The world we live in today has become global village where so many find themselves as global citizens. You will agree that professionals, skilled personnel, researchers, students, dating partners, families keep moving from one country to the next these days. Despite this high mobility and cross border movements, everyone would like to have a place to call home. Elvis Presley once sung that Home Is Where the Heart Is.
Even those who wilfully decide to make a choice of being global citizens harbour an urge to have at least one country to call home. Citizenship is the highest status of bona fide to a country that anyone may wish to have. With the increased travel and integration, the need for dual citizenship has become real. In this arrangement, first citizenship held is by birth and second by any other means. This is similar for the Nordics which we here enlighten anyone interested in it.
A focus on dual citizenship in the Nordics
It is with great relief to expatriates and locals to learn that all Nordic countries permit dual citizenship. Besides, you can be a citizen of one or more Nordic countries. The feeling of being a national to two countries is overwhelming, especially when Nordic countries are involved. Whether in Finland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, or Iceland, a taste of staying in these countries is not enough. Many expatriates, who visit for studies or work, find themselves comfortable and yearning for a more extended stay.
Recent tendencies have shown that many expatriates are relocating to Nordic countries. However, you must be a regular earner to manage their living standards; it’s damn expensive. Therefore, the big question for internationals is how to acquire dual citizenship. In Nordic regions, there are three modes of obtaining citizenship. It can be by birth, by declaration, and by application.
Requirements for Dual Citizenship in Nordic Countries for Expats
You can only acquire citizenship by application for adult ex-pats relocating to Nordic. Although the necessity may vary country-wise, this piece will highlight the general ones. This article will be meaningful in checking the conditions for each country in the Nordic bloc.
1. Identity Proof
To get started, proof of identity is compulsory. In Denmark, proof of identity is explicit in the filling procedure for an Immigration residence permit. Therefore, it is necessary to ascertain your identity details by issuing a national passport. Unlike Sweden and Finland, identity-proof laws are stricter in Norway and Iceland.
2. Employment
To get dual citizenship in the Nordic countries you should have been in full-time employment. For instance, in Denmark, you should have been employed or been in self-employment for about 3.5 years in the past 4 years. Besides, you need to be connected to have a connection to the labour market when you submit your application.
3. Permanent Residence Permit
Another requirement is a permanent residence permit. You need to apply for the license after a certain period of stay. While Sweden and Finland require a visit of five years, Iceland and Norway are extensive to seven years. On the other hand, Denmark takes up to nine years of waiting longer! Nevertheless, shorter residence applies for exceptions like Nordic citizens, former citizens, stateless individuals, and spouses of citizens.
4. Language Requirement
Have you ever thought of learning the language of your foreign country? You should, because it is an essential requirement. Apart from Sweden, other Nordic countries consider the applicant’s language proficiency. With Denmark being rigorous of all Nordics, applicants must pass official language tests to attain citizenship.
5. Economic Self-Sufficiency
The Nordics believe in criminal activities whenever there is financial inadequacy. Besides, living in Scandinavia requires a big wallet, and life there is never cheap. You must prove your economic self-sufficiency to ensure you can foot your bills. For instance, you must show a regular pay stub for a certain period of stay. Denmark checks a pay tub for four and a half years, Iceland for three years. Besides, pending taxes and debts are clear indications of funds limitation. For that, it will disqualify your citizenship application.
Self-sufficiency is a requirement when you need dual citizenship in Nordic countries. This is because before you become a citizen, you should support yourself financially. You should also ensure that you have not received benefits such as integration benefits, rehabilitation benefits, educational benefits, and cash assistance.
6. Personal Conduct
Like European countries, the Nordics have taken a keen interest in personal conduct. Although conduct requirements vary, Denmark is more stringent. Besides, certain criminal sanctions may deny citizenship to the applicant permanently. The rule applies to individuals sentenced to imprisonment for 18 months, according to Chapter 5, 2015 Circular Document. While Finland and Iceland play low on citizenship ceremonies, Norway and Denmark include mandatory oath signing.
You should ensure that during the period you are applying for citizenship, you do not owe the public state. Some of the debts you should not have include nursery payments, student loans, police fines, court fees, and others. You also need to have some knowledge on the country where you need citizenship.
Reasons Behind en masse Relocation of Expatriates in Nordic counties
For many reasons, only a few are likely to question the success of the Scandinavian model. Many working ex-pats have families, and nothing comes before their family affairs. For that, Scandinavia is an excellent place to balance family and work life. Furthermore, family goals are achievable with their short working hours and extensive generous leaves. Imagine Nordic- Iceland, where both parents enjoy three months of paid leave for maternity. That is enough time for parent-child bonding.
When it comes to health care services, Nordic countries are top-notch. Besides quality healthcare, your child is confident of excellent schooling. Unlike the U.K, Nordic has a smaller population, and booking an appointment with your local doctors is much easier. You can quickly seek medical attention through health insurance coverage in many hospitals, if not all. You only need to pay an additional patient charge, and you are good.
If you are looking for a change in environmental scenery, Nordic is the place. You rest assured of the numerous Scandinavian attractions that take a lifetime to explore. Whether watching Aurora Borealis or visiting Denmark’s lonely castles, it’s all up to you. For more adventure in the Nordic region, check this page.
Although it is not a crime-free zone, criminality is rare in the Nordic regions. However, the worrying issue, especially for African expatriates, is the rise of racism and discrimination from the bloc. With the Finnish taking the lead in national isolation, the rest of the Nordics are also guilty. Furthermore, they are all participants in hate crimes against the black population. Above all, it is best if you learn the expatriate language for interaction and job seeking.
The Benefits of Dual Citizenship
Dual citizenship will give you political rights as an ex-pat. It will give you the right to participate in the nation’s political life. They include the right to stand in elections and to vote. With this benefit, you also have the right to make some donations to political candidates.
With two passports, you can easily travel across the two countries. Also, remember, if you have citizenship in one of the Nordic nations, you are allowed to freely travel to the other Nordic nations. With two passports, there is the elimination of long-stay visas as well as questioning concerning your trip’s purpose.
Furthermore, getting dual citizenship also means that you have the capacity of owning property in any of the two nations. The reason is that some of the nations just restrict land ownership to their citizens. Therefore, as a legal citizen of two nations, you can purchase property in one of them or even both.
Lastly, in terms of work and travel, you do not need a permit or visa in visiting the nations where you have citizenship. Also, you may stay in any of them for the period that you want. You can even seek work in any of the nations. Remember, as a foreigner, you have to pass through a long process in getting a work permit.