[anovikov]

>Didn't look into Cyprus at all, but it's on my radar now.

Welcome over here :) i've been here for 17 years and super happy.

>a temporary residency permit based on taking a one year Polish language course

Not surprised. This is an obvious bullshit category. In Cyprus we also have a category like that ("visitor"), who aren't even required to pay taxes (they are in principle obliged to, but tax papers are not among the list of those necessary for extension of permit and immigration officials even say you shouldn't pay taxes - which is false). There same - 1-2 year waits, never have cards on hands just extension papers because they expire before they are ready, and application cancelled if you exit country - but that's a bullshit category and everyone knows it.

But seriously, if i was starting immigration from zero now, i'd start with Spain. Currently it has the best system ever + clear path to naturalisation. Only real downside is the language. If you need a lawyer there, contact me - i have a really good one.

[rozumem]

I agree it's a bullshit category. Even my lawyer said so. But it allowed me to live in Poland legally past three months while my application was being processed. The "hack" was worth it for me. Just wished I could've left Poland and re-entered without issues. AFAIK that limitation and the long wait applied even for those applying for TRC for other more legit reasons. Refugees from Ukraine war had put a lot of stress on the system overall.

Regarding lawyer, noted. The language doesn't scare me as much as the long wait times and inefficient bureaucracy I've heard about Spain. Maybe that's improving.

[anovikov]

It's totally different one. The most efficient bureaucracy i can imagine. You never have to see any people at all apart from when you take your biometrics. There are fixed review times and if they are missed, your document is automatically approved (i know a few people who got very questionable cases approved this way).