Second EU citizenship - what are the advantages for a seafarer
Automatic translation
Today Ukraine has been striving for European integration for a long time. We will not argue about the methods and measures taken, the more important is the question of how this can affect ordinary citizens and working specialties. The benefits are numerous on paper, but let's look specifically at the maritime industry and what gives seafarers the citizenship of a European Union member state.
EU citizenship
First of all, let us dwell on the fact that EU citizenship is a kind of regulator of relations with European (and global) shipowners. Let us remind you that the EU passport equalizes the seafarer's rights with representatives of other European countries, without changing his national status. What does this mean - if it is important for a German or French shipowner to select a team from representatives of the EU countries, then second citizenship makes Ukrainian seafarers quite in-demand specialists. If now there is some reluctance to hire Ukrainians for leading positions in maritime navigation, then having an EU passport can change this situation.
The next point, emerging from the previous one, is that EU citizenship allows, not only to officially find a job in the EU, but it also provides an opportunity for further development after the end of a seafarer's career. Judge for yourself - having an EU passport gives you the opportunity to freely get an education at European universities (including raising your qualifications as an active seafarer), receive high-quality medical care, in accordance with the concluded insurance contract, and obtain loans at low interest rates in European banks ( this is no longer entirely related to the maritime theme, but for retired seafarers, say, this can be a weighty argument). In addition, let's not forget that the EU is, in fact, a state without borders. That is, developing a career as a seafarer, it will be much easier for you in matters of paperwork and visas for boarding a ship somewhere in Europe. Plus, as has already been noted more than once, there is a more loyal and condescending attitude towards seafarers with European passports, to say nothing of the procedures for passing border controls.
Returning to the maritime specialization of the issue of second citizenship, one cannot fail to note the pitfalls. The fact is that in many cases, in order to get the maximum benefit from EU citizenship, the mariner will have to redo the seaman's passport as well as educational documents. Confirmation of qualifications according to the norms of a European country can be a rather time-consuming process, however, in any case, the benefits acquired as a result outweigh the unwillingness to go through these procedures.
Broad perspectives
And last but not least, plus - EU citizenship opens up the broadest career prospects for seafarers. At maritime forums in Ukraine, many seafarers noted that there are many vacancies for good contracts in European crews, where the most important condition is the presence of an EU passport. Thus, the prospect of obtaining a second citizenship becomes the very key that can open the door of the most “delicious” offers on the maritime job market.
Summing up all of the above, the citizenship of a member state of the European Union may become a necessity in the near future. The career development paths of a seafarer can lead to those options when, without a European passport, you simply cannot develop further or in the direction you have chosen. Therefore, our opinion is that it is worth considering options for acquiring a second citizenship right now.
