| How to Get EU Citizenship Posted: 15 Nov 2017 04:00 PM PST Citizenship in the European Union (EU) comes with the ability to work, travel, or study anywhere in the EU without a visa. The road towards citizenship can take several years. To receive EU citizenship, you must actually apply for citizenship in an EU country. The process for citizenship varies from country to country. In general, you will need to live in the country for a certain number of years, gather proof of your eligibility to be a citizen, and submit an application. Citizenship tests, language tests, and an application fee may also be required. If you have already been living in an EU country for a while, however, you may have a strong chance at getting citizenship. EditMeeting the Requirements - Establish residency in an EU country. If you are not already living in an EU country, you will need to move to one to become a resident. Immigrating is a very serious and expensive decision that will require you to apply for a visa, find a job, learn a new language, and remain in the country for several years.[1]
- There are 28 countries in the EU. Becoming a citizen of any one of them will grant you EU citizenship. Each has different requirements for becoming a citizen, however.
- Remember that not all countries in Europe belong to the EU. Moving to Norway, Macedonia, or Switzerland will not help you gain EU citizenship.
- Keep in mind that the UK is currently in the process of leaving the EU. If you apply for British citizenship, you may not have EU citizenship permanently.
- Determine how long you must live in the country to become a citizen. Most countries require that you live there for at least 5 years, although some may have longer residency requirements. Look up how long you will have to live in your desired country before applying for citizenship.[2]
- For example, you must live in Germany for 8 years to get a passport. In France, you only need to be a resident for 5 years.
- Consider your spouse's citizenship. If your spouse is a citizen of an EU country, you may be able to apply for citizenship through them. Depending on where they have citizenship, marriage to an EU citizen might shorten the amount of time you need to live in the country before applying for citizenship.[3]
- In Sweden, you normally need to live in the country for 5 years before applying for citizenship. If you are married or in a registered partnership with a Swedish citizen, however, you only need to live there for 3 years.[4]
- Learn the language of the country you are living in. Many EU countries have language requirements before you can apply for citizenship. Some may require you to take a language course while others ask you to complete a basic language test. Countries with language requirements or tests include:[5]
- Check to see if you have ancestry in any EU countries. Some EU countries will allow the children or grandchildren of citizens become a citizen themselves, even if they do not live in the country themselves. These laws are called jus sanguinis (or right by blood).[6]
- Ireland, Italy, and Greece will give citizenship to children and grandchildren of citizens. Hungary includes great-grandchildren.
- In Germany and the UK, you can only get citizenship this way if your parents were citizens.
- Some countries will have requirements on when your ancestor left the country. For example, in Poland, you can get citizenship if your ancestor left after 1951 while in Spain, your ancestors must have left between 1936 and 1955.
EditApplying for Citizenship - Gather your documents. Make copies of the important documents. Do not submit the original document. While the exact requirements may vary from country to country, in general, you will need:[7]
- A copy of your birth certificate
- A copy of your current passport
- Proof of residency, such as job records, bank statements, travel records, or official mail with your address on it.
- Proof of employment, such as a signed statement from your employer. If you're retired or self-employed, show financial records to demonstrate that you are financially stable.
- If you are married to a citizen of the country, you will need proof of the marriage, such as a marriage certificate, birth certificates of any children, and family photos.
- Fill out the application. This application is typically available on the website of the country's department of immigration. Read through the application carefully before filling it out. While the application is different in every country, you may need to state:[8]
- Your full name
- Current and previous addresses
- Date of birth
- Current citizenship
- Education
- How long you have been a resident in the country
- Details about your family, including your parents, spouse, and children.
- Pay the application fee. You may have to pay for the application to be processed. These fees can wary widely. Some examples of application fees include:[9]
- Ireland: €175
- Germany: €255
- Sweden: 1,500 SEK
- Spain: €60-100
- Take the citizenship test. A citizenship test shows that you are knowledgeable about the country's customs, language, laws, history, and culture. These tests are short, but they are required in many EU countries.[10]
- For example, in Germany, you will be asked 33 questions about German history, law, and culture. You must answer at least 17 correctly.[11]
- This test will usually be given in the country's official language.
- Attend a hearing or interview if requested. In some countries, you must be interviewed by a judge or the police before you can receive citizenship. After you fill out your application, you will receive notification of the date and place of your hearing.[12]
- Go to the citizenship ceremony. Most countries have a ceremony for new citizens. At this ceremony, citizens sworn in. You may receive a certificate of naturalization, proving your new citizenship. Once you have citizenship in an EU country, you are automatically an EU citizen.[13]
- You will usually hear back about whether you have received citizenship within 3 months of your application. Some countries may take much longer, however.
- These ceremonies may take place in big cities or capitols.
- Attendance at this ceremony is usually required for you to receive citizenship.
EditImproving Your Application - Avoid leaving the country for long stretches of time. Your residency in the country must usually be continuous. This means that you must live only in that country for a specified amount of time. If you leave the country for longer than a few weeks a year, you may no longer be eligible for citizenship.[14]
- For example, in France, if you leave for more than 6 months, you may become ineligible for citizenship.
- Increase your yearly salary. Most countries will not give you citizenship unless you make a certain amount of money. Some may request proof that you are employed in the country. If you are married and do not work, you may need to provide details of your spouse's job instead.[15]
- For example, in Denmark, you must prove that you are able to support yourself and your family without relying on any public assistance, such as housing or welfare.[16]
- If you are a student, the requirements may vary. You may need to graduate and get a full-time job before you become eligible.
- Buy property in the country you are living in. If you own a house or land in the country to which you are applying for citizenship, you may have a better case. In some countries, such as Greece, Latvia, Portugal, and Cyprus, you can earn the right to citizenship just by owning a certain amount of property.[17]
- Many countries, such as Cyprus and Austria will let you earn citizenship by investing money in the government, but these usually require at least a million euros of investment.
- The laws vary widely from country to country when it comes to citizenship. Make sure to research and read the laws of the country to which you want citizenship.
- Dual citizenship with an EU country will also grant you an EU citizenship.
- Once you gain citizenship in Austria, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Latvia, or Lithuania, you will be required to renounce your previous citizenship.[18]
- If you have any criminal activity on your record, you may be denied citizenship.
EditSources and Citations __
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| How to Cook Strip Steak Posted: 15 Nov 2017 08:00 AM PST Strip steaks are one of the simplest, richest meats you can cook. Steak does not require a lot of work to get right, and fussing with marinades and spices can detract from the naturally delicious flavor of a good cut of meat. That said, there are a lot of ways to cook a strip steak so that it comes out exactly how you'd like it. EditIngredients - Strip steaks
- Salt and pepper
EditUsing a Grill - Know that outdoor grilling lends a rich, smoky flavor to your steak. Many people swear that a grilled steak, with a little salt and pepper, is one of nature's finest meals. Strip steaks are naturally tender, and only need to be seared on the outside to remain flavorful and juicy. Depending on your grill, you can get very different flavors from your steak:
- Propane: Gas grills impart little flavor on the meat, but are very easy to control. You can adjust the temperatures with a simple knob, allowing you to perfect the cooking process. They also heat up much faster than wood or charcoal.
- Charcoal: Briquettes light up quickly and get hot quickly, and they impart a rich, smoky flavor on the meat.
- Wood-fire: Wood chips, like hickory or oak, often give the best natural flavor to the meat, but they are harder to maintain and light. Many people use a mixture of charcoal and wood instead of just wood-chops.[1]
- Pre-heat your grill to medium-high. If you are using charcoal and/or wood this might take 30-40 minutes (most of the briquettes should be covered in gray ash), but propane grills will only take a few minutes. If you have a thermometer, aim to have the inside of the grill around 400°F. The thinner the steak, the hotter you want the grill, since you don't want to completely cook the inside of the steak before the outside is nice and browned:
- 1/2 inch thick: 425-450°F. You shouldn't be able to hold your hand over the grill for more than 3 seconds.
- 3/4-1 inch thick: 360-400°F You shouldn't be able to hold your hand over the grill for more than 4-5 seconds.
- 1-1 1/2 inch thick: 325-360°F You shouldn't be able to hold your hand over the grill for more than 5-6 seconds.[2]
- Rub the steak with salt and pepper while the grill heats. There is an expression that goes, "salt and pepper are the little black dress of the steak world." Odd connotations aside, the fact is that most steaks are best with only a little bit of seasoning. Rub 1/2 tablespoon of both salt and crushed black pepper on both sides of the steak and let it sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes while the grill heats.[3]
- To determine the amount of salt, think of it as a light snow on an asphalt road -- you can see the road, but the snow (salt) is covering most of it.[4]
- Bigger kernels of salt, like course sea salt or kosher salt, will help the outside caramelize better, so avoid using fine table salt if you can.[5]
- Place your steak over direct heat on the grill. You want to sear the outside, caramelizing it for perfect texture and flavor. Slap the steak over the flame and then leave it alone. Resist the urge to poke, prod, or move it as it cooks.
- Cook each side of the steak over direct heat for 7-10 minutes, depending on desired doneness. They should be browned when you flip them over. If they are black, the grill was too hot. Remember this when you flip the steak and lower the heat, or cook it for half the time. If they are pink, the grill was not hot enough, so try and raise the heat or leave them over the flame for another 2-3 minutes. For reference:
- Medium rare steaks should be grilled for roughly 7 minutes a side.
- Medium steaks should be grilled for roughly 10 minutes a side.
- Well done steaks should be cooked for ten minutes on each side, then left on indirect heat to keep cooking.
- Use tongs to turn the steak, as piercing it with a fork causes the juices to leak out.[6]
- Remove the steak from direct heat and let it cook indirectly until desired doneness. Move the steak to another side of the grill, one without direct flame, and let it keep cooking until the inside is done to your liking. On a charcoal grill, open or close the top vent to control the smokiness -- the tighter it is shut, the smokier the meat will get. You can use a meat thermometer to gauge the meat, or just estimate with time.
- Rare: 130-135°F. Remove immediately after flipping each side.
- Medium-Rare: 140°F. Sear each side for an extra minute longer than you would for a rare steak.
- Medium: 155°F. Let it continue cooking for an extra 1-2 minutes off of direct heat. Flip halfway through.
- Well Done: 165°F Let the steak cook on indirect heat for 3-4 minutes, flipping halfway through.[7]
- Let the steak stand for 10 minutes after removing from the grill. This locks in the juices and flavors, which will escape if you cut it immediately. Tent a piece of aluminum foil over the steak and let it sit before slicing into it.[8]
EditUsing a Stove-Top - Choose a thinner steak if you are cooking on a stovetop. In order to cook the best steak on the stove, you should aim for a piece of meat that is roughly 1 inch thick. This allows you to sear the outsides quickly why still getting the insides well done.[9]
- If your steak is thicker, you'll need to cook the steak on low for a longer period of time after searing both sides.
- Take the steak out of the fridge 20-30 minutes in advance. Let steaks stand 30 minutes at room temperature so they are not cool and the outsides can cook quickly.[10]
- Season the steaks generously with salt and pepper. Rub both sides of the steak with salt and pepper so that it is well encrusted. The bigger the salt you can get (kosher, coarse sea-salt, etc.) the better: bigger pieces of salt stay crunchy and take less time to dissolve into the meat.
- You want a fair amount of salt on the meat-- it shouldn't be all white, but there should be salt on every part of the steak.
- Heat a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1/2 tablespoon olive oil to the pan and swirl to coat. The oil should be smoking just a little, so faint wisps of smoke are coming off the surface.
- Some cooks swear by coconut oil, which has a mild flavor but a high smoking point, allowing you to really cook the outside of the steak.[11]
- If you do not have a cast-iron skillet you can use a normal frying pan instead, but you may need more oil.
- Add steaks to pan and cook for 3-4 minutes on each side, or until browned. You want a nice, caramelized exterior on both sides -- brown but not black. If you flip the steak and it is still pink, turn it back over and leave it until it is nice and crispy on one side.
- Reduce the heat and cook to your desired doneness. Lower the heat to medium-low and cook the steak until the inside is your preferred level of done. If you have a meat thermometer you can use this to get your steak perfect every time:
- Rare: 130-135°F. Remove immediately after flipping each side.
- Medium-Rare: 140°F. Cook for an additional 1-3 minutes on each side.
- Medium: 155°F. Cook for an additional 3-5 minutes on each side.
- Well Done: 165°F Cook the steak for an additional 5-7 minutes on each side.[12]
- Let the steak stand for 10 minutes before cutting into it. You don't want to eat your steak right after it comes off. Waiting locks in juices and flavor as they soak into the meat. Tent a piece of aluminum foil over the steak and let it rest before slicing.[13]
EditVariations - Try rubbing a dry seasoning over the meat 30 minutes before cooking. Dry rubs add flavor to meat without ruining their tenderness, letting you customize your meat to fit the meal. Mix the following spices together with 1/2 tablespoon salt and crushed black pepper before massaging the rub into both sides of the meat. Use equal parts of each spice, roughly 1-1/2 tablespoons, and don't be afraid to mix and match. These rubs are enough for 2-3 steaks.
- Onion powder, paprika, chili powder, and garlic powder.
- Dried rosemary, thyme, and oregano, garlic powder.
- Cayenne, chili powder, paprika, Mexican oregano, garlic powder.[14]
- Brown sugar, chili pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and ground coffee (adventurous cooks only!)[15]
- Use a wet marinade to get moist, delicious flavor into your steaks. Wet marinades are usually effective overnight, so don't try do make one at the last minute and expect a lot of flavor. The acid in wet marinades (vinegar, lemon juice, etc.) also breaks down some of the tissue, making the meat more tender.[16] Be careful though, too much acid can ruin the texture of a steak and make a crispy exterior impossible. Place the steaks in a bag with the marinade and leave them in the fridge overnight to get the best results. Experiment with additional spices or different combinations to find the marinade you love.
- 1/3 cups of soy sauce, olive oil, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, plus 1-2 tablespoons garlic powder, dried basil, parsley, rosemary, and crushed black pepper.[17]
- 1/3 cup red wine vinegar, 1/2 cup soy sauce, 1 cup vegetable oil, 3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce, 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard, 2-3 cloves minced garlic, 1 tablespoon ground black pepper.
- Add a pat of butter to the top of the steak for an extra richness. There is a reason that most steakhouse steaks come with a pat of butter on top. Butter can seep into the cuts of the meat and elevate it with a delicious, moist flavor. You can even make "compound butter" (butter mixed with spices and herbs) to get a little extra flavor. To make compound butter, mix 6 tablespoons butter with the following herbs in a food processor, then freeze the mixture until it is time to put on your steak:
- 1 teaspoon thyme, sage, rosemary, chopped.
- 2-3 cloves minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon chili powder, cilantro, and cayenne pepper.
- Top your steak with something extra to make a perfect entree. Most steaks can stand by themselves as delicious meals, but a little something extra can make them even better. Things to try on top include:
- Caramelized onions, peppers, or mushrooms.
- Fried onions.
- Blue cheese crumbles.
- Patting down the steaks with a paper towel before seasoning removes moisture and can make browning easier.
EditRelated wikiHows EditSources and Citations
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| How to Dye Feathers Posted: 15 Nov 2017 12:00 AM PST If you need to dye feathers for a costume or craft project, you can easily do so using fabric dye, food coloring, or even powdered drink mix. Simply mix the color bath in a bowl and submerge the feathers. Leave them in until they reach the desired shade, then take the feathers out of the color bath and rinse them out. Let them dry, then use them however you wish. EditCreating a Color Bath - Protect yourself and your workspace. Place several layers of newspaper over your workspace to ensure any drips or spills won't ruin your countertop or table. Keep paper towels handy in case of a spill. Wear old clothes or an apron, and put on rubber gloves to protect your skin from the dye.[1]
- Mix a dye bath in a bowl. You can use powder or liquid fabric dye. Refer to the package instructions for the ratio of dye to water. Generally, you'll use ¼ cup (59 mL) of liquid dye or 1 tablespoon (15 mL) of powdered dye with 1 quart (946 mL) of hot water. The water temperature should be about 140° F (60° C).[2]
- Use food coloring to make a color bath. Fill a container that your feathers will fit in with 2 parts hot water (140° F or 60° C) and 1 part vinegar. Add 1 drop of food coloring at a time until you reach the desired shade—5 or 6 drops should be plenty.[3]
- Make a color bath from drink mix. Powdered drink mixes, like Kool-Aid, can be used to dye feathers. Feel free to mix colors together, if desired. Use 1 6.2-gram package of drink mix per 1 cup (237 mL) of hot water (140° F or 60° C). Add the mix and the water to a large bowl.[4]
- If the color is too light, add more drink mix. If it is too dark, add more water.
- Mix the color bath with a stir stick. Use a wooden skewer you don't mind throwing away or a stainless steel spoon, which the color won't stain. Make sure to thoroughly combine the ingredients, stirring until all the powder is dissolved, if applicable.
EditColoring the Feathers - Wash natural feathers with mild soap. Natural feathers need to be washed first to remove oils that can prevent the dye from sticking. Fill a bowl or bucket with warm water and a small amount of mild soap. Place the feathers in the bowl and swirl them around. Let them sit for a few minutes, then rinse them with running water.[5]
- If you purchased your feathers from a craft store you can skip this step.
- Submerge the feathers in the color bath. Carefully place the feathers in the color bath, making sure that all parts and tips are submerged. Press down on the feathers with your stir stick or skewer to keep them submerged if they begin to float.[6]
- Allow them to soak until they reach the desired color. Feathers will absorb color quickly, so they may only need to sit in the color bath for as little as 2 minutes. If you want a darker color, you may need to leave them in for up to 15 minutes. Stir the mixture every few minutes to ensure the color gets absorbed evenly.[7]
- A small amount of color will come out when you rinse the feathers, so let them soak until they are a shade darker than desired.
- Rinse the feathers with cool water. Carefully remove the feathers from the color bath and transfer them to the sink. Use cool, running water to remove the excess color. Keep rinsing the feathers until the water runs clear.[8]
- After this rinse, the color shouldn't fade or rub off as it is permanent.
- Let the feathers air dry. Lay the feathers out on several layers of newspaper or paper towel. Turn them over a few times throughout the process to ensure both sides dry fully.[9]
- Alternatively, you can speed up the process by using a blow dryer on a cool setting.
- Dark feathers won't absorb or show the color of the dye well, so it's best to begin with white or light-colored feathers.
EditThings You'll Need - Old clothes or apron
- Rubber gloves
- Newspaper
- Paper towels
- Bowls or buckets
- Water
- Mild soap
- Fabric dye, food coloring, or powdered drink mix
- Vinegar (if using food coloring)
- Skewer, stainless steel spoon, or stir stick
EditSources and Citations
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