What are all the ways you can get European residency or become a citizen?

Question

I really want to live in France or England but I'd really like to know how to get residency or become a citizen. What I heard is that once you get citizenship of one European country, you can live anywhere in Europe.
The only way i've heard of how to get residency or citizenship is by marrying someone who's a citizen of Europe or a job transfer. Are there any other ways? Websites that state clear information on how to get residency in Europe is welcome as well!

Answer 1

Google on visa, work permits and alike for the countries you are interested in.
If you have a job or training needed in that country you might get a long stay residency and work permit. Some countries give a few wild-cards each year, but I do not know which (apart from the USA.)
After a few years you than can apply for citizenship.
Ireland had (or has) easier rules for descendants of emigrants, but in most countries it makes no difference where your parents were born.

More and more countries insist on a language test before you can become a citizen, and sometimes even for residency and work permits. So if you do not speak the language of the country, think about going somewhere else, or just start learning.

Getting visa and work permits is easier if you have a job offer, so go job-hunt as soon as you know where you want to live, even if it is a year ahead, (get a feel for the job situation.)

Answer 2

If your parent or grandparent holds citizenship you can apply for citizenship. Otherwise you're SOL.