Massive Number of American Applicants for EU Citizenship

According to government statistics and independent citizenship consultancies, more Americans are applying for EU citizenship than previously witnessed. This information was provided by Bloomberg on Wednesday, October 19.

Without accounting for individuals requesting third or fourth-country passports, Arton Capital estimates that in 2022 there will be four times as many Americans seeking second citizenship as there were in 2020.

According to Global RCG, a consultancy that aids Americans in obtaining foreign citizenship and residency permits, over 40% of Americans are qualified for European citizenship, in keeping with the country’s reputation as a melting pot.

Entry restrictions differ significantly across different countries. 12 countries offer citizenship through right-of-blood” (Jus Sanguinis) where Americans can apply multiple generations away as long as there is proof of ancestry from the nation. Each nation varies in regard to the level of ancestry they will accept. The 12 countries that offer citizenship through blood include Australia, Argentina, France, Hungary, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, the Philippines, South Africa, Turkey, and the United Kingdom.

According to government records, 3,284 more Americans applied for Irish passports in the first half of this year than in the same period in 2021. Consultancy firms that assist people in obtaining citizenship in Italy and Germany have reported similar spikes in interest. At the New York consulate alone, 3,700 people are on the “waitlist” for Italian citizenship.

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Interest in the Florida-based Italian American Citizenship Assistance Program has increased over the last year, and applications spiked up near the end of 2021.

Giorgio Nusiner, the firm’s principal, told Bloomberg that “politics is the main reason people cite for looking to get out.”

According to Kelly Cordes, founder of Irish Citizenship Consultants, “Every time there’s a huge political decision that has the potential to dramatically change the everyday lives of Americans, we see a spike in searches from both sides of the political spectrum.”

She asserted that queries increased when the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade and let states decide their own abortion policies, despite Ireland’s abortion regulations being tighter than most US states.

People who are interested in getting a second passport don’t always act on their impulse, preferring to “have the choice,” according to German immigration lawyer Julie Schafer, who spoke to Bloomberg. This is similar to Americans who promise to move to Canada if an election doesn’t go their way.

She remarked that she had also noticed a rise in queries after the Roe decision. Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, which made many Americans aware of the restrictions on their US passports, other prospective global citizens are motivated by financial considerations or the convenience of travel.