How to Get a European Passport Without Working in Europe | No Investment, No EU Residency Needed

Overview

The video argues that Saint-Martin (a Caribbean island split between France and the Kingdom of the Netherlands) could be an “underrated” way to obtain an EU passport without investing in EU property or living in mainland Europe.

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Core claim: EU citizenship via naturalization on the island

• Saint-Martin has been divided since 1648, with:
  • the French side (EU / “French side”)
  • the Dutch side (Kingdom of the Netherlands / “Dutch side”)
• The speaker claims there are no border crossings between the two sides, and people can move between them easily.
• If you reside and naturalize on either side, the creator claims you become a citizen of France or the Netherlands, which the video presents as providing full EU rights.

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Why the creator says this route is attractive now

The video contrasts Saint-Martin with other citizenship/residency-by-investment routes, saying many have tightened or ended, including:

• Spain ending its “golden visa” (noted as dated 2025 in subtitles)
• Malta’s program being declared illegal by the European Court of Justice (also referenced as 2025) and being phased out
• Greece increasing property thresholds (claimed €800,000)
• Portugal abolishing the real-estate golden visa option and restructuring its program

Implication in the video: Saint-Martin supposedly does not require investment (i.e., no “golden visa”-style property purchase) if residency is maintained.

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French side path (toward a French passport)

The French side is described as managed by a prefecture and offers four routes:

1. Local work permit

   • Requires a job offer from a French-side employer
   • Permit is renewed annually
   • Time counts toward 5 years

2. Self-employment / entrepreneurship

   • Requires a viable business plan
   • Requires qualifications/experience
   • Requires projected income meeting minimum/national wage requirements
   • Examples mentioned: consultants, digital marketers, tour operators, real estate agents, diving instructors, remote developers

3. Passive income route (similar to Portugal D7)

   • For retirees / people with sufficient funds
   • Requires proof of stable income
   • Requires private health insurance
   • Requires housing
   • Cannot work, but residency counts

4. Family reunification

   • Mentioned, but explicitly not recommended

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Dutch side path (toward a Dutch passport)

The Dutch side is described as offering three routes:

1. Work permit + residence

   • Similar to an employer-sponsored route
   • Examples listed: hospitality, healthcare, IT, marine engineering, finance, specialized professions

2. Self-employment / “director’s residence”

   • Requires registering a company in Saint-Martin
   • Requires submitting a business plan
   • Requires proving qualifications and funds
   • The video says the plan includes employing locals where possible

3. Family reunification

   • Described as possible if marrying a local resident

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DAFT mention (and why it doesn’t apply, per the video)

• The presenter notes the DAFT treaty (Netherlands–US) but claims it does not apply to Saint-Martin—only mainland Netherlands or Curacao.
• The creator suggests:
  • If someone wants DAFT benefits and is US-based, they should consider Curacao
  • For two passports, they should prioritize entrepreneurship or the French/Dutch Saint-Martin paths

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French vs Dutch comparison: the dual citizenship decision point

A major decision point is portrayed as whether dual citizenship is allowed:

• The video claims:
  • The Netherlands does not allow dual citizenship, implying you may need to renounce your original passport when naturalizing
  • France allows dual citizenship, so people from countries that allow dual citizenship (examples given: US, Canada, many European countries, Australia, New Zealand) should prefer the French side
• The video suggests that people from countries that do not allow dual citizenship (example given: India) may have to choose differently, depending on what must be surrendered.

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Implementation steps and document burden

The video outlines a process:

• Step 1: Choose a side first

  • French or Dutch, not both simultaneously

• Step 2: Choose a route

  • Work, business/freelancing, passive income, etc.

• Step 3: Prepare documentation

  • Described as the longest part, including:
    • birth/marriage certificates
    • criminal record certificate
    • proof of income/savings
    • qualifying health insurance tied to the relevant territories
    • proof of residence
    • a business plan (if self-employed)

• Step 4: Apply for a long-stay visa, move, register

  • Then “count down” toward 5 years before applying for citizenship (leading to an EU passport, per the video)

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Risks and “common mistakes” emphasized

The presenter flags several downsides:

• High cost of living due to island import needs
• Small-island fatigue (mentions limited size: 87 km²)
• Hurricane season risk (June–November) requiring insurance and backup planning
• Limited labor market due to small population (about 75,000)
• Serious consequences of renouncing Dutch citizenship (based on the video’s dual-citizenship claim)

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Sponsorship / promotional element: Stable.com

The video includes a sponsored integration for Stable.com, described as helping with:

• bank transfer fees/delays when moving money across borders during relocation or visa funding

The presenter states transfers are “free” except for network fees, and shows estimated arrival amounts.

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Presenters / contributors

• Adina Gori (host/creator)
• Nidhi (financial/digital creator; founder of two Canadian companies mentioned: Rese Network and Creatify)