European Citizenship & Residency News
English briefings for the European citizenship and residency tracks hosted on Prep2Go.
Published
Monthly update on May 2026: Portugal's New Nationality Law Extends Citizenship Timeline to 7 Years
Portugal's President has signed a new Nationality Law extending the residency requirement for citizenship from 5 to 7 years. The change has prompted lawsuits from Golden Visa investors and a strategic shift toward PR.
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Monthly update on May 2026: Sweden Extends Citizenship Wait to 8 Years as Finland Tightens Residency Rules
Sweden has officially passed a law extending the naturalisation wait time to eight years. Meanwhile, Finland is introducing strict income thresholds and language requirements for family reunification and student visas.
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Monthly update on May 2026: Portugal Doubles Citizenship Timeline: What the 2026 Nationality Law Means for Investors
Portugal's President has signed a new Nationality Law doubling the naturalisation timeline to 10 years. Set to take effect in April 2026, the changes leave pending Golden Visa applicants hoping for exemptions.
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Monthly update on May 2026: Sweden Extends Citizenship to 8 Years While Finland Tightens Income Rules
Sweden is extending its citizenship residency requirement to eight years and applying new rules retroactively. Meanwhile, Finland is raising income thresholds for family reunification and tying benefits to integration.
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Monthly update on April 2026: Spain Updates 2026 Digital Nomad Visa Rules Amid Processing Delays
Spain has released updated 2026 guidelines for its Digital Nomad Visa, clarifying income and tax rules. Meanwhile, a new migrant legalization program is causing significant bureaucratic delays across municipalities.
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Monthly update on April 2026: Spain's Mass Legalization Triggers Strikes and Visa Delays
Spain's new mass legalization program has overwhelmed immigration systems, leading to staff strikes and political clashes. Expats and investors should expect significant processing delays for all visa types.
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Monthly update on April 2026: Portugal Nationality Law Awaits President's Approval Amid Golden Visa Audit Calls
Portugal's nationality law amendments await presidential approval, potentially changing the five-year naturalization countdown. Meanwhile, AIMA claims processing improvements despite ongoing biometric slot shortages.
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Monthly update on April 2026: Finland Proposes Citizenship Test & Sweden Tightens Residence Rules
Scandinavian countries are tightening immigration policies. Finland plans a mandatory citizenship test, while Sweden introduces strict "honest lifestyle" requirements for residence permits.
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Monthly update on April 2026: Spain's 500K Migrant Amnesty & Extranjería Strike to Delay Visas
Spain is launching a historic legalization program for 500,000 undocumented migrants in April 2026. Combined with an indefinite strike by immigration officials, investors face severe processing delays.
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Monthly update on April 2026: Portugal Citizenship Delays Hit 40 Months Amid Strict New Laws
Portugal's parliament has passed a strict new citizenship law, while AIMA processing times now exceed 40 months. However, Golden Visa investors gain financial flexibility with new bank guarantee rules.
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Monthly update on April 2026: Finland Bans Non-Biometric Passports as Schengen Prepares for EES
Starting June 1, 2026, Finland will ban non-biometric Russian passports. Meanwhile, Finnish unions push for better expat protections, and the Schengen area prepares for the digital EES border system.
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Monthly update on April 2026: Spain Ends Real Estate Golden Visa While Legalizing 500K Migrants
Spain has officially closed its real estate Golden Visa program while launching an amnesty for undocumented workers. Investors must now pivot to startup or digital nomad visas, or look to alternatives like Hungary.
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Monthly update on April 2026: Portugal Passes New Citizenship Law: CPLP Timeline Extended to 7 Years
Portugal's parliament has approved a new Citizenship Law, extending the timeline for CPLP applicants to seven years and removing transitional periods. The Golden Visa path remains, but details are pending.
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Monthly update on April 2026: Nordic Immigration: Finland Cuts Benefits & Denmark's Strict Model Gains Traction
Finland restricts social benefits for expired residence permits as its immigration boom slows. Meanwhile, Denmark's strict integration policies are becoming a model for Europe amid global citizenship delays.
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Monthly update on April 2026: Spain to End Golden Visa Amid 500K Migrant Legalization
Spain is preparing to close its Golden Visa program while simultaneously launching a massive legalization plan for 500,000 undocumented migrants, causing severe processing delays.
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Monthly update on March 2026: Portugal Tightens Migration Rules While Golden Visa Funds Thrive
Portugal has introduced stricter immigration and deportation measures, but the Golden Visa remains strong. Investors are flocking to investment funds despite ongoing AIMA delays and debates over citizenship timelines.
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Monthly update on March 2026: Portugal Golden Visa Thrives Despite AIMA Delays & Reform Rumors
Portugal's Golden Visa remains a top global choice for investors despite severe AIMA processing delays and unconfirmed rumors of citizenship law changes.
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Monthly update on March 2026: Sweden Debates Citizenship Rules as Finland Faces Migrant Job Shortages
Sweden considers transitional rules for its upcoming citizenship law while tightening internal migration controls. Meanwhile, Finland's tough job market is driving away young migrants amid stricter EU deportation policies.