“British nationals are sure to miss out but there’re some detours to take”
The European Union referendum has created quite a buzz around the world whereas the polls have shown Britain on the verge of departing. One of the biggest advantages of EU citizenship is freedom to live and work anywhere across the member countries. Other benefits are ease of business set-up anywhere on the land, visa-free travel to many countries and reap full benefits of public services like commoners. As the chance of Britain leaving European Union grows after the referendum, there’re some other legal ways to retain citizenship. Here they are;
1. Irish ancestry
More or less 10 percent individuals in the UK have their ancestry linked to Ireland. If you’re one of the lucky ones and seriously wish to retain the EU nationality, Ireland has quite welcoming rules for people with Irish heritage. The rules are applicable even if parents aren’t Irish however, complicated for everyone to comprehend. The first step is subscribing to Ireland’s foreign births register.
Moving to Ireland for nationality isn’t compulsory but doing so would indeed make an extension giving you freedom of movement across the member countries. As Ireland accepts dual citizenship, you don’t need to renounce your British passport. Many other countries also have identical ancestry schemes so do check homeland policies of your parents and grandparents.
2. The Estonia’s e-residency plan
A key player when it comes to advance technology, Estonia introduced the “e-residency” programme in 2015. Through the scheme, people living anywhere around the world are able to receive Estonian government ID and special category residency.
Although the programme isn’t the ultimate gateway to Estonian citizenship or even proper living rights in the country, there’re some benefits. If you crave keeping the Estonian residency and passport for business reasons, the e-residency is the key to incorporate an Estonian firm. It’ll eventually be an extension of an EU company vesting full rights to commence trade in member states.
3. Investment of two million pounds to Cyprus
If you’re absolutely eager to keep the EU citizenship at any cost, then a substantial sum of two million pounds must be invested in Cyprus. Doing so will grant you EU and Cypriot citizenship whereas, the Naturalisation by Exception programme states that local Cypriot government will make you a naturalised citizen that is, if you could spare tons of money.
Purchasing 2.5 million euros in the government bonds will also do the job and so as buying assets of the same financial worth or, contributing in major infrastructure projects. There isn’t any need for actual residency to exploit full benefit of the programme.
4. Marry an EU citizen
If your spouse is a legal citizen of another EU country, you might be worried about losing the citizenship. However, most member states have relaxed laws for acquiring nationality and live in their country for a few years (at-least till everything’s registered properly). After successful completion of the period, you’re eligible even if haven’t visited the country ever.
Conclusion
Apart from the ways defined above, studying abroad or moving to another country for the next five years are some other alternative routes to take. And that’s how you can save your EU citizenship even after the British Exit from EU.
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