How Can an American Get an EU Passport?
Passports are given through the nation you in which you hold citizenship. If you are an American who does not have citizenship in any of the countries that make up the European Union, you will not be able to obtain a EU passport until you gain citizenship in one of those countries.
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Misconceptions
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The EU refers to a large group of European countries that share a common currency and benefit through work, travel and living arrangements that are not available to citizens who are not part of the EU. There is no such thing as a collective EU passport. Each individual country that is part of the EU makes up the rules regarding their passports, and the citizens of that country must carry passports identifying their citizenship in that country.
Citizenship
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American citizens can obtain a passport in one of the EU countries after obtaining citizenship in one of those countries. This can be done either through claiming citizenship through your ancestry or through gaining naturalized citizenship. Depending on which European country you obtain your citizenship through, you may be able to keep your American citizenship, and have dual citizenship status.
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Ancestry
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Claiming citizenship in through your ancestry is the easiest way to obtain citizenship in a European country. This can refer to either your own birth -- if you were born in a European country -- or the birth of an ancestor. Each European country has their own guidelines regarding how far back you can claim ancestors.
Marriage
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Marrying a citizen of the EU or having a child with them does not grant you automatic citizenship in EU countries. However, you will be automatically eligible for a residence and work permit, which will shorten the time it will take to become a naturalized citizen of the country you wish to live in.
Naturalization
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After living and working in a European Union country legally for a specific number of years, you can undergo the naturalization process and become a citizen of the country. The requirements of naturalized citizenship are set by individual countries, but often includes fluency in a language other than English.
Scams
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Scams exist which offer you the ability to purchase a EU passport, or a EU citizenship. Consult with a country's embassy in the United States if you have questions regarding citizenship or passport concerns.
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