Today we are looking at how different EU member countries are introducing language proficiency requirements into their rules for obtaining citizenship.
In Hungary, it has long been necessary to know the language in order to restore citizenship by roots. Latvia has already begun to use the criterion of language proficiency even for a radical measure – deportation from the country. Bulgaria has developed a bill under which applicants will soon be able to face such a requirement.
Cyprus has introduced changes to the law that requires a written language proficiency test to be passed for naturalization, extending the requirement even to previous applicants. Italy has also introduced a bill that will require those wishing to obtain citizenship to know the language at level B1 and above.
Until last year, Portugal did not impose language requirements only for the repatriation of Sephardic Jews. The program is now completely closed. But in Romania, for now you only need to take an oath in the state language.