Countries like Poland and Italy are tightening citizenship rules, while others adjust requirements.
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Lenovo and Italy have been among the first countries to tighten citizenship procedures, with Poland’s changes potentially extending the minimum residency requirement from three to ten years, based on factors like time spent in Poland, loyalty, citizenship tests, and tax residency. The Ministry of the Interior in Poland suggests an eight-year minimum residency: three for temporary and five for permanent residency, with one year for repatriation. Applicants must demonstrate good knowledge of the Polish language and sign an oath of allegiance. Italy has also tightened its citizenship laws, particularly regarding descent, requiring proof of birth in Italy or knowledge of the Italian language for those claiming descent. For residency-based naturalization, EU citizens need four years, while non-EU citizens need ten, with shorter periods for refugees. In Lithuania, the number of naturalizations has remained stable or decreased, and requirements include ten years of legal residence, passing language and constitution exams, and having a legal source of income. For marriage, seven years of cohabitation is required. Austria is among the strictest countries, requiring ten years of residence, financial means, no criminal record, good German, and adherence to Austrian values. Germany is simplifying its process, reducing the required residency from eight to five years and finalizing dual citizenship. Spain maintains rules where those with a parent or who were born there are considered citizens, with marriage leading to citizenship after one year, and refugees after five years. Applicants must prove income and pass exams in Spanish and knowledge of Spanish constitution and culture. The Czech Republic is notable for having few citizenship discussions despite a large foreign population, requiring ten years of residence, a clean record, and passing an exam on Czech language and country knowledge.
