Pathways to Citizenship in 2025

Pathways to citizenship in 2025 reflect a growing emphasis on skilled migration, humanitarian protection, and integration benchmarks across many countries.

Citizenship policies around the world continue to shift in 2025. While some countries are easing the path to naturalization, others are tightening their rules — with stricter residency requirements, tougher descent criteria, or the end of fast-track options. Below are some of the most notable changes affecting citizenship acquisition right now, and what these shifts mean for prospective citizens.

1. Portugal: Tightening Naturalization Rules

• Portugal is doubling its residency requirement for most citizenship applicants—from 5 to 10 years.
• For Portuguese-speaking nationals (e.g., from Brazil, Angola, Mozambique), the requirement is slightly lower: 7 years.
• New integration criteria will include language tests, civic knowledge, and a demonstration of commitment to democratic values.
• These changes mark a significant shift in Portugal’s traditionally more open citizenship policy.

Impact: These reforms make it more difficult for long-term residents to gain citizenship quickly, particularly those who expected to naturalize after just a few years.

2. Germany: Ending the Fast-Track and Raising the Bar

• Germany has ended its “fast-track” citizenship pathway, which previously allowed certain highly integrated individuals to naturalize after only 3 years of residence.
• The standard minimum residence requirement is now 5 years for naturalization in most cases.
• However, Germany still offers more favorable terms for dual citizenship, helping attract skilled workers.
• In conjunction with these changes, Germany has also restricted fast-track citizenship tied to exceptional integration.

Impact: Individuals who were counting on fast-track naturalization will need to adjust their timelines, but dual citizenship opportunities remain relatively favorable for some.

3. Italy: Tougher Rules for Citizenship by Descent

• Italy’s new Law 74/2025 introduces stricter “genuine link” requirements for those applying for citizenship by descent (jus sanguinis).
• Automatic citizenship is now limited to children with a parent or grandparent born in Italy, eliminating claims through more distant ancestors.
• Applicants may also face new residency requirements in Italy or need to demonstrate meaningful connections.
• In addition, many Italian municipalities are raising the fees associated with citizenship documentation (e.g., birth certificates) to discourage excessive applications.

Impact: The changes significantly restrict who can apply for Italian citizenship through ancestry — particularly affecting descendants who lived abroad and whose connections to Italy are more distant.

4. Sweden: Stricter Naturalization Conditions

• Sweden has raised its naturalization requirement: the residency period now extends from 5 to 8 years for many applicants.
• New rules will also limit citizenship for people who have previously received social benefits, requiring them to be self-sufficient for a period before applying.
• Additional “character” and integration checks are being introduced, including a media literacy test to ensure applicants understand Swedish society and values.

Impact: These changes raise the bar significantly for long-term residents seeking Swedish citizenship, especially for those who have relied on public assistance.

5. Canada: Strengthening Citizenship‑by‑Descent Rules

• Canada is updating its Citizenship Act to tighten citizenship by descent.
• Under the new rules, a Canadian parent born outside Canada must have spent 1,095 days (3 years) in Canada within any 5-year period before their child’s birth for automatic citizenship to pass.
• Adults (18–55) applying for citizenship by descent will need to meet language and civic knowledge requirements, plus security and admissibility checks.

Impact: These changes make it harder for people born abroad to Canadian parents to automatically gain citizenship, placing more emphasis on genuine ties to Canada.

6. Citizenship‑by‑Investment Programs: A Shrinking Option

• Golden Visa and citizenship-by-investment programs are being scaled back globally: Spain, Cyprus, and Bulgaria have ended or reformed their programs.
• Malta’s ‘Golden Passport’ scheme is under intense EU scrutiny, and there is growing pressure to dismantle or significantly reform it.
• While some Caribbean and other nations still offer investment-based citizenship, tighter regulations and due-diligence requirements are making these programs more burdensome and less attractive.

Impact: High-net-worth individuals exploring citizenship via investment need to act cautiously, as many programs now face legal and regulatory reforms.

7. Ukraine: Dual Citizenship Legalized

• In 2025, Ukraine legalized multiple citizenship, officially allowing Ukrainians to hold dual or even multiple nationalities.
• This move is seen as part of a demographic and migration strategy, especially given Ukraine’s geopolitical situation.

Impact: For emigrants and diaspora communities, this reform provides greater flexibility and security in maintaining ties to Ukraine while becoming citizens elsewhere.

What These Trends Mean for Citizenship Seekers

• Naturalization is becoming more demanding in several European states, particularly in Portugal, Sweden, and Italy.
• Fast-track or quick citizenship routes are disappearing, especially in Germany and through investment programs.
• Citizenship by descent is being re-centered around “genuine connection”, rather than automatic inheritance.
• Countries are prioritizing integration, self-sufficiency, and national loyalty over easy access.
• Dual citizenship policies are being re-evaluated: some nations loosen restrictions (like Germany), while others tighten who qualifies (Italy, Canada).

How to Navigate Citizenship Applications in 2025

1. Review Residency Requirements: Before applying, verify how long you must live in a country under the new rules.
2. Assess Your Ties: Make sure you can demonstrate meaningful connection (residency, language, civic integration).
3. Prepare Documentation: Citizenship applications now require more proof—residency history, language, financial stability.
4. Time Your Application: Changes are rolling out quickly. If you qualify under older rules, applying sooner may benefit you.
5. Seek Expert Help: Immigration lawyers or citizenship consultants can help navigate complex reforms and procedural changes.

2025 is shaping up to be a pivotal year for citizenship policy around the world. While some countries are easing access for long-term residents, others are reinforcing citizenship as a privilege tied to integration, contribution, and genuine connection.

If citizenship is part of your long-term plan, now is the time to review your options closely, understand the new rules, and move strategically.