In the European Union, you can live and work in any country without restrictions. You need to be a citizen of an EU member state or have legal residency for at least five years before applying for citizenship. However, there are many different ways to get this residency!
Here is what you need to know about getting a European Residency.
Find Out if you Need a Visa or Residence Permit
In general, non-EU citizens need a visa or residence permit to enter the European Union. This is where your country’s embassy can help you out! If you don’t have one of these documents yet – there are many different kinds, and it varies from country to country – I would recommend getting in touch with an agency specializing in visas. A Portugal golden visa is an excellent choice for citizens of third-world countries. The requirements are simple, and the application process is relatively straightforward, making it a great way to get a European residency!
I would also recommend that you check out your country’s embassy in Europe and contact somebody from the city where you want to live. They can help point you in the right direction and tell you if there are any special requirements. This way, you’ll have peace of mind that your documents are in order!
Get an ID Card
If you live in a country that doesn’t have an embassy in Europe, don’t worry! You can get a European ID card instead. This is the best way to prove your residency, and it’s accepted by banks when opening accounts and government institutions at all levels.
To apply for one of these cards, contact your local consulate or embassy to find where you can take your ID and what documents are needed. Often, they will not accept a driver’s license or other government-issued identification as proof of address!
In many countries – including the United Kingdom and France – non-EU citizens can get an “Electronic Residency Permit.” This document is similar to a European ID card and can be used in the same way.
Register your Address with the Police
In the European Union, it’s necessary to register your home address with local authorities. This process is different in every country and depends largely on how you’re planning to get a European residency!
For example, if you are getting a golden visa through investment or buying property, registering your address will be part of that process. However, if you’re getting a European residency through marriage, you will need to submit proof of your relationship with the person responsible for filling out the paperwork. Once again, it’s best to check in at your local consulate or embassy before starting this process!
Apply for a Social Security Number and Residency Permit
This is one of the most important steps to getting a European residency! Make sure that you register with your local social security office. It’s relatively easy – especially if you have an ID card or European Residency Permit already – but it can take some time, so please make sure to get this done as soon as possible!
Once you have your social security number, you can get a European residency permit. You’ll need to fill in an application form and send it off with the correct supporting documents (you can find out what these are on our website). Everything must be included- if any of the supporting documentation isn’t needed or anything is missing, then it’s unlikely that your application will be successful.
The European Residency Permit is valid for five years and can be renewed once this expires. This means that you’ll have a European residency for that period, but you’ll need to make sure that your visa is renewed on time, or else it will expire, and you might lose the right to live in a country.
Open a Bank Account in Your New Country of Residence
Having a European bank account is another important step to getting your residency permit! You’ll need one so that you can receive payments from the government, but also – even if it’s not essential- having one will really help with feeling settled. This means that wherever you are in Europe, make sure to open an account as soon as possible!
The bank account needs to be in your name, and you’ll need proof of address which is either an electricity bill or rental agreement. This isn’t always required for some banks, so it’s worth trying different ones until you find one that will accept just the ID card as enough documentation.
Once opened, make sure to check your bank account regularly. Some banks have a monthly fee which you’ll need to pay if there’s not enough money in the account, and it can be easy to forget about this until the bill comes through!
Learn How to Get Around by Public Transit, Bike, Car, or Walking
When you move to a new city, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by how much to explore. This can be especially difficult if you’re not used to driving on the left-hand side of the road or only having one type of transportation available!
Whichever mode of transport you choose – whether that’s biking around in an electric scooter or driving around in a car – you’ll need to get used to the rules of the road and must always be prepared for your trips. For example, if there are no traffic lights, then it’s important that you only go when other cars have gone first and make sure to stop at any zebra crossings! And even something as simple as knowing which side of the street people drive on can be confusing, so make sure to ask about that if you’re not too sure.
It might seem daunting at first, especially for those who haven’t lived in a city before- but it’s important to practice and get used to it just like anything else!
There are many things to consider when it comes to the process of trying to get European residency. It can be difficult and overwhelming, but as long as you know what questions to ask yourself before starting your application, it should go smoothly. We hope this article has helped answer some of your questions about how citizenship in Europe works! If there is anything else we can help with, please don’t hesitate to reach out!
