5 nations where marriage accelerates citizenship in 2025

Gaining citizenship is often a time-intensive and complex process, but for those married to citizens of certain countries, the journey can be significantly expedited.

These countries simplify the requirements, reducing mandatory residency periods and providing access to numerous privileges, such as the freedom to live, work, and travel without restrictions.

In 2025, here are five countries where marrying a local can fast-track your path to citizenship.

1. Spain

Although Spain eliminated automatic citizenship through marriage in 1975, marrying a Spanish citizen still provides a quicker path.

Typically, citizenship in Spain requires between two and ten years of residency, but this period is reduced to just one year for spouses of Spanish citizens.

However, you may need to renounce your original nationality unless you’re from a country with historic ties to Spain, such as a former colony.

How to apply for citizenship:

– Register your marriage with a notary in Spain.

– Secure a residency permit and live in Spain with your spouse for at least one year.

– Pass the Spanish language exam (A2 level) and the CCSE cultural test to complete the citizenship application.

Spanish citizenship grants visa-free travel to 183 countries and the right to live and work across the European Union.

2. Argentina

Argentina is one of the most lenient countries for spousal citizenship. Foreigners married to Argentine citizens or those with Argentine-born children are exempt from the standard two-year residency requirement.

Steps to citizenship:

– Provide a legalized birth certificate, valid ID, proof of residency, and evidence of income.

– Submit police clearance certificates covering the past three years.

– Complete in-person stages, including application submission, criminal record verification, and the citizenship oath.

The entire process typically takes between 12 and 18 months, after which you can obtain an Argentine DNI (national identity document) and passport.

3. Brazil

Brazil makes the citizenship process accessible for foreign spouses of its citizens. After just one year of marriage and permanent residency, you can apply for naturalization.

Steps to citizenship: 

– Marry in Brazil or register your foreign marriage at a Brazilian consulate.

– Apply for a permanent residency visa with Brazil’s Federal Police.

– Maintain one year of marriage and residency before applying for citizenship.

Although the application process can take up to 15 months, legal assistance or hiring a specialist may help streamline the bureaucratic requirements.

4. Italy

Italy provides a relatively straightforward path to citizenship for spouses of Italian citizens. The timeline is two years of marriage or civil union if living in Italy, or three years if living abroad.

This period can be further reduced to 18 months and 1.5 years, respectively, if the couple has children.

How to apply for citizenship:

– Pay the €250 application fee and prove B1-level proficiency in the Italian language.

– Submit required documents, including marriage and birth certificates, criminal background checks, and certified translations.

– File the application at the local *Prefettura* (if residing in Italy) or at an Italian consulate abroad.

Naturalized Italian citizens gain access to one of the world’s most powerful passports and the right to work and live in the EU.

5. France

France allows spouses of its citizens to apply for citizenship by declaration after four years of marriage. The timeline is reduced to three years if the couple resides together in France for at least three years.

Steps to citizenship:

– Submit required documentation, including a Cerfa form, proof of your French spouse’s nationality, and certified translations of foreign documents.

– Provide evidence of B1-level French language proficiency.

– Meet residency and legal requirements, such as having no criminal record and holding a valid residence permit.

French citizenship opens up extensive benefits, including access to EU residency and visa-free travel to 188 countries.

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