European Citizens

El Presidente wants to offer citizenship to valuable students who study in the EU.

Foreign students completing doctorates in Europe could be offered citizenship in an effort to lure talent and capitalise on the lucrative international education market.

Firstly, just giving them fixed term work permits would surely do the trick here, no need to offer them the jackpot. Secondly, what kind of harmonisation of standards will be needed here?

There are concerns that a fast-track system could trigger a flurry of substandard doctorate programmes and lead to an influx of people able to "buy" EU citizenship without having the skills the Union needs.

Hmmm that would mean opening a new area of business that the EU would need to meddle in. Maybe that’s why his Excellency is so keen.