Europe Introduces New Hurdles for U.S. Citizens Seeking Residency
Europe Tightens Residency and Citizenship Rules for Americans Despite Growing Interest
While the number of Americans seeking residency in Europe continues to rise, many EU countries have introduced stricter immigration measures, reducing the available pathways for U.S. citizens to move abroad.
In particular, tougher restrictions on skilled worker visas and stricter controls over citizenship-by-ancestry programs have narrowed the options for Americans planning long-term stays in Europe.
Despite these challenges, interest remains strong. According to Bloomberg, data from HR platform Deel shows a 16% increase in Americans hired by European companies between January and April 2025. Similarly, Glassdoor reported a surge in job searches for roles in Ireland and Portugal.
“It’s definitely different from what we’ve ever seen. People are really worried; they have this sense of urgency to have citizenship,”
— Kelly Cordes, Founder of Irish Citizenship Consultants (Illinois)
Europe Moves to Restrict Golden Visas & Citizenship-by-Investment
Governments across Europe are rolling back investment-based residency and citizenship programs:
The European Union Court of Justice ruled Malta’s Golden Passport scheme illegal, stating it violates key EU legal standards. Malta was the last EU country offering citizenship directly through investment.
“Actual residence was not considered essential by Malta in granting nationality under this scheme.” — EU Court of Justice
Spain ended its Golden Visa program on April 3, 2025, citing concerns about rising real estate prices and the national housing crisis.
Portugal removed real estate investment as a qualifying option for its Residency-by-Investment Program, also to ease housing market pressures.
Italy Moves to Limit Citizenship by Descent
In another major shift, Italy’s Senate approved a decree-law limiting Italian citizenship for descendants born abroad. Although the law still requires final approval by the Chamber of Deputies (expected by May 27), the move represents a notable tightening of ancestral citizenship rights.
These changes come as part of a broader trend: several EU countries revised their citizenship laws in 2024 and early 2025, aiming to reinforce border integrity, prevent misuse of nationality schemes, and ensure genuine connections to EU states.
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