Some countries offer a fast-track path to citizenship for foreigners who marry their citizens. This shortens the usual residency requirements and helps spouses gain citizenship more quickly. While the rules vary, marriage is often accepted as a valid reason for granting citizenship or residency. This also comes with benefits like the right to live, work, and travel freely. Fast-tracking citizenship through marriage is a good option for those wanting to build a life in a new country.
Here are five countries where marrying a local could quickly change your nationality in 2025.
Spain
In the past, marrying a Spanish citizen automatically granted citizenship. However, since 1975, direct citizenship after marriage is no longer possible.
Marriage still makes the citizenship process faster. Marrying a Spaniard makes it easier and quicker to get residency and citizenship. Normally, it takes 2 to 10 years of residency to qualify for citizenship. If married to a Spanish citizen, you only need one year of legal residency. However, you may need to renounce your original nationality unless you’re from a former Spanish colony. With Spanish citizenship, you can travel to 183 countries without a visa, live and work anywhere in the EU, and vote in Spain.
Step-by-Step Process: First, register your marriage with a notary in Spain. Then, apply for a residency permit to live and work in Spain for five years. There are two options: the EU Family Member Card for those with legal status and sufficient income, or Family Arraigo for those without legal status but with a clean criminal record.
After getting your residency, live in Spain with your spouse for one year. The year starts only after your residency permit is approved. Once you’ve lived together for a year, apply for Spanish citizenship. You’ll need to pass the Spanish language test (A2) and the CCSE cultural exam.
Argentina
Argentine citizenship can be obtained in two ways. The first is Citizenship by Option, which is available to children of native Argentine citizens as stated in Article 1, Law 346, and Article 2, Decree 3213/84. The second is citizenship by naturalisation, which requires two years of continuous residency in Argentina, verified by the National Directorate of Migrations. This residency requirement is waived if you are married to an Argentine citizen or have Argentine-born children. However, siblings of Argentine citizens cannot apply for citizenship through this route.
To apply, you must be at least 18 years old. You need a legalised birth certificate, either with an Apostille or international legalisation if required, and a valid Argentine ID (DNI) or passport. You also need police clearance certificates from your home country and any other countries where you lived for more than six months in the past three years. These certificates must be apostilled. A non-criminal record certificate from Argentina’s National Registry is also required. This involves fingerprinting, and the results are sent by email.
You must provide proof of residency in Argentina, such as utility bills, a rental contract, or a domicile certificate from the local police. You also need to show proof of income through pay stubs, monotributo receipts, or an income certificate from a public accountant. If you have Argentine children, you must include photocopies of their birth certificates and a certificate from the Immigration Directorate.
You need to have basic Spanish skills to understand court proceedings and take the citizenship oath. Two specific forms, provided during the process, must also be completed.
The entire process usually takes one to 1.5 years. Applicants must appear in person at three key stages: submitting the application, processing the criminal record, and taking the citizenship oath. A legal advisor must be appointed to manage the application. After completing the process, you can apply for your DNI and Argentine passport.
Brazil
If you and your Brazilian partner marry, you can start the process for Brazilian citizenship within a year. You can marry in Brazil, but it may be easier to marry outside the country due to Brazil’s complicated bureaucracy. If you marry abroad, you will likely need to pay a fee to the Brazilian consulate to process your documents. After submitting the required paperwork, you will get a Certificate of Marriage Registration. This certificate confirms your marriage is recognised under Brazilian law. You will need to bring the marriage documents to Brazil to continue the process and apply for a permanent residence visa.
you need to apply for permanent residence at a Federal Police station in Brazil, which may require travelling there. If you do not speak Portuguese, getting help from a lawyer or a fixer is recommended. Due to Brazil’s bureaucracy, professional help is often important.
After being married for one year and holding permanent residence, you can apply for citizenship by marriage. The naturalisation process may take 12 to 15 months. A good lawyer can help reduce delays. Lawyers in Brazil often work with a fixer, or “despachante,” to handle the paperwork. While many expats find fixers helpful, be careful, as some may not act in your best interest.
Italy
Italian citizenship through marriage or civil union is governed by Law n. 91 of 1992. A non-Italian spouse can apply after two years of marriage or civil union if living in Italy, or three years if living abroad. This period is shorter if the couple has children under 18 or adopts children. Same-sex civil unions, recognised in Italy since 2016, are treated the same as marriages.
The application fee is €250, paid by wire transfer. Since December 4, 2018, applicants must show B1-level Italian language proficiency from an approved institution.
To start, the Italian spouse must be registered with AIRE (if abroad) and have their marriage/civil union recorded at the consulate and the local comune. The citizenship application is submitted at the consulate (if abroad) or Prefettura (if in Italy).
The process has two steps: filling out an online form and making an appointment to submit documents and sign the application. Applicants need a marriage certificate transcript, criminal background checks from all countries lived in since age 14, a certified copy of their foreign birth certificate, and B1-level Italian certification from an approved institution.
France
Foreigners can apply for French citizenship by declaration or by decree, depending on their situation. Citizenship by birth, marriage, or ascendancy is through declaration. Citizenship by naturalisation is through decree.
Foreigners married to French citizens can apply for citizenship by declaration if they meet certain conditions. If living in France, the marriage must last at least four years, with three years of residency in France together. If living abroad, the French spouse must be registered in consular records. The application can be made after four years of marriage. If neither condition is met, the requirement is five years. The marriage must be registered in the French civil registry.
Applicants must have a valid residence permit (unless from the EEA or Switzerland), no expulsion order, and a community of life with the French spouse. They must also have B1-level French language skills and no criminal record. Irregular residency periods do not count toward the required residency.
To apply, submit a completed Cerfa form, photos, a tax stamp, proof of identity and residence, a marriage certificate, and other documents. These include proof of the French spouse’s nationality and evidence of language proficiency. All documents must be in French or with certified translations.
