Naturalization vs DCPR timings for spouse

[romaberta]

Hi all. I have a question about timing criteria for EU spouse of British Citizen.

I have read that a spouse can apply after 3 years (vs 5 years for the 'normal' applications).

But in case of EU citizens, one needs to have had PR for 5 years + 1. I could not find any information about this timeframe being reduced for spouses of BC.

It's obviously impossible for anyone to apply after 3 years in the country if they have to wait 5 years + 1 for DCPR anyways.

Can anyone clarify?

Thank you

[CR001]

ANY applicant who is married to a British citizen and holds PR or ILR (UK immigration route), can apply for citizenship without holding the PR/ILR status for 12 months. This application will be based on 3 years residence and be a 6(2) of the BNA application. Applicants MUST be physically present in the UK at the beginning of the 3 years qualifying period on the date they submit their BC application.

p.s. there used to be a 2 year + 1 year ILR route (UK immigration route) for BC spouses which changed in July 2012 to 5 years.