Immigration to Europe

Main stages of immigration

1. Choose a method of immigration

   First, you need to choose which method of immigration suits you: student, labor, marriage, humanitarian, or through investment.
2. Look for a suitable country

   The choice of a country depends on the method of immigration: some countries are better for receiving an education, others to look for a job, and some provide special conditions for moving family members or a partner.
3. Apply for a visa

   After you choose an immigration method, you need to collect a package of documents for obtaining a visa. The terms of consideration vary from country to country, so it is worth submitting an application 2-3 months before the intended departure.
4. Move and receive a residence permit

   Before the visa expires, apply for a residence permit. It will allow you to stay in the country for up to 4 years.
5. Live in the country and get permanent residence

   A permanent residence permit can be obtained after 3-5 years of residence in the country.
6. Obtain citizenship

   The last stage of immigration involves paperwork and tests on the laws, language, culture, and customs of the country.

Ways to immigrate to Europe

Student immigration

To immigrate to Europe, you can study on a student visa, get a job, and stay after graduation. Preparation for this immigration method includes several stages. First of all, you need to choose where to study.

Main criteria:

• Cost. Many European countries have low prices for education. The average cost of undergraduate programs:
  • Spain — 162-3,774 USD/year
  • Austria — 809-1,564 USD/year
  • Italy — 1,078-3,235 USD/year
  • Poland — 539-6,470 USD/year
  • France — 2,987 USD/year

  Education at public universities in Germany and Norway is free^[3] — you only need to pay semester fees (270-324 USD — Germany^[4], 32-65 USD — Norway^[5]). Also, you do not need to pay tuition fees in Slovakia, the Czech Republic, and Finland if you choose a program in their local languages. We talk more about such opportunities in our article on affordable universities in Europe. However, do not forget that in addition to studying, students also need to spend money on accommodation and food, so not all countries with affordable education are as cheap as they may seem. For example, monthly living expenses in Norway average at 1,798 USD, in France — 1,465 USD, and in Finland — 1,519 USD.

• Rating. Six countries in Europe are in the top 10 for their quality of education: the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Switzerland, Sweden, and the Netherlands^[6]. According to QS Rankings, 30 universities from these countries are in the top 100 in the world^[7]. A high university ranking can mean extensive research opportunities or developed international connections, which is good both for the studying process itself and for a future career.
• Specialty. When choosing a university, you should also pay attention to its rating for the program you want to study. For example:
• Engineering specialties are well developed in the universities of Great Britain, Switzerland, Denmark, Germany, and Italy^[8]
• Medicine — in Sweden, Denmark, and Great Britain^[9]
• Natural sciences — in Switzerland and France^[10]
• Management — in the Netherlands, Italy, and France^[11]
  Note

  If you are considering studying in Europe as a way to permanently move in the future, be sure to account for the demand for your specialty in the country. Your specialty determines how easy it will be to find a job after graduation.

Each country has its own requirements for admission, but the main ones include:

• Invitation from an accredited educational institution (high school, college, or university)
• Confirmation of financial solvency
• Medical insurance
• International language examnot in every country
• Proof of tuition paymentnot in every country

Upon arrival, the student can apply for a temporary residence permit and stay in the country for the entire period of study.

After graduation, you need to apply for a special residence permit in order to find a job or start your own business. This will allow you to live in the country from 9 months to 1.5 yearsdepending on the country. It is issued by most European countries. There are, however, exceptions — such as Greece. There is no such option: you can only apply for a residence permit with a work permit, and this must be done before the student residence permit expires.

Some countries offer special programs for students, such as the Orientation Visa in the Netherlands. Therefore, it is important to check for employment opportunities on the websites of the Ministry of Education of your chosen country.

Read more about student immigration

Employment immigration

The main way to immigrate to Europe for work purposes is through the Blue Cardonly for EU countries. It is obtained by highly qualified specialists: those who have a diploma of higher education or 5 years of work experience in a relevant field. The blue card is issued by most EU countries, except for Denmark and Ireland.

In addition to the Blue Card, some members of the European Union provide employment programs: in Austria — Rot-Weiß-Rot KarteRed-White-Red Card; in the Czech Republic — The Employee Card. Such opportunities should be clarified on the website of the embassy of your chosen country.

For countries that are not a part of the European Union, you also need to prove your qualifications and get an invitation from the organization where you intend to work. Once all conditions are met, you must apply for a work visa, enter the country, and apply for a residence permit.

The main criteria for choosing a country:

• Average salary. Salaries in Europe greatly vary: an IT architect in Germany receives 9,166 USD^[12], and in Italy — 7,009 USD^[13]. Therefore, before making a decision, it is important to look at the average salaries for your profession.
• Average cost of living. Depending on which European country you choose, the cost of living will vary from 800 to 2,157 USD/month^[14].
• Unemployment rate. The unemployment rate will help you estimate your chances of finding a job. If it is relatively high among the country’s citizens, then it is more difficult for a foreigner to find a job — the competition for vacancies is higher.

The best option is high wages, a low cost of living, and low unemployment.

Read more about the Blue Card

Business and investments

Immigration through investment in the country's economy is also called a Golden Visa. This method is suitable for wealthy foreigners who are able to invest a large amount of money (average 269,584 USD) in real estate, government bonds, or a company. The Golden Visa provides a residence permit for the period through which the investment is valid. You will also be able to travel freely within the Schengen countries. If you apply, your family (spouse and children) also receives a residence permit.

However, there are few countries in Europe that support this program. The most popular are Spain, Montenegro, Portugal, Greece, and Turkey. Some (Bulgaria, Cyprus) plan to stop issuing Golden Visas^[17].

Read more about investment immigration

Family reunification and marriage immigration

This is the most common way to immigrate to Europe: about 39% of all immigrants indicate this reason for obtaining a residence permit — family reunification^[18]. If a close family member or partner whom you intend to marry is a citizen or resident of one of the European countries, then you can move and live with them. The conditions for issuing a visa vary depending on the country and should be clarified on the websites of embassies and visa centers. The main requirement is to prove family ties. This may be a birth certificate, marriage, and even joint photographs.

Humanitarian immigration

This method of immigration is a form of protection for a person who leaves his native country due to humanitarian catastrophes (war, famine), persecution, or human rights violations. To obtain a refugee status or a humanitarian visa, you need to provide evidence of harassment: photographs, threatening letters, court decisions, and other documents.

In 2020, 0.6% of the total EU population was made up of refugees^[18]. Most often, asylum is sought in Germany, Spain, France, and Greece^[19]. Refugees can work, study, and stay in the country for 3-5 years. After this time, it is necessary to apply for a residence permit.

Obtaining a residence permit in Europe

Upon arrival in the country or after the expiration of the entry visa, you must contact the local immigration office and apply for a temporary residence permit. Depending on the country and visa type, it is valid for 1-2 years for students and 1-4 years for employees. If the duration of study or the job contract exceeds this period, you need to apply for an extension of the residence permit.

A temporary residence permit, unlike student and work visas, allows you to:

• Buy property
• Cross the border an unlimited number of times
• Get a driver's license
• Use medical services
• Open a business

After 3-5 years of continuous stay in the country, an immigrant can apply for a permanent residence permit (PRP). Absence for 6 months out of a year, or 12 months for a good reason (pregnancy, work, internship, or serious illness), does not take away the right to receive a PRP. The main difference from a temporary residence permit is that it is automatically renewed every 5 years, and its duration is not limited.

Obtaining citizenship

Immigrants acquire citizenship through the process of naturalization — depending on the country, you need to live 5-10 years on a residence permit, and then pass tests on the culture, laws, and language of the country. However, there are other conditions that can shorten or extend this period. In Spain, for example, if you are married to a citizen of the country, then you need to live for a year — instead of ten — to apply^[20]. Graduates of French master's programs can apply for naturalization immediately after graduation.

Citizenship requirements

In addition to living for a certain time period, there are several other requirements:

• 18 years and older
• Language proficiency at the A2-B1 level
• Knowledge of the culture, laws, and political structure of the countrythe citizenship test is conducted during the application process
• Permanent residence permit
• Clear criminal record
• Renunciation of previous citizenship if required by lawsome countries allow dual citizenship

Citizenship of European countries — privileges

27 European countries are members of the European Union. Together with these countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland are members of the European Free Trade Association. Citizenship of any of these countries provides many advantages.

• Vote. You can vote or run for a position in the European Parliament.
• Free movement. EU citizenship gives you the opportunity to freely travel within the EU countries for 90 days every six months without a visa.
• Work and accommodation. Employers in EU countries give preference to citizens of the European Union.
• Education. Universities offer programs to students from EU countries at lower prices. For example, education in France costs an average of 2,987 USD/year, but for EU students it costs 183 USD/year^[21].
• The medicine. You can use medical care in any EU country — whether you are traveling, studying, or working.
• Standard of living. Seven European countries (Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Finland, and Germany) are in the top 10 in terms of living standards according to the US News Best Countries Report^[22].

Best cities to live in Europe

Indicators of a high standard of living are the availability of housing and education, low levels of pollution and crime, and a developed healthcare system. These characteristics make it possible to rank the best cities for living.

Luxembourg

Luxembourg is the capital of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. The Court of Justice of the European Union, the Secretariat of the European Parliament, the European Investment Fund, and the European Court of Auditors make the city one of the political and economic centers of the EU.

Reykjavik

The capital and largest city of Iceland is located on the Seltjarnarnes peninsula. About half of the country's population lives in Reykjavik. Though the city is not far from the Arctic Circle, the climate here is mild due to the warm current of the Gulf Stream: winter temperatures rarely drop below -10°C.

Munich

The third largest city in Germany and the capital of Bavaria is located in the south of the country. Munich has the most convenient location: all major cities in Germany and Austria are connected to it by rail. In addition, it is the main tourist destination in Germany: people are attracted to historical sites: Marienplatz and Residenz München; nature: Englischer Garten; and festivals: Oktoberfest.