Want to live and work in Europe? The European marriage visa is one of the ways to legally reside in a European country. It allows the spouse of a European Union (EU) citizen—or of a foreigner who is legally living in the EU—to obtain authorization to live and work in Europe.

Interested? In this article, you’ll learn how the European marriage visa process works, which European countries grant citizenship through marriage, the minimum length of marriage required, and the type of translation needed for marriage certificates.

How does the European marriage visa process work?

The process for obtaining a European marriage visa involves several steps and requirements, which vary depending on the country where you plan to live. Generally, the process follows these steps:

1.    Check the requirements

First, you need to confirm the requirements for your marriage to be legally valid in the European country where you intend to live. Your marriage must be officially recognized in your destination country.

Keep in mind that your spouse must have European citizenship or hold a valid residence permit in the country where you plan to live.

2.    Gather the required documents

The required documents for a European marriage visa may vary from country to country. In general, you will need to provide:

• Identification document (valid passport or national ID);
• Birth certificate, usually translated and apostilled;
• Marriage certificate, usually translated and apostilled;
• Proof of residence, confirming that your spouse lives in the EU country;
• Proof of financial means (e.g., bank statements or tax returns);
• Health insurance covering your stay in the country;
• Recent, color photographs.

3.    Apply for the visa

In most cases, the spouse of an EU citizen—or of someone with residency in an EU country—must apply for the visa at the Embassy or Consulate of the country where they plan to live.

You will need to submit the required documents, complete the appropriate visa application form, and pay the applicable fees.

4.    Attend an interview, if required

Some countries require an interview as part of the process. The purpose is to verify that your marriage is genuine and that you truly intend to reside in the country.

Processing times vary by consulate. They may also request additional documents during the review process.

5.    Receive your visa

If your application is approved, you will receive the visa that allows you to travel and reside in the European country.

After arrival, you may need to register your residence with local immigration authorities. In many countries, after living there for a certain period (usually 1 to 5 years), you may become eligible to apply for European citizenship.

Always check the official website of the embassy or consulate of your destination country for the most accurate and up-to-date information.

Which European countries grant citizenship by marriage?

According to the European Union official website, civil marriage is recognized in all EU countries, including:

• Germany
• Belgium
• Spain
• France
• Ireland
• Italy
• Portugal
• United Kingdom
• Sweden

Each country has its own specific rules. For example, Germany requires proof of German language skills, while Portugal requires proof of ties to the country.

It’s essential to check the specific legislation of the country where you plan to apply, as residency periods and integration requirements can differ.

What is the minimum length of marriage required?

The minimum marriage duration required to apply for European citizenship by marriage varies by country.

For example, Portugal requires at least 3 years of marriage (plus other conditions), while Spain requires 1 year of marriage and residency in Spain.

In most cases, the required marriage length ranges from 1 to 3 years, but it may be longer or shorter depending on residency status, integration, and other factors.

What type of translation is required for marriage certificates?

You must obtain a certified translation of your marriage certificate and any other documents that are not in the official language of the destination country. Only certified translations are legally valid in most European countries.

This type of translation must be done by a sworn translator (also known as a public translator) who is officially authorized in their jurisdiction.

Certified translations are specifically for official documents and guarantee the accuracy and legal recognition of the translation by official authorities.

At Translation2Go, we specialize in high-quality, fast, and secure certified translations for immigration, visas, and citizenship processes across Europe. Our platform allows you to get an instant online quote in under 1 minute and track your translation status in real time.

• Submit your contact information;
• Select the source and target languages, and the type of translation you need;
• Upload your documents and select your preferred delivery time.

Once payment is confirmed, your documents will be translated by an experienced certified translator and delivered digitally by email. You can also download them directly from our platform.

Our process is 100% online, practical, and bureaucracy-free—making it the most convenient way to get your documents translated for Europe.