It will be more difficult for Ukrainians to obtain a passport in EU countries: we analyze the changes in 2025

Europe tightens naturalization rules in 2025. Learn about the main changes in Portugal, Italy, Britain, France and other countries and get useful tips for Ukrainians

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2025 has become a turning point in European migration policy, as due to the increase in the number of migrants, as well as discussions about integration, security, demography and the burden on the social sphere, many states have introduced significant changes to the procedure for obtaining a passport.

Some countries are increasing language requirements, others are doubling the minimum period of residence, and some are emphasizing financial discipline and impeccable behavior. For Ukrainians who have already lived in the EU for several years or are planning to move, these changes mean one thing: the path to a passport is becoming longer, more difficult and more demanding.

This article provides an overview of the key innovations in 2025 in various European countries and tips on how to speed up the move.

Portugal

The naturalization procedure in Portugal was recently one of the easiest in Europe. Lived for 5 years, passed a simple language test – and the doors to citizenship opened wide. Now everything is different:

- The period of residence for naturalization has been increased from 5 to 10 years.

- The language threshold has been raised to B2, which requires systematic training.

- Deep security checks have been introduced, including criminal records and connections abroad

- A requirement to prove loyalty and involvement in the life of the country has been introduced.

- The state has the right to deprive citizenship for serious violations.

Read more about the key changes to the procedure for obtaining Portuguese citizenship and how this will affect expats in this article.

In fact, the loyal model is a thing of the past. Ukrainians in Portugal will have to invest in language, work, and integration evidence – “just living in the country” is no longer enough.

What will help increase the chances of obtaining Portuguese citizenship?

- Start systematically studying the language at level B1 → reach B2 in 2–3 years.

- Register your activity, have an official income and regular tax payments.

- Keep every document that proves your integration: rental agreements, work, educational courses.

- Participate in local projects/volunteering: this demonstrates your connection to society

- Avoid long breaks in residence - the accumulated years are now critical.

What types of visas are needed to move, how to legalize in Portugal, and what steps need to be taken to obtain a work permit were discussed in this material.

Finland

Finland has previously remained one of the most difficult countries to obtain citizenship, but in 2025 the requirements have become even stricter. From December 17, changes will be in effect, including:

- Strengthened financial criteria - you must prove a stable income.

- Deeper verification of identity, residence history and previous applications.

- Increased waiting period before re-applying after a refusal.

- Priority is given to those who demonstrate integration and social responsibility

Finland signals: citizenship is a bonus for integration, not a mechanical step after years of residence.

What should Ukrainians do?

- Have a long-term job with an official income above the minimum threshold.

- Create a credit/tax history without debts.

- Do not change your residence status chaotically - stability → respect for the system.

- Invest in Finnish or Swedish courses (the higher the level, the better).

- Avoid administrative fines, traffic violations, problems with landlords.

Read also what conditions apply to entry into Finland for Ukrainians, how to apply for a visa, get a job and obtain a permanent residence permit.

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Netherlands

In the Netherlands, the emphasis has changed significantly - the number of years lived is no longer a key factor. The quality of integration, language, and social ties are becoming important. Among the biggest updates:

- The minimum period of residence for filing has been increased.

- The language and integration test has been made more complicated - a deep understanding of culture, social rules, and legislation is now required.

- More attention is paid to work, taxes, and participation in community life.

Those who work in low-skilled positions and do not have active integration may face difficulties - formal stay is no longer enough.

How can Ukrainians integrate in the Netherlands?

- Take integration courses not formally, but with understanding - and take the exam in advance.

- The advantage is legal work in a field where you can grow (IT, logistics, the medical sector).

- Create a documentary base for integration: taxes, courses, membership in communities.

- Maintain a stable income without frequent changes of employers.

- Do not ignore cultural adaptation: rules, everyday norms, participation in community life.

Learn more about a visa to the Netherlands, how to get a residence permit and work permit, as well as other important nuances of emigration.

Sweden

A state that was considered liberal for years made a sharp turn in 2025. Naturalization is now evaluated not only by documents, but also by a person's behavior:

- A stricter analysis of character and social responsibility.

- Verification of social ties and adaptation to Swedish norms.

- Attention to fines, debts and any risks to society

How can a Ukrainian strengthen his position for obtaining Swedish citizenship?

- Avoid any fines, even small ones, because they affect the dossier.

- Have tax transparency: official salaries, timely tax payment.

- Join volunteer initiatives, courses, Swedish social structures.

- Build long-term social ties: recommendations, clubs, professional communities.

- Invest in knowledge of Swedish to a level sufficient for everyday communication.

Read also: do you need a visa to Sweden and how to apply for it, how to get a job in this country and get a residence permit.

France

France has shifted its focus towards economic migration. Main changes:

- The possibilities of obtaining a residence permit on family grounds have been reduced.

- Support for labor migration to shortage areas has been strengthened: medicine, engineering, IT, nursing, agricultural sector

- Routes for specialists have become more structured, but also more demanding

Ukrainians who planned the path through family reunification will have to evaluate alternatives - in particular, work programs.

Tips for Ukrainians on obtaining French citizenship

- Choose professions with a shortage of personnel: medicine, nursing, engineering, agricultural sector, IT.

- Get your diplomas/qualifications verified in advance.

- Make more active use of professional training programs + internships.

- Document your tax and labor history.

- Consider the option of a work visa first, even if the final goal is reunification.

How Ukrainians can move to France, what types of visas and residence permits exist, and how to get a work permit, read here.

Italy

Italy has revised almost the entire naturalization mechanism. Key highlights:

- The options for automatic citizenship have been reduced.

- The grounds for refusal have been expanded, including weak integration.

- Connection to the country, knowledge of the language, social contribution, financial discipline are assessed.

- Residence without active integration no longer works

The trend is obvious: citizenship is obtained by those who have proven that they are becoming part of the country, and not just physically living in it.

How to increase the chances of obtaining Italian citizenship?

- Confirm a real connection with the country: contracts, studies, taxes.

- Learn Italian, preferably to a level that allows you to work without a translator.

- Collect evidence of participation in public life (associations, courses, volunteering).

- Avoid “grey work” – the officiality of documents is now more important than ever.

- Plan your path 5–10 years ahead – Italy is moving towards the “slow citizenship” model.

Read about ways to obtain a visa to Italy, the possibility of long-term residence and obtaining a work permit in this article.

Great Britain

Britain continues its course to reduce migration. In 2025, the rules have become stricter specifically for family routes:

- The financial income threshold for sponsoring a partner has been increased.

- The amount of evidence of the reality of the relationship has been increased.

- Requirements for housing, income stability, tax history have been strengthened

The most vulnerable category is couples where one of the partners has an average or unstable income.

Tips for successful integration into the UK

- Prepare a financial profile in advance: stable salary, savings, taxation.

- Keep joint accounts, rental contracts, photos, joint expenses - evidence is important.

- It is better to apply after at least 12-18 months of living together in a stable situation.

- Do not forget about the English certificate - the higher the level, the easier.

- For young professionals, it is worth considering Skilled Worker as a starting route.

Read how Ukrainians can move to the UK here.

2025 has made obtaining European citizenship much more difficult, but not hopeless. The general trend is obvious: for naturalization, it is no longer enough to simply live in the country for a few years. The EU is increasingly actively evaluating a person comprehensively - based on language skills, integration, contribution to society, tax history, income stability and lack of offenses. However, it is important to understand that Europe is not closing - it is only changing the rules of the game. And those who adapt, demonstrate constancy, competence and loyalty will eventually be able to obtain the dream document.

Against the background of tightening requirements for citizenship and residence permits, even one incorrect certificate or missed deadline can delay the process for years. That is why more and more Ukrainians are turning to professional legal support to go through the bureaucratic path faster, without stress and without the risk of rejection.

The Visit Ukraine team of lawyers works with exactly such situations – helping Ukrainians legalize in the EU, renew residence permits, prepare documents for applying for citizenship and support visa cases. Specialists analyze your status in a specific country, suggest the optimal way to obtain documents, check the package before submission and help avoid mistakes that often lead to applications being returned or rejected.

Don’t waste your time and the opportunity to submit documents correctly the first time. Get professional help and start moving towards a European passport today!

Recall! In October 2025, Germany canceled the “turbo-citizenship” procedure: it is no longer possible to obtain a German passport in three years. We have already told you what exactly has changed, how this will affect migrants and what requirements are now in force for obtaining a German passport.

Photo – Freepik

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