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🔎 Seeking Professional Guidance: Your Critical Next Step

Before submitting any application or making any investment, it is absolutely mandatory that you seek advice from licensed professionals specializing in the specific country and pathway you choose. Relying on public forums, social media, or general articles (including this guide) is insufficient for managing the legal risks involved.

1. Immigration and Citizenship Law

You need an attorney licensed in the EU country you are applying to. This is crucial for:

  • Verifying Eligibility: An attorney can definitively confirm if your lineage qualifies for Jure Sanguinis (Italy) or the FBR (Ireland), or if your capital qualifies for a Golden Visa.
  • Document Authentication: They guide the precise steps for obtaining apostilles, authenticating foreign documents, and ensuring correct translations.
  • Consular Strategy: They can advise on the best consulate to apply at (especially in Italy, where wait times vary) or manage court filings (like the Italian 1948 cases).

How to Find a Specialist:

  • Consulate Referrals: Contact the Embassy or Consulate of the country in question and ask for a list of accredited or recommended immigration law firms specializing in their citizenship law.
  • Bar Associations: Check the national bar association or legal directories (e.g., the Law Society of Ireland or the Italian Bar Council) for attorneys who list "Immigration Law" or "Citizenship Law" as specialties.
  • Niche Law Firms: Search specifically for U.S.-based law firms that partner with or have offices in the destination EU country, often specializing in dual citizenship.

2. Expat and Dual Citizenship Tax Advice

You must speak with a tax professional who specializes in U.S. Expatriate Tax and the tax system of the EU country you plan to reside in.

  • U.S. Compliance: They ensure you correctly file your FBAR (FinCEN Form 114) and FATCA (Form 8938), and maximize the use of the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (FEIE) and Foreign Tax Credit (FTC).
  • EU Tax Residency: They can model your tax situation under a special regime (like Italy's Non-Dom status) versus the standard progressive tax rates.
  • Investment Structuring: They can advise on the tax implications of transferring assets and investments before you become an EU Tax Resident.

How to Find a Specialist:

  • "Enrolled Agents" (EAs) or CPAs: Look for US-licensed professionals with a specialty in International Tax or Expatriate Tax. They understand both the U.S. side and the impact of Foreign Tax Treaties.
  • Industry Groups: Consult professional tax directories for firms that explicitly advertise services for "U.S. citizens living abroad" or "U.S./EU dual nationals."

⚠️ Final Warning

Never hire a professional who promises to handle both your immigration/citizenship process and your U.S. tax compliance in both countries unless they employ separate, licensed specialists (an attorney and a CPA/EA). It is highly unlikely one person holds both licenses and the necessary international expertise.