How to become an EU citizen? (netherlands or sweden)?
These are two countries I really like. I'm an American... living in the US. I've decided that I really like the politics of northern european countries. I also like the history, culture, and various languages. Not to mention, lol, having rights as a homosexual would be nice. How can I become a citizen of either the netherlands or sweden? And I can't speak Dutch or Swedish; but I'm going to try to find somewhere to learn either (because I like both! although the netherlands is kind of tiny...) when I live in NYC. I just want to know how I can become a citizen, and then over time I'll slowly be able to work towards it... No, I don't think I'll be able to do this over night, so don't assume I'm an idealistic moron... I'm 19 years old and an art student. Thank you.
Other - Europe - 2 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
Ok, working backwards, unless you have a family link (e.g. parent that is of one of the nationalities) then your only way to obtain citizenship is from being naturalised and this requires you to be legally resident for 5+ years at least in the country (exceptions being if you are legally resident and in a relationship with a national there) So then this is where it gets tricky because to live and work in the Netherlands (and the policies of Sweden are not so very different from what I have read), then as an American you would have to obtain a work permit As an American you can stay in the Netherlands for up to 90 days max without a visa as a tourist. If you are planning to work in the Netherlands then your employer will have to apply for a work permit on your behalf. This will not be granted unless it can be proven that the job has requirements for specialist skills/experience/education which you and only you possess, and that it cannot be fulfilled by anyone else in the total pool of labour from (not just the Netherlands but) the total EU. As a result, many employers stipulate on job adverts that applicants must already be eligable to work in the Netherlands (e.g. holding a Dutch residence permit or to be a EU national) So you can forget trying to get an office job, bar job, waitress etc. There is no chance a permit would be given. You can read more about it here http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Asde3DjMwQ1yr1XecIUKLIzty6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20081029005645AAYhd63 Also consider that the Netherlands is also seeing the impact of the slowdown in the global economy and I hear people talking about losing the jobs, or in the news about it every day. Of course it's not impossible. If it is really a dream then there is always a way. You would have to look at educating yourself in skills which are in high demand in Europe, or obtaining a job in a company in the US which has branch offices in NL/Sweden with a view to being transfered based on specialist experience built up in the time of working for them. Unfortunately it is just as hard for an Americian to get Dutch nationality as it is for a Dutch national to get American nationality :0)
2 :
I would suggest you visit the countries first a lot and see if you really want to live here. I wouldn't change NY for the Netherlands that quick if I were you. I live in the Netherlands but lived and worked in NY for a while but it's hard to compare the two places. I liked it a lot in NY. Maybe you can obtain for a fellowship or an exchange?
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