Second-generation immigrants (Greece-born children of immigrants) should be eligible to become Greek by declaration if their parents have lived in Greece for eight years. A similar system exists in France and Belgium.
* Third-generation immigrants (the Greece-born grandchildren of immigrants) should acquire Greek citizenship automatically at birth. "This is the case in most European countries,"
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Ranking European countries' naturalisation policies
Unfavourable
Greece Immigrants must prove 10 years of legal and continuous residence in the country in the 12 years prior to submitting their application. They must also pay a hefty 1,500 euro non-refundable application fee, and they must pass a vague "good character" test. The Greece-born children of immigrants face additional requirements in order to naturalise. No matter how many years they have been naturalised, their nationality is not protected from withdrawal, even if it would leave them stateless.
Austria The situation has worsened since 2004. Most legal immigrants are eligible after 10 years. Their application may be rejected on many grounds, including repeated drink-driving offences. Children and grandchildren born in Austria are only eligible to become citizens through facilitated naturalisation.
Cyprus Immigrants must wait eight years. Spouses of Cypriots are eligible after three years. Second-generation immigrants must go through the same naturalisation procedure as their parents. All applicants must demonstrate a "good character". Officials enjoy a great deal of discretion. Most applicants are rejected in practice because of their poor Greek language skills, income or criminal record.
Czech Republic Only longterm residents are eligible after five years. This means 10 years total. The second- and third-generation (Czech-born children and grandchildren of immigrants) must also naturalise to become citizens. The state rejects applicants if it deems their income, level of integration or civic conduct is not good enough.
Denmark Most immigrants must live in Denmark for nine years, although Nordic citizens may apply after two years. The Denmark-born children and grandchildren of immigrants (the second and third generation) also face extra conditions, like a written language and citizenship test and stringent checks on their criminal record and income.
Estonia Only permanent residents are eligible after five years. No children born in the country to non-Estonians can be dual nationals. Naturalised citizens can have their passports withdrawn at any time, even if they have no other citizenship.
Finland Immigrants may apply after six years of continuous residence. The Finland-born descendants of migrants must still fulfil conditions to become Finnish citizens. They must pass checks on their use of the language, income, criminal records and "good character".
Germany Most immigrants must be longterm residents for eight years before they are eligible. Their children and grandchildren must fulfil additional requirements before becoming citizens. They must pass a language exam, integration test, criminal record check and must prove they have sufficient income.
Hungary First-generation immigrants are eligible after eight years of residence, while spouses of Hungarians may have to wait up to six years, depending on years of marriage and residence. In addition to being born in the country, migrants' children and grandchildren must fulfil additional requirements to become citizens of Hungary.
Italy First-generation immigrants are eligible after 10 years of uninterrupted residence, which would shorten to five under new draft legislation. The bill would also introduce the concept of jus soli, whereby Italy-born children would automatically be citizens but only if their immigrant parents are longterm residents who can prove an adequate income.
Latvia Immigrants who are already longterm residents must wait a further five years to be eligible for citizenship. Their children and grandchildren must also wait, unless they were born in Latvia after independence and fulfil many other criteria. They have to pass a high-level oral and written language test, and a citizenship test on the constitution and the text of the national anthem.
Lithuania Immigrants are only eligible for nationality after 10 years of permanent residence. Spouses of nationals must be married and have lived in Lithuania for five years. The Lithuania-born children of migrants can become Lithuanian citizens if they apply before the age of 15.
Malta The law limits naturalisation to children and descendants of those who are, were or became Maltese citizens. Without that connection, immigrants can only naturalise if the government decides they are eligible based on humanitarian grounds.
Poland An immigrant must live in Poland for at least five years as a permanent resident, which means waiting at least 10 years total. Even their Poland-born children and grandchildren must meet various requirements to become citizens.
Portugal First-generation immigrants may apply for citizenship after six years. Conditions have become more favourable. Immigrants used to have to wait 10 years.
Slovakia Most immigrants must be longterm residents for five years to be eligible for Slovak citizenship, which means waiting for at least 10 total.
Slovenia Usually, immigrants must have lived in Slovenia for 10 years, though a facilitated naturalisation procedure provides a shortcut for refugees, stateless people and graduates of Slovenian universities.
Spain Unless they belong to preferred groups like spouses of nationals, refugees or citizens of former colonies, immigrants must have lived in Spain for 10 years. The state allows their children and grandchildren born in Spain to apply for citizenship, without additional conditions. However, they are not automatically Spanish at birth.
Halfway to best practice
France Most first-generation immigrants can naturalise after five years, while French university graduates can do so after two. The France-born children of immigrants can become French by declaration when they turn 18, as long as they have lived in France for five of the past seven years.
Ireland Most first-generation immigrants are eligible for citizenship after five years, though refugees can apply after three. As of January 2005, the Irish-born children of immigrants are no longer automatically Irish citizens. Their citizenship depends upon the residence status of their parents, who must have lived legally in Ireland for a minimum of three of the four years preceding the child's birth.
Luxembourg Most first-generation immigrants are only eligible for citizenship after they have lived continuously in the country for five years. Their children and grandchildren are not automatically Luxembourgish but must pass additional requirements.
Netherlands The spouses of nationals are eligible for citizenship sooner than partners/co-habitees or other first-generation immigrants. Applicants can be refused nationality for not attending the new mandatory Naturalisation Day ceremony.
Sweden Although Sweden's nationality score is the highest of the Mipex countries, significant improvements are needed. A Swede's spouse can apply after less than three years of residence. Nordic citizens can apply after two years. All other first-generation immigrants must wait five. Immigrants' descendants are not automatically Swedish at birth; they can apply for citizenship before the age of 15 if their parents are longterm residents, or if they are between the ages of 15-18 once they have lived in Sweden for three years.
United Kingdom First-generation immigrants are eligible after five years; spouses and civil partners of British citizens are eligible after just three. The UK-born children and grandchildren of immigrants can become British citizens at birth or register later depending on their parents' status.
Best practice
Belgium Immigrants must meet a three-year residence requirement. Children under the age of 12 can become Belgian by declaration if both parents have lived in Belgium for 10 years. Any children who would be stateless become Belgians automatically at birth. The third generation is automatically Belgian if one parent born in Belgium has lived there for at least five of the 10 years before their birth.