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Citizenship paths, compared.
How long it takes to naturalize, whether you can keep your passport, and which ancestry routes still work after the 2025 and 2026 changes.
Two big changes. Portugal raised its residence requirement for citizenship from 5 to 10 years for most nationalities, for applications filed on or after 19 May 2026. Italy limited citizenship by descent in 2025 to people with a parent or grandparent born in Italy.
Your home country lets you keep it
The US, the UK and Australia all allow dual citizenship. So the question is what the new country allows.
Naturalization by country
| Country | Usual residence needed | Dual citizenship? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portugal | 10 years (7 for EU and Portuguese-speaking nationals) | Yes | For applications filed on or after 19 May 2026. Permanent residence is still possible after 5 years. Language test at A2. |
| Spain | 10 years | Generally asks you to renounce | Shorter for nationals of Latin American countries, not for the US, UK or Australia |
| Italy | 10 years | Yes | Spouses of Italian citizens: 2 years living in Italy, or 3 abroad |
| France | 5 years | Yes | Language and integration test |
| Greece | 7 years | Yes | Language and civics exam |
| Germany | 5 years | Yes, since June 2024 | Language at B1 |
| Ireland | 5 years within the last 9 | Yes | Or by descent if a grandparent was born in Ireland |
| Mexico | 5 years | Yes | Spanish and history test |
Checked Oct 2026. Rules on counting years, language levels and exceptions vary. Confirm with the official source before you plan around a date.
Citizenship by descent
Ireland
If a grandparent was born in Ireland, you can register through the Foreign Births Register. If a parent was born there, you're likely already Irish. It's one of the most valuable routes for Americans and Australians, and it gives you an EU passport.
Italy
Since March 2025, people born abroad with another citizenship qualify automatically only if a parent or grandparent was born in Italy. Great-grandparent claims mostly stopped working. Italy's courts have upheld the new limit, and a question about it is now before the EU Court of Justice.
Portugal
Children of a Portuguese citizen qualify. Grandchildren can apply with proof of real ties to Portugal.
UK Ancestry visa (for Australians)
Not citizenship, but a 5-year UK work visa for Commonwealth citizens with a grandparent born in the UK. It can lead to settlement.