As long as there is a nationality requirement for participating in national or even subnational elections, it depends on the possibilities for foreigners to acquire citizenship of the country of their residence – and on their willingness to apply for it. According to the European Convention on Nationality (1997), each ratifying state party shall provide in its internal law for the possibility of naturalisation of persons lawfully and habitually resident on its territory. In establishing the conditions for naturalisation, states shall not provide for a period of residence exceeding ten years before the lodging of an application.