving the country after 90 days of stay within six months. Individuals wishing to immigrate should keep in mind that the process of obtaining residency in countries like Cyprus or Bulgaria is not always straightforward and beneficial.

Immigration opportunities for British citizens

It is important to emphasize that the investor visa available to UK citizens does not grant the right to travel visa-free within the Schengen Area. Therefore, those who value unrestricted access to travel in Europe should consider alternative solutions, such as:

• Obtaining a passport for Saint Kitts and Nevis
• Obtaining a residence permit in Latvia or Hungary

Countries outside the European Union

Moreover, there are countries in Europe that are not part of the European Union and are not associated with the Schengen Agreement. This creates certain challenges:

• The immigration regulations that apply within the EU do not extend to these countries.
• This may limit opportunities for free movement and residence.

On the other hand, for citizens of certain categories, this could be a positive aspect, especially under the circumstances."war of sanctions"...when the lack of pressure from European authorities may have a positive effect.

Advantages of a residence permit

For example, obtaining a residence permit in Montenegro will limit you to living and traveling only within that country. In contrast, having a passport from one of the EU countries opens doors for residency in any state within the Union. This is one of the main advantages of citizenship in EU countries. However, it is important to remember the need to complete a number of administrative procedures:

• After exceeding the 90-day period, you need to register with the local authorities.
• Obtain the relevant document.

Rules for the registration of citizens in other countries

Similar rules apply in Switzerland, as well as in three countries of the European Economic Area: Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein. Having citizenship provides excellent opportunities for:

• Employment in 28 countries.
• Receiving education on the terms of local residents.
• Staying in Europe after finishing my studies.

This highlights the importance of considering the legal nuances that vary across different countries and require separate discussion.

Citizenship of Cyprus and Malta

For example, if you obtain citizenship of Cyprus or Malta, you will have free access to live and move around all the countries of the European Union, including Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein. We strongly recommend taking advantage of a free consultation with our specialist, who will provide the necessary information about the process of obtaining citizenship for the country you are highly interested in for your entire family.

Introduction

What is the current situation of the United Kingdom after its exit from the European Union, and how has it affected the rights of Europeans wishing to live in the UK? Answer: On June 23, 2016, a vote was held in which the residents of the UK expressed their desire to leave the European Union. The results of the referendum showed that 51.9% of voters supported Brexit, while 48.1% were against it.

Official notice of resignation

On March 29, 2017, Prime Minister Theresa May sent an official notification to Donald Tusk, the President of the European Council, regarding the start of the country's exit process from the EU. This exit phase will not happen instantly.

The process of leaving the European Union

The process of leaving the European Union according to the Lisbon Treaty consists of several significant steps. First and foremost, it is necessary to officially notify of the intention to leave the EU. At this stage, a series of negotiations begins, leading to the creation of a withdrawal agreement between the country wishing to leave and the European Union.

It is important to note that if an agreement is not reached, then two years after the notification is submitted, the country can unilaterally leave the EU. It should be emphasized that this right was not granted to member states in earlier versions of the treaties on the European Union.

Impact on the Schengen Area

Additionally, let's consider how a country's exit from the EU might affect its chances of joining the Schengen Area and when this could happen. Each country that is not yet part of the Schengen Agreement has its own reasons for this. For example:

• United Kingdom and IrelandThey are not considered as potential candidates for membership, as they have their own unique conditions.
• CyprusThe situation is more complicated here: there is an issue with territorial regulation regarding Northern Cyprus. The EU tells Cyprus: "Resolve the conflict or establish strict control at the border with the Turkish Republic of NorthernCyprus, and only then can you apply for Schengen membership."

At the moment, the chances of a timely resolution to this situation are extremely low; moreover, the authorities in Cyprus are against implementing strict border control. Therefore, it can be confidently stated that Cyprus will not become part of the Schengen Area in the near future.

The situation with Croatia

As for Croatia, it is the most recent member of the EU, having joined on July 1, 2013. Initially, it was expected that Croatia would join the Schengen Area in mid-2015, but that did not happen. The delays are likely related to issues arising from the flow of illegal migrants into Europe.

The difficulties of Bulgaria and Romania

Compared to Croatia,Bulgaria and RomaniaCountries that became part of the EU in 2007 have faced even more serious obstacles on their path to joining the Schengen Area. In recent years, Bulgaria has repeatedly anticipated that its inclusion in Schengen would be approved, particularly at the beginning of 2015. A similar situation also exists for Romania.

The main difficulties these countries face on their path to Schengen are that some other EU member states do not support their accession. Approval requires unanimous consent from all participating states. Rejections are often explained by minor successes in combating corruption and organized crime in these areas.

Broad aspects of the problem

In my opinion, the problem is much more complex. European partners have repeatedly revised their requirements and introduced new criteria, which creates additional difficulties for Bulgaria and Romania. To understand the full picture, it is enough to look at a map of Europe and assess the current geopolitical situation and internal issues of the countries seeking to become part of the Schengen area.

The road to integration involves not only meeting established conditions but also maintaining constant stability within the candidate countries themselves.

Conclusion

The conclusion of this article clarifies important aspects of the interaction between the European Union and the Schengen Area, as well as the procedures for obtaining residence permits and citizenship in these regions. As I mentioned, the mechanism that aligns the rights and freedoms of citizens in these two structures is quite complex, but at the same time, it opens up broad horizons for those who seek to mobilize their opportunities in Europe.

Advantages of obtaining a residence permit

Obtaining a residence permit in any of the countries within both zones offers significant advantages:

• Freedom of movement:the ability to travel within 26 Schengen countries for up to 90 days.
• Comfort of life:enjoy life and the opportunities in the country where you obtained your residence permit.

However, as the article shows, it is important to keep in mind the limits and peculiarities of each country, especially when it comes to the United Kingdom and Ireland, which have maintained their borders and independent immigration policies.

Obtaining citizenship

An important point is also the understanding thatobtaining citizenshipIn the European Union, it opens the doors to greater mobility and rights, including the right to:

• Work in all 28 countries.
• Education in schools and universities for citizens of the European Union.
• Living in Europe after graduation.

This is a decisive factor for everyone considering long-term prospects for living and working in Europe.

Conclusion

Finally, despite the current challenges and changes in the political and economic environment, Europe remains attractive to migrants and investors. I am convinced that in the future, interest in obtaining residence permits and citizenship will not decrease, especially in light of the growing number of opportunities and flexibility that this region offers.

For you, readers who wish to learn more about the process and conditions for obtaining citizenship or residence permits in the EU, I strongly recommend seeking advice from experts who can provide detailed information and support along the way.