British citizen with EU spouse

[alast85599]

Hi

I'm a British citizen and my wife is Portuguese. We've been living elsewhere in Europe but will both be returning to the UK early next year. We'd like to apply for British citizenship for my wife but I'm a bit confused about the requirements. I understand that she needs to live in the UK for 3 years to apply for citizenship but reading other documents it seems that EEA nationals need to wait for 5 years. Does this longer 5 year period still apply if she is married to a British citizen and if it does is there any way to reduce it?

Thanks very much

Al

[vinny]

No. Prior to naturalisation, she also has to attain PR (15) first. That requires 5 years' residence in the UK.

[Casa]

Under the most recent Rules those who are following the UK route and married to as BC need 5 years residency before qualifying for British Citizenship.

[alast85599]

Thanks very much for your help. Is there anything that need to do at the start or during the five year period or is it just a case of collecting up evidence of employment etc for the five year period at the time we apply?

[vinny]

Yes. Collect evidence showing that she's a qualified person (6) throughout the 5 years.