Hello, dear readers! My journey as an expat in sunny Spain has been an adventurous story filled with trials and triumphs. I’m sharing everything I’ve learned about applying for Spanish citizenship in this blog post. This comprehensive guide will hopefully pave a smoother path for those wanting to follow in my footsteps.
Why Choose Spain?
Having lived in Spain for several years now, I can vouch for the allure that this beautiful country holds. The Spanish lifestyle, rich cultural essence, promising job prospects, and sunny weather were too enticing for me to resist. Of course, living in Spain isn’t without its challenges. Overcoming the language barrier and adjusting to a different work culture can be daunting. But trust me, the pros, by far, outweigh the cons.
Eligibility Criteria for Obtaining Spanish Citizenship
Understanding the eligibility criteria for obtaining Spanish Citizenship is important. I found the official requirements on the Spanish Ministry of Justice’s website to be invaluable. It’s worth noting that besides the standard requirements, there’s a need to be patient, persistent, and passionate about integrating into the Spanish way of life.
The statement from the official website, so please read it carefully:
Obtaining Spanish nationality by residence requires the person to reside in Spain for ten years legally, continuously and immediately prior to the request. There are cases in which the required residence period is reduced; these are:
Five years: for the granting of Spanish nationality to those people who have obtained refugee status
Two years: for nationals of Ibero-American countries, Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea, Portugal or people of Sephardic origin.
One year:
- Whoever was born in Spanish territory.
- The one who did not properly exercise his right to acquire Spanish nationality by option.
- Whoever has been legally subject to guardianship (under the supervision of a guardian), guardianship, or foster care (the foster care that allows the reduction of legal residence to one year is that in which there is a resolution of the public entity that has in each territory entrusted with the protection of minors and foster care that is judicially recognized) of a Spanish citizen or institution for two consecutive years, even if they continue in this situation at the time of the application.
- Who, at the time of the application, has been married to a Spanish man or woman for one year and is not legally or de facto separated.
- The Spanish widow or widower, if at the time of the death of the spouse, they were not separated, in fact, or judicially.
- Anyone born outside of Spain to a father or mother (also born outside of Spain), grandfather or grandmother, provided that all of them had originally been Spanish.
In addition, the interested party must demonstrate good civic conduct and a sufficient degree of integration into Spanish society.
The Application Process for Spanish Citizenship
Applying for Spanish Citizenship felt like diving into an ocean littered with official forms and documents. The process starts with submitting a citizenship application at your local Civil Registry, or online using FNMT digital certificate on a web page. After which, expect a testing period of aptitude tests and culture. Don’t let that scare you; there are plenty of resources available to prepare you for these. Personally, I found test preparation materials on the Ministry of Justice’s website pretty helpful.
The documents you usually need to provide:
- Standardized application model.
- Foreigner Identity Card. Family Card of a citizen of the European Union or Certificate from the Central Registry of Foreigners or the Registry of Citizens of the Union.
- Complete and valid passport from the country of origin, as well as the previous one according to the residence period required in each case (original and all pages photocopied)
- Certification of birth of the interested party, duly translated and legalized.
- Criminal record certificate from your country of origin, translated and legalized, by existing international conventions or consular certificate of conduct issued based on consultation with the competent authorities of the country of origin, translated and legalized.
- Diplomas from the Cervantes Institute of the constitutional and sociocultural knowledge test (CCSE) and the Spanish language knowledge test (DELE). It can be replaced by the authorization to consult the Ministry of Justice included in the application form. In the case of nationals of a country in which Spanish is an official language, exempt from taking the DELE exam by the Nationality Regulation due to residence, a valid passport or nationality certificate accredits the exemption. Likewise, knowledge of the Spanish language may be accredited by providing official certificates of teaching Spanish as a foreign language, Aptitude certificates, and Elementary Academic Certifications, issued by the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports. Competent departments of the CC.AA, or Official Language Schools, by current legislation.
Remember, the key lies in staying persistent and optimistic.
Possible Roadblocks in Obtaining Spanish Citizenship
Every journey encounters roadblocks, and mine was no different when it came to the Spanish Citizenship Process. Two of my main hurdles were the bureaucracy and the waiting period. Navigating through Spanish bureaucracy was like a tough puzzle at times, but with a little patience and a lot of help from friendly locals, I saw through it. And then the long waiting period, which can be nerve-wracking, but remember, good things take time.
Conclusion
Applying for citizenship in another country is a brave step; it’s like taking your heart and planting it on foreign soil. If you’re an expat in Spain or planning to move, I hope my Spanish Citizenship Guide will act as a valuable resource. Not only does it make the process easier but it also serves as a reminder that the view is indeed worth the climb. Good luck with your Spanish Citizenship Application!
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