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How to use the Citizenship Eligibility Checker
- 1Add the countries you have lived in and for how many years.
- 2Tell us about marriage to a citizen and your parents' or grandparents' nationality.
- 3See possible routes for each country, with links to the detailed guide and official source.
The main routes to citizenship
Naturalisation by residence: live legally in a country for a set number of years (from 2 years in Argentina to 10 in Italy, Spain, Portugal and Switzerland). Marriage: many countries shorten the residence period for spouses of citizens. Descent (jus sanguinis): citizenship through a parent, and in some countries a grandparent or earlier ancestor. Investment: a few countries, such as Turkey, offer citizenship for an investment.
Years of residence needed for citizenship
Standard residence requirement for naturalisation, the shortcut for spouses of citizens, and whether dual citizenship is allowed (from our country guides, reviewed October 2026):
| Country | Residence | Married to a citizen | Dual citizenship |
|---|---|---|---|
| Argentina | 2 years | 2 years | Yes |
| Singapore | 2 years | 2 years | No |
| Canada | 3 years | No shortcut | Yes |
| Poland | 3 years | 2 years | Yes |
| Australia | 4 years | No shortcut | Yes |
| Brazil | 4 years | 1 year | Yes |
| Belgium | 5 years | 3 years | Yes |
| France | 5 years | 4 years | Yes |
| Germany | 5 years | 3 years | Yes |
| Ireland | 5 years | 3 years | Yes |
| Japan | 5 years | 3 years | No |
| Mexico | 5 years | 2 years | Limited |
| Netherlands | 5 years | 3 years | Limited |
| New Zealand | 5 years | No shortcut | Yes |
| Turkey | 5 years | 3 years | Yes |
| United States | 5 years | 3 years | Yes |
| United Kingdom | 6 years | 3 years | Yes |
| Greece | 7 years | 3 years | Yes |
| Finland | 8 years | No shortcut | Yes |
| Norway | 8 years | 5 years | Yes |
| Sweden | 8 years | No shortcut | Yes |
| Denmark | 9 years | 6 years | Yes |
| Austria | 10 years | 6 years | No |
| Italy | 10 years | 2 years | Yes |
| Portugal | 10 years | 3 years | Yes |
| Spain | 10 years | 1 year | Limited |
| Switzerland | 10 years | 5 years | Yes |
| United Arab Emirates | 30 years | No shortcut | Limited |
What usually counts as residence
Most countries count only lawful residence on a visa or permit that leads to settlement, and many limit how long you can spend abroad each year. Time as a student or asylum seeker may count partly or not at all, so check the official rules in your country guide before applying.
Frequently asked questions
Is the result a guarantee?
No. This checker gives a first indication based on general rules. Real eligibility depends on residence status, absences, language, criminal record and other details. Always confirm with the official source linked for each country or with an immigration lawyer.
Is my information stored?
No. The checker runs entirely in your browser and nothing you enter is sent anywhere.
Germany