In recent decades, the introduction of ‘citizenship tests’ in European countries has dramatically changed the way migrants can access long-term residence status and/or citizenship. Studies have shown that the requirements related to the knowledge of the language, history and ‘values’ of the host country represent additional barriers to the legal and social inclusion of migrants (Joppke, 2007). At a more general level, studies show that the citizenship tests and the ceremonies that follow them are based on new understandings of national membership and of the boundaries between citizens and non-citizens (Walters, 2004). In this panel, we explore further the nature of citizenship tests and their impact on migrants in different European countries. We analyse comparatively how these tests are constructed and how migrants navigate and negotiate the requirements for accessing citizenship in different national contexts. We explore how the current debates surrounding the European migration crisis, border struggles, austerity and the ‘Brexit’ referendum affect implementation of citizenship tests and the practices which surround them, as well as migrants’ motivations for – and experience of – the naturalization process in EU countries.