So, here's an odd question...

[lizardesque]

I have the opportunity to possibly obtain citizenship of Luxembourg (I'd have dual citizenship here and there). I won't get into details, but within a certain time period you can apply to do this if you had relatives who met certain criteria. My brother started the process maybe 8 months ago, and I'm sort of thinking of riding his coattails and doing it as well. I mean, how often do you get the opportunity to obtain dual citizenship?

The whole process (which isn't a guarantee, but from what I've heard, most people who meet the initial requirements are granted citizenship) takes about 2 years and costs about $1200, plus the cost of a trip to Luxembourg (you go there at the end of the process to finalize things). I can afford it, but I'm hesitant, and I'm sort of exploring my motivations. Do I just want this because it would be cool to say I have dual citizenship, and would that really be worth all the money and effort? On the other hand, I suppose you never know what the future holds and if dual citizenship might ever come in handy.

Anyway, any thoughts on what you'd do if you were in my position? If I do this, I should start relatively soon because of the time limits and also because, if everything works out, my brother and I could plan our trips there together.

[sitnspin]

I will give you a key to my condo and you can be a resident of my house.  It will only cost you $1000, so I am saving you $200! 

I am cheap, so I wouldn't spend that kind of money unless it was REALLY worth it.  Can't you just travel with your brother there anyhow without the citizenship?

[lizardesque]

Yeah, sure. There's nothing to prevent me from just *going* there at any point.
Still, I can't deny that I'm very drawn to the prospect of dual citizenship--I'm just trying to figure out why that is and if it's actually worth pursuing.

[OrangePixyStix]

I think I would go for it, but I like the idea of a hassle-free escape plan out of the country if there was not as much red tape to cross to get there and live legally. Not that I'm super paranoid or anything, but there were times when traveling in Europe where I honestly felt safer than traveling in the US (particularly when alone, funny enough) so the thought of having another potential country of citizenship would be kind of nice to have in my opinion.

[sapphire bou]

If you've got the time and money and you want to, go for it. If you're debating, figuring out why is your first step to making the decision.

I wouldn't spend the time or money. But that's just me.

[MyName]

I assume you have some kind of connection to the place given your family is eligible for this, but do you have a personal connection? Have you been there before? I probably wouldn't bother if not, and maybe even if so. If I can't put my finger on why I'm spending money, I usually don't spend it.

Has your brother told you what he thinks the benefits are?

[honeydew1894]

May 13, 2015 11:39:56 GMT -5 MyName said:

Has your brother told you what he thinks the benefits are?

This is what I am wondering also.

[lizardesque]

Yeah, I have the ancestral connection, obviously. I've never been there, and I don't have much of a personal connection at this point. However, Chris (my bro) said that once he started looking into it, he felt a connection and wanted to know more about our relatives and the lives they led (not that that necessitates becoming a citizen of Luxembourg). When I asked him what made him decide to do it, he mentioned that. Plus, he knows other people who have done similar things, and, at the time, there was nothing like it available for our ancestry and he had kind of wished there was. He has gone through some periods of some pretty serious disillusionment with the U.S., particularly when Bush was president and several states were attempting to (some successfully) ban gay marriage. So, when he became aware of this option and its limited time window, he decided to take it.

Having never been to Luxembourg, I don't know if I'd want to live there, but citizenship in an EU country would potentially allow me to live and work anywhere in the EU. I don't know if I'd ever move there permanently, but when I'm a famous best-selling writer, perhaps I'll want to go spend a year in Amsterdam to write my next book. Who knows?

Part of me feels like it's frivolous unless I'm very serious about wanting to live there. But then, part of me thinks I'll regret it if I don't try.

[jennynumbers]

I am not sure if I would actually do it, but I think I would seriously consider it. Who knows what is going to happen in America in 10, 15, 30 years. It doesn't seem like we've been making much progress regarding equality.

[darkling_glory]

I would do it in a heartbeat. I don't have any real reason behind this, but I would.

[MyName]

You should look into tax sheltering and private banking opportunities there if you pursue it. lol

[lexxasaurus]

May 13, 2015 18:45:38 GMT -5 darkling_glory said:

I would do it in a heartbeat. I don't have any real reason behind this, but I would.

I'm here. I don't have an amazing reason but if i could afford it, i would do it. Citizenship isn't one of those things that goes away in a year or two if you don't use it, so who knows what the future holds and whether or not you'll want/need it. I think it's a great opportunity.

[lizardesque]

I asked my Magic 8 Ball if I should do it, and it said, "It is certain."
Of course, it also said "Yes," when I asked it if I should light my socks on fire (you know, just to see...).
So, yeah, I'm still undecided.