By the end of this article, you’ll understand the main routes to EU citizenship, the rights it brings, plus fresh insights on Brexit’s impact, citizenship-by-investment, statelessness, dual-citizenship obligations, and how your passport shapes university fees and scholarships.
What EU Citizenship Really Means
EU citizenship sits on top of your national nationality. It gives you rights across all 27 member states without replacing your home country’s passport, as established by Article 20 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU).
“Citizenship is the most tangible proof of European integration.” – Viviane Reding, former EU Justice Commissioner^1
Key Rights You Get
- Freedom to live, work and study anywhere in the EU
- Right to vote and stand in local and European Parliament elections
- Consular protection by any EU embassy when yours isn’t represented, as outlined on the Citizenship of the European Union Wikipedia page^2
- Ability to petition the European Parliament and access its documents
How You Can Become an EU Citizen
Most people join the EU club via:
1. Descent (if a parent holds citizenship)
2. Naturalization after a set period of legal residence (often 5–10 years)
3. Marriage to an EU national (residency conditions vary)
4. Investment programs offered by some countries
Citizenship by Investment
A handful of EU states once sold passports to investors in return for real-estate or donations.
– In Malta, the total cost for wealthy applicants was framed by the Malta Enterprise Citizenship by Investment Programme, which required roughly €1 million (donation plus investment)^3.
– Cyprus suspended its scheme in late 2020 amid EU criticism, according to the Reuters report on Cyprus citizenship suspension^4.
Critics argue it can undermine shared values and open doorways to money laundering.
What Brexit Meant for British Nationals
Since January 2021, UK passport-holders lost automatic free movement, health-card benefits and voting rights in EU elections.
– You now need visas or residence permits to live or work in most EU states
– The European Health Insurance Card no longer applies to new arrivals, as explained on the UK Government’s EHIC post-Brexit guidance^5
Statelessness: A Route Often Overlooked
An estimated 12 million people worldwide have no nationality, per the UNHCR’s Statelessness page^6. In the EU:
– Stateless persons can apply for residence and, after five years, naturalisation in some countries
– The 2015 EU Statelessness Directive requires member states to identify and protect stateless individuals
Challenges include proving identity or meeting language and civic integration tests.
Sharing Flags: Dual-Citizenship Matters
Holding two (or more) passports brings perks and duties:
Military Service
- Countries like Austria still have conscription, so dual citizens may face call-up notices on the Austrian Armed Forces conscription page^7.
Taxation
- Most EU states tax worldwide income only for residents, not all citizens. Exception: US citizens living in Europe file annual US tax returns, as noted by the Tax Foundation on US expat tax obligations^8.
Diplomatic Protection
- If you’re in a country without your main embassy, you can ask any other EU mission for help^2.
Studying in the EU: Why Your Passport Matters
Your EU passport can drastically lower your university bills and unlock funding:
– In Germany, domestic-rate or free tuition for EU residents, as outlined by DAAD’s tuition fees guide^9.
– Erasmus + grants for study or traineeship across member states are detailed on the British Council’s Erasmus+ programme page^10.
– Many scholarships and zero-interest loans reserved for EU citizens
Your Next Steps
Choosing or changing your EU citizenship isn’t just paperwork—it reshapes where you work, vote, study and even how you pay taxes. Now that you’ve got the full picture—from classic routes to fresh angles like Brexit fallout and statelessness—pick the path that fits your life plans and get ready to fly your new flag.