Poland

Poland's main long-stay visa for foreign workers, students, and entrepreneurs. Year one as a D visa, then a chain of residence permits that lands you at EU long-term resident status after five years and citizenship at eight.

If even one of your grandparents was Polish, this is the fastest line to an EU passport currently on offer. Free to apply, €1,800 settlement grant when you move, Polish university tuition at citizen rates, and the Pole's Card-to-citizenship arc takes about 3-4 years total versus 8+ for standard immigration.