From the rolling hills of Tuscany to the vibrant streets of Lisbon, more and more Americans are setting their sights on a second passport in Europe, whether it’s through ancestry, investment, or naturalization. But with rising interest comes rising confusion. The internet is flooded with half-truths and outdated advice, leading many to believe that European citizenship is either impossible, instant, or only for the elite.

In reality, gaining European citizenship is more accessible than many Americans think, especially if you know how to separate myth from fact. 

Understanding European Citizenship: The Basics Americans Need to Know

Before diving into the myths surrounding European citizenship, it’s important to clarify two key terms often confused or used interchangeably: the European Union (EU) and the Schengen Zone.

The European Union is a political and economic union of 27 countries that work together under shared laws and policies. Citizenship in any EU country automatically grants you the rights of EU citizenship, including the ability to live, work, and study across any other EU member state with minimal restrictions.

The Schengen Zone, on the other hand, is a travel agreement between 29 European countries (not all of which are in the EU). It allows border-free movement of people across member countries, much like traveling between U.S. states. However, holding a visa or residency in a Schengen country does not grant you the same rights as holding EU citizenship.

This distinction is crucial because when it comes to long-term residence, work rights, and the ability to apply for citizenship, your legal status in the EU matters far more than just being allowed to travel freely.

 In this article, we debunk the most common misconceptions holding people back and offer clarity on what it really takes to become a citizen of the EU.

Myth #1: An EU Passport Only Lets You Live and Work in That One Country

If you hold citizenship in any EU country, whether through descent or naturalization, you automatically become an EU citizen. This gives you the right to live, work, and move freely across all 27 EU countries. The confusion often comes from residency permits, like Portugal’s Golden Visa. These only let you live in that specific country not across the EU. You’ll need to first become a citizen to unlock full EU rights.

The good news? Countries like Portugal allow you to apply for citizenship after just 5 years with very low physical presence requirements (through their Golden Visa program), making it one of the fastest and most flexible pathways to full EU citizenship.

As confirmed by Germany’s Federal Ministry of the Interior EU citizens enjoy freedom of movement and can live and work in any EU country.

Myth #2: Holding EU Citizenship Means I’ll Be Double-Taxed in Europe and the U.S.

Not necessarily. Just because you hold citizenship in an EU country doesn’t mean you’ll automatically be taxed there—especially if you don’t live there full-time.

Most EU countries only require you to pay income taxes if you’re a tax resident, which typically means spending 183 or more days in that country in a calendar year. If you're not living there that long, you likely won’t owe local income tax even if you’re a citizen.

As an American, however, you must file U.S. taxes no matter where you live, since the U.S. taxes its citizens on worldwide income. But that doesn't always mean you'll owe more money. If you live abroad and meet either the Physical Presence Test (330 full days outside the U.S. in a 12-month period) or Bona Fide Residence Test, you may qualify for the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (FEIE)—which lets you exclude up to $126,500 (for 2024) of foreign-earned income from your U.S. taxable income. You can also claim Foreign Tax Credits to offset what you’ve already paid abroad.

At Immigration Diligence, we always recommend consulting with a qualified international tax advisor who understands the tax laws in both the U.S. and your EU country of citizenship or residency.

Myth #3: Investing in a Golden Visa Program Will Directly Grant You EU Citizenship or a Passport

False. Golden Visa programs do not offer citizenship or a passport upfront. They typically grant residency rights only, often in the form of a temporary or permanent residence permit. While this is a significant first step, citizenship is a separate process that comes much later, and usually requires you to meet strict criteria such as minimum residency, language proficiency, and integration.

For example, Portugal’s Golden Visa grants you a 5-year renewable residency permit, but you’re only eligible to apply for citizenship after five years and only if you meet the minimum stay requirement (currently just 7 days per year) and pass a basic Portuguese language test. Until you complete that process, you cannot enjoy the full rights of EU citizenship, such as the freedom to live and work in other EU countries.

Not sure if a Golden Visa is right for you?

We help American families understand which residency and citizenship options align with their goals without wasting time or money. Book a free consultation now.

Myth #4: All EU Country Passports Provide Identical Benefits Worldwide

False. While all EU citizens have the same rights to live, work, and travel freely within the European Union, not all EU passports offer the same global travel privileges. Each country maintains its own diplomatic relationships and visa waiver agreements, which directly impact how many countries their passport holders can visit without a visa.

For instance, data from the European Commission’s EU Visa Policy Overview and international visa statistics shows that:

• German, Spanish, and French passport holders enjoy visa-free access to over 190 countries, thanks to strong international relations.
  
  
• Meanwhile, passports from countries like Croatia or Bulgaria, while still powerful, may offer access to fewer countries without prior visa arrangements.

This means your global mobility, especially for travel to non-EU countries like the U.S., Australia, or China, will depend on which country issued your EU passport.

Myth #5: All EU Countries Allow Dual Citizenship with the United States
False. Not all EU countries allow dual citizenship — and even among those that do, there are often strict conditions or exceptions.

While many EU countries such as France, Ireland, Italy, and Portugal do permit dual citizenship, others either restrict it significantly or prohibit it outright unless specific exemptions apply:

• Spain generally does not allow dual citizenship, except with select Latin American countries, Andorra, the Philippines, and a few others.
  
  
• The Netherlands permits dual citizenship only in limited cases, such as being born with multiple nationalities or being married to a Dutch citizen.
  
  
• Austria and Estonia typically do not permit dual citizenship, though Austria occasionally grants it by special government decree (especially for individuals of extraordinary merit or heritage).

Each country also has different rules on when you must declare or renounce your existing citizenship, so it’s crucial to understand what you're agreeing to before starting your application.

For a comprehensive list of EU member states and their stance on dual citizenship, see the European Union Democracy Observatory on Citizenship (EUDO) — an academic research network tracking global nationality law.

Myth #6: Getting EU Citizenship Is Quick, Cheap, and Easy

Absolutely not. The idea that European citizenship is a fast, simple, or low-cost process is one of the biggest misconceptions among Americans and one that can lead to frustration and wasted time if you're not prepared.

Let’s break it down:

• Citizenship by Descent (Ancestry):
  While it may sound straightforward — “I have an Italian grandparent, so I must qualify!” The reality is much more complex.
  Most EU countries require extensive documentation such as certified birth, marriage, and death certificates, apostilles, and official translations. Some records may be missing, incorrectly recorded, or difficult to obtain across multiple countries and decades.
  On top of that, each country has specific rules (e.g., Italy’s 1948 rule, or Poland’s continuous citizenship requirement) that can disqualify applicants unexpectedly.
  
  
• Citizenship by Investment:
  Contrary to popular belief, investment doesn’t give you instant citizenship. Most EU countries offer residency-by-investment programs (Golden Visas), not direct citizenship.
  After residency is granted, you must maintain your investment, often live in the country for several years, learn the language, and integrate culturally before applying for citizenship. Greece for example: its Golden Visa program grants residency for a minimum real estate investment of €250,000, but it does not guarantee a path to citizenship unless you meet strict physical presence and integration requirements—including seven years of continuous residence and language proficiency.

• Cost and Timeline:
  Whether through descent or investment, citizenship processes can take anywhere from 1 to 8+ years and cost thousands of dollars in legal fees, translations, document retrieval, and government filings — even before you pay for travel or real estate (in the case of Golden Visas).

At Immigration Diligence, we specialize in helping Americans navigate this complex process. We assist with everything from genealogical research and document retrieval to investment due diligence and citizenship planning.

Reach out to Immigration Diligence today for a free consultation and personalized roadmap.

The Truth About European Citizenship Isn’t Complicated — If You Know Where to Look

Gaining EU citizenship is possible but it’s not always simple. The process varies by country, comes with timelines and legal hurdles, and is often misunderstood.

At Immigration Diligence, we help Americans cut through the myths and get expert guidance tailored to their goals — whether through ancestry or investment. Ready to start your EU citizenship journey? Contact our team today and move forward with confidence.