ONational decline seems to have become so pervasive that even Weetabix – “Britain’s favorite breakfast” – is now capitalizing on it with a new advert: “One of the reasons Britain hasn’t been great lately is is because… I ate enough Weetabix.” Perhaps the country’s shortage of whole grains explains why Google searches for “EU passport” spiked in April to their highest level since 2021. Although it seems more likely that our collective psyche is fantasizing about escape.
The desire for greener pastures was reflected in a survey earlier this year by insights company Prograd, which found that 52 percent of Brits surveyed have considered leaving Britain for better job opportunities abroad, with 44 percent considering European country as their top destination. Moreover, there is nothing more annoying than standing in the gigantic ‘All passports’ queue, while the ‘EU’ queue rushes past without any problem.
This is something I’m dealing with: I submitted my application for Polish citizenship last week, after two years of wondering if it was worth it. My Polish grandparents came to Britain during the Second World War and because they were born in Poland I qualify for citizenship. The process was not quick and required several trips to the National Archives, only to discover that the first available embassy appointment would not be for another six months. Now I’m told the passport backlog is several years long. But the process is worth it to receive that golden ticket: access to live abroad for more than 90 days at a time and also work or study.
Owning an EU passport has become a hot topic among my social circle of twenty-somethings, most of whom are in the process of applying for one or, after fruitlessly searching for a family member who could help them qualify, are frustrated about their inability to get one. .
However, having a European relationship does not automatically mean that you are eligible for a passport; every country has its own rules. To qualify for citizenship in Denmark, Belgium and Austria, for example, you generally need at least one parent who is already a citizen, while an Irish, Italian or Polish grandparent – sometimes an even earlier ancestor – ensures that you are eligible for this. qualifies. to land. This is made even more confusing by the fact that each state has its own provisions on dual citizenship, meaning you can hold your British passport and an EU passport at the same time. For example, Spain and the Netherlands generally do not offer dual citizenship, but Hungary and Malta do. And before you can even think about getting your hands on that burgundy passport again, you’ll first have to apply for citizenship, which can take years.
Jake Warren, 33, a podcaster who is in the process of applying for his Hungarian citizenship — for which he qualifies through his grandfather, who fled Nazi-occupied Hungary — has noticed a similar shift in his peers. “It is almost fashionable to have a second nationality. People say, ‘Oh, you’re so lucky to have an Irish passport or an Italian passport or whatever. It’s interesting because growing up there was never much emphasis on having a European dual identity – it was always ‘British is best’ – whereas now the pendulum has swung the other way.”
This sentiment has even seeped into the world of dating apps, with statements often advertised on profiles stating that daters are seeking – or hold – dual citizenship. Dan, 29, a British and German passport holder on Hinge, tells me why he thinks his passport status makes him a more suitable candidate: “The fact that I still have an EU passport opens countless doors for my future family to work outside Britain,” he says. say. “How can that not be attractive?”
According to the latest figures from the European Commission’s Eurostat, applications for EU citizenship from Britain have remained consistently higher than pre-Brexit levels, with almost 80,000 Britons acquiring a European passport between 2016 and 2022. And this figure does not include Irish passport applications. – the Irish Passport Office received more than one million passport applications in 2022, including 100,000 new applicants from Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
Laura, 31, a journalist from London whose grandmother was from Belfast, received her Irish citizenship two weeks ago after a year-long wait. “It was a long process, but it was definitely worth it. It’s a relief to still be in the EU; it feels like it opens more doors and I still have that European connection that I’m proud of. Besides, I don’t want to have to work in London for the next twenty years or more.”
According to anthropologist Dr. Martha Newson, another reason why EU passports can be seen as such a popular product is purely as a status symbol to brag about. “If you travel a lot, that’s a sign that you can afford it. Having an EU passport is a symbol that says: ‘I value my travels, I value my freedom.’ But it often goes deeper than that. Having relationships with other cultures “is incredibly empowering,” she says. “That’s what we’re looking for – belonging – and if we think we don’t belong in England, finding we belong somewhere far away can be transformative.”
A greater sense of belonging is something Warren experienced deeply while putting together his own application. “Initially I viewed obtaining an EU passport as a transaction, but the research I did into my family history made me feel more connected to my European identity. Which actually, the more I think about it, is probably more important to me than the ability to travel or work in the European Union.”