Citizenship by naturalisation
Law No. 10/L-023
A new Law on Citizenship (No. 10/L-023) was published on 6 May 2026 and replaced Law No. 04/L-215. An adult foreigner can apply after living in Kosovo continuously for at least 5 years after getting permanent residence. Applicants must show integration, sufficient funds, payment of state obligations, and basic Albanian or Serbian. Spouses of Kosovo citizens can apply after 3 years of marriage and 1 year of residence. Kosovo allows multiple citizenship.
Life in Kosovo
Money
3
Currency
Euro
EUR
Euro
Cost of living
41
Price level · US = 100
World Bank price levels, 2022
Tax
8–10%
Income tax (national)
VAT 18%
0% up to EUR 3,000 a year (EUR 250 a month), 8% to EUR 5,400 (EUR 450 a month), 10% above.
Your edge here Members
What gives you an edge here: passports, visas and permits you hold, work, study, language and family ties
Dual citizenship for you Members
Whether this country allows dual citizenship, and what it means for your own passports
Who it’s for
Long-term permanent residents, spouses of Kosovo citizens, refugees and stateless people, and members of the Kosovo diaspora.
Eligibility
Standard route
You need 5 years of continuous residence after getting a permanent residence permit, plus meeting the other conditions listed.
5 years
Residence needed
- Must be an adult
- Show enough funds to live without social assistance
- All financial obligations to the state must be paid
- Elementary reading and writing in an official language, plus knowledge of Kosovo culture and social order
Official wording
Adult; at least 5 years of continuous residence after getting a permanent residence permit; integrated through social, cultural, scientific, economic or professional ties; enough funds to live without social assistance; all financial obligations to the state paid; and elementary reading and writing in an official language, plus knowledge of Kosovo culture and social order (art. 10(1)).
Shorter period in exceptional circumstances
A permanent resident may be considered after 2 years of continuous residence in exceptional circumstances.
2 years
Residence needed
Official wording
A permanent resident may qualify after 2 years of continuous residence after getting permanent residence, in exceptional circumstances (art. 10(2)).
Absences
Your residence counts as continuous if each absence is no longer than 10 months.
10 months
Absence limit
- Longer absences need approval from the competent authority
Official wording
Residence counts as continuous if absences are no longer than 10 months. Longer absences need approval from the competent authority (art. 10(5)).
A sneak peek at what's inside
- Next requirementSpouse of a citizen
- Document checklistApplication form
- FeesNaturalisation administrative fee
The full requirements are for members
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- 5 more requirements
- 7 documents
- 1 fee
- 5 steps
- Processing times and conditions
Places to visit in Kosovo
Attractions picked for you, based on your profile and interests.
Finding places for you…
Official sources
- Official Gazette No. 7/2026 - Law No. 10/L-023 on Citizenship of the Republic of Kosovo (published 6 May 2026; repeals Law No. 04/L-215)
- Ministry of Internal Affairs - Acquisition of Kosovo citizenship (procedures and documents)
- Official Gazette - Law No. 04/L-219 on Foreigners (5 Sep 2013), as amended by Law No. 06/L-036 (3 May 2018) and Law No. 08/L-262 (8 Aug 2024)
Other routes to Kosovo
- Visit & tourismShort-stay visit
- StudyTemporary residence permit for study
- Work permitsTemporary residence and work permit for employment
- Permanent residencePermanent residence permit
- FamilyTemporary residence permit for family reunification
