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Identity, Belonging and Strategic Citizenship. Considerations About Naturalisation Among Italians and Spaniards Living in the EU

Author

Listed:
  • Iraklis Dimitriadis

    (University of Milan)

  • Fabio Quassoli

    (University of Milano-Bicocca)

Abstract

The subject of naturalisation among intra-EU migrants has only recently drawn the attention of social science scholars. Empirical evidence from quantitative studies shows an increase in citizenship applications among this new wave of mobile people, indicating a strategic use of naturalisation. However, there is not a great deal of micro-level research, especially as to the subjective meanings attached to citizenship take-up in a new EU member state. Drawing on 68 in-depth interviews conducted with Italians and Spaniards living in London and Berlin, we argue that an individual’s understanding of naturalisation within the EU context is based on two aspects: on one hand, a strictly pragmatic evaluation of the pros and cons of the new status; on the other, a new sense of belonging as well as new cultural and territorial identifications that intra-EU migrants are not often willing to experience. Therefore, this article suggests that EU migrants that strongly identify with their country of origin and the EU see national and EU identities as conflicting with naturalisation, thus setting aside instrumental considerations. This constitutes a critique to theoretical approaches claiming the diminishing importance of a nation’s cultural self-understanding. Our paper also sheds light on the possible effect of the UK’s departure from the EU on young Southern European migrants choosing to apply for British citizenship, highlighting that it is mostly the implementation of the formal exit process and the actual abrogation of EU citizenship rights that reconfigure patterns in naturalisation, rather than the uncertainty and fears about the future.

Suggested Citation

  • Iraklis Dimitriadis & Fabio Quassoli, 2022. "Identity, Belonging and Strategic Citizenship. Considerations About Naturalisation Among Italians and Spaniards Living in the EU," Journal of International Migration and Integration, Springer, vol. 23(3), pages 1127-1146, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:joimai:v:23:y:2022:i:3:d:10.1007_s12134-021-00870-w
    DOI: 10.1007/s12134-021-00870-w
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Diego Coletto & Giovanna Fullin, 2019. "Before Landing: How Do New European Emigrants Prepare Their Departure and Imagine Their Destinations?," Social Inclusion, Cogitatio Press, vol. 7(4), pages 39-48.
    2. Irene Bloemraad & Alicia Sheares, 2017. "Understanding Membership in a World of Global Migration: (How) Does Citizenship Matter?," International Migration Review, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 51(4), pages 823-867, December.
    3. Sofya Aptekar, 2016. "Making Sense of Naturalization: What Citizenship Means to Naturalizing Immigrants in Canada and the USA," Journal of International Migration and Integration, Springer, vol. 17(4), pages 1143-1161, November.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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