Citizenship through marriage is one of the easiest ways to become a passport holder of an EU member state. However, the procedures and timeframe for obtaining citizenship or residency rights in an EU country through marriage depend on the individual country's citizenship and immigration laws, which vary across the bloc.

Citizenship by marriage is one of the easiest ways to become a passport holder of an EU member state.

However, the procedures and duration for obtaining citizenship or residency rights in EU countries through marriage depend on the nationality and immigration laws of the individual member states, which vary across the bloc. There are some general guidelines that apply in most bloc countries, including, according to European media, that one spouse must be a legal citizen of an EU member state. This allows the non-EU spouse to apply for citizenship or residency based on marriage. The non-EU spouse must first obtain residency rights in the EU country where the spouse is a legal citizen. A residence permit allows the non-EU spouse to live legally in that country.

A non-EU spouse will be eligible to apply for citizenship after residing in an EU country for a specified period. While in most EU countries, the norm for non-EU citizens is to cohabit with their EU partners for at least three years, in some other countries, this process can be completed for a shorter or longer period, depending on the EU country to which the non-EU citizens are moving. Non-EU citizens married to a Spanish citizen are eligible to obtain citizenship within just one year. If the person is not married to a Spanish citizen, they may have to wait more than ten years before qualifying for Spanish citizenship. However, obtaining citizenship through marriage in Spain is among the quickest and easiest ways to do so. However, the Spanish partner must live in the country during those 12 months.

In many EU countries, non-EU citizens are required to live in a particular country for three years after marriage.

Currently, this rule is applied in France, Greece, Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, and Sweden.

Five years of residence to obtain citizenship in these countries: Belgium, Czech Republic, Estonia, Iceland, Malta, Norway, Slovakia.

Other countries apply different rules. For example, in  Latvia, a non-EU partner must have lived there for at least seven years. In other countries, such as Hungary and Latvia , the required period of residence is longer.

However, some countries do not offer non-EU citizens the opportunity to obtain citizenship through marriage, such as  Finland.

“If your spouse lives permanently in Finland, you may be eligible for a residence permit in Finland on the basis of marriage. However, marriage does not guarantee a residence permit,” Info Finland said in a statement.

Here are the 7 easiest countries in Europe and the world to obtain citizenship through marriage.

Some countries offer fast-track citizenship to foreign nationals who marry their citizens.

Marriage can provide a quick path to a new passport and dual citizenship, but usually requires proof of a genuine relationship and sometimes involves specific cultural expectations.

Here's a guide to five countries where marrying a local citizen could quickly change your nationality and identity in 2025:

Spain:

Marrying a Spanish citizen can make obtaining Spanish citizenship easier and faster.

While you don't automatically get citizenship through marriage, it is one of the fastest paths available.

Main requirements for obtaining citizenship by marriage:

To apply for Spanish citizenship, you must be married to a Spanish citizen and live together in Spain for at least one year, and you will need to meet several requirements, including passing the DELE A2 language exam and the CCSE culture exam.

In addition, you must provide a valid passport, marriage certificate, proof of financial means, and a criminal record check.

You must also prove that you have lived with your spouse at the same registered address in Spain for the required period.

Application process and final steps:

After meeting the requirements and living in Spain for one year, you can submit your application. The authorities will review your documents and may request additional information. If approved, you will be granted Spanish citizenship.

Argentina:

There are two main ways to obtain Argentine citizenship: by birth (for children of Argentine citizens) or by naturalization.

Naturalization requires either living in Argentina for two years, marrying an Argentine citizen, or having a child born in Argentina.

Requirements for obtaining citizenship by naturalization:

To apply for citizenship by naturalization, you must be over 18 years old and have lived in Argentina for two years, or be married to an Argentine citizen or the parent of a child born in Argentina.

You will need several documents, such as birth and marriage certificates, criminal record certificates, proof of residence, and financial means.

Application process:

Once your documents are ready, submit them to the court (Juzgado Civil) for processing, and after fingerprinting and court approvals, you will receive your Carta de Ciudadanía (Citizenship Approval).

From there, you can apply for your ID card and passport. This process may take several months, but once completed, Argentine citizenship becomes permanent.

Brazil:

To obtain Brazilian citizenship through marriage, you must meet the general requirements for regular naturalization, not simply marry a Brazilian.

While marriage can reduce the time required for naturalization, all necessary steps must be followed.

Steps to apply for naturalization:

1. Obtain a visa to enter Brazil (if necessary).
2. Apply for a residence permit and wait for approval.
3. If permanent residence is not granted immediately, apply within the required time.
4. Live in Brazil for one year while married to a Brazilian.
5. Apply for naturalization.

time frame:

The process of obtaining Brazilian citizenship takes up to 180 days from the date of application, as stipulated in Decree 9199/2017.

This period may be extended if further action is required by the Ministry of Justice.

Italy:

A foreign spouse of an Italian citizen can apply for Italian citizenship after meeting certain requirements and completing the application process.

The procedure varies depending on whether the couple resides in Italy or abroad.

Eligibility and Requirements:

Residency requirements: A foreign spouse can apply after two years of marriage if they reside in Italy, or three years if they reside abroad. The period is halved if the couple has children under the age of 18.

Basic conditions:

The marriage must be registered at the town hall in Italy.

The Italian spouse must be registered with the consulate or embassy as an Italian citizen residing abroad (AIRE).

Required documents:

1. Italian language certificate: Obtain this certificate before any other documents. Acceptable evidence includes a language certificate at level B1 from institutions such as the Università per Stranieri di Siena or the Società Dante Alighieri.
2. Marriage and birth certificates: Submit the original marriage certificate (Estratto per riassunto dai registri di matrimonio) and a translated and certified birth certificate.
3. Criminal Record and Background Check: Provide a certificate of good conduct from your country of origin and any previous countries of residence since the age of 14.
4. Other documents: Include a receipt for payment of the 250 euro fee, proof of identity (passport), and proof of residence (eg, utility bill).

How to apply:

1. Apply online: Register on the Ministry of Interior's portal, complete the application form, and upload the required documents.
2. Submitting the printed copy: After applying online, submit the original documents and payment to the consultant.

Processing time: The process may take up to 48 months from the date the online application is accepted.

Mexico:

As the spouse of a Mexican citizen, you can apply for temporary residence immediately after providing proof of your marriage and your spouse's ability to financially support you in Mexico.

After one year, your temporary residency can be renewed for a second year, and in the third year, you can apply for permanent residency or Mexican citizenship.

Main advantages of naturalization:

• Property rights: Purchase of property in restricted areas without the need for a fideicomiso.
• Voting Rights: Getting the Right to Vote in Mexico.
• No Immigration Renewal Fee: Avoid additional costs for status changes or residency renewals.
• Work rights: Work without the need for an employer's certificate (Constancia de emmplador).
• Dual Citizenship: Hold dual citizenship if permitted by your country of origin.

Mexican citizenship requirements:

1. Residency: Live in Mexico for at least two years before applying.
2. Documents: Submit original copies of your passport, ID card, residence card, birth certificate (certified or notarized), marriage certificate, and criminal record check.
3. Language: Demonstrate basic Spanish language proficiency, knowledge of Mexican history and culture, and integration into Mexican society.
4. Application Form: Complete the required application form and pay the application fee.
5. Interview and Test: Attend an interview and pass a basic Spanish language test unless you are over 60 years old.

Processing time: It takes approximately 4 to 6 months to process your application.

France:

A spouse of a French citizen can apply for French citizenship through marriage, whether living in France or abroad, if they meet the following requirements.

Main eligibility criteria:

1. Duration of marriage: Married for at least 4 years (5 years if you live abroad without registering your French spouse at the consulate).
2. Residence requirements: You must live with your French spouse financially and physically since marriage.
3. Proof of French nationality: The French spouse must be a French citizen at the time of marriage.
4. Language requirements: Proof of French language proficiency (oral and written) at level B1 must be demonstrated.

Required documents:

1. Marriage certificate: If you were married abroad, it must be registered in the French civil registry.
2. Criminal Record: You must provide a clean record from the countries you have lived in during the past ten years.
3. Translation and Certification: Documents from foreign authorities must be translated into French and, if necessary, certified or legalized.

Colombia:

Obtaining Colombian citizenship through marriage is simple by following the right steps.

Here is an overview of the process:

1. Obtaining a marriage certificate: You must be married to a Colombian citizen.
2. Visa Application: Apply for an immigrant visa as the spouse of a Colombian citizen.
3. Residence Application: After meeting the residence requirements, apply for a residence visa.
4. Language and Cultural Tests: Pass the required tests to become a Colombian citizen.

Eligibility and Application Process:

You must be married to a Colombian citizen and have held a type R residence visa for at least two years.

There is no age requirement for citizenship, but the process requires obtaining an immigration visa for three years before applying for residency.

Submission:

To apply for a marriage visa, gather documents such as your passport, marriage certificate, your spouse's ID card, and a notarized power of attorney.

Submit these documents through the Cancileria website, whether you are applying inside or outside Colombia.

Linguistic and cultural proficiency:

To obtain citizenship, you must pass a test in Colombian history, geography, and constitutional law.

Non-native Spanish speakers must demonstrate proficiency in Spanish.

Those who are 65 years of age or older, or who hold a Colombian university degree, may be exempt from some requirements.

You can travel to these countries for many reasons, whether for education, work, or participation in summits and conferences.