Would you like to become a Spanish Citizen? You can do it by living there. Find out how in this sparkling conversation between Skatz & Walter Ego.

Prefer to watch the video? Click HERE.

For the conversational facts, carry on reading…

Walter: Am I Spanish?

Skatz: Which passport do you have?

W: UK

S: Then you’re not Spanish, you’re a UK citizen.

W: Can I become a Spanish citizen?

S: Yes, there are a few ways. The most common way used by foreign nationals to become Spanish is by living there as an official resident.

W: You said there were lots of ways

S: I did, but to make this blog quick and easy, I’m going to tell you about getting nationality by residency. If you want to know about the other ways, have a look for a link at the end of this article.

W: Hang on, how do I know you’re giving me the right information

S: Well, you can check on the Spanish government website if you want, because that’s what the link at the end is for, that’s where I got this information from.

W: Marvellous! Tell me about getting citizenship through residency then.

S: Okay. There are three requirements that you must prove to the authorities.

W: Number one!

S: Continuous legal residency immediately prior to the application.

W: How long for?

S: That depends on your nationality. I’ll get to that in a few moments. 

W: Okay, how do the authorities know how long I’ve been a resident?

S: Good question. The only proof they accept is proper residency permits or authorisations issued by the immigration authorities.

W: Fair enough, number two!

S: You need to show you’ve shown good civic behaviour.

W: Like not getting drunk?

S: Well, more serious than that. They’ll check whether you have a criminal record in your country of origin, and they’ll also check with the relevant Spanish authorities.

W: I might get away with that. Number three?

S: You need to prove you’ve integrated into Spanish society.

W: How do I do that?

S: You have to pass the tests set by the Instituto Cervantes.

W: Tests, what kind of tests?

S: They check your knowledge and fluency of the Spanish language and your constitutional and sociocultural knowledge of Spain. 

W: Ooh ‘eck, that sounds a bit tricky!

S: Just show an interest in where you live, and what the rest of Spain is like, and read about the history and the politics.

W: And learn Spanish.

S: You should be doing that anyway, but yes you need to be able to have a conversation to pass the test.

W: What if I’m from Mexico and can already speak it?

S: If you’re a national of any Latin American country you won’t need to do the language test.

W: Perfecto!

S: You see, you’re half way there already!

W: Should I take the test then?

S: Ah, you’ve not been here long enough yet.

W: Go on then, you said you were going to tell me how long.

S: I did. So, for you and for most other people, you need to have been a continuous resident for ten years.

W: I’ve heard someone say it’s only 5 years.

S: That’s only for people who’ve obtained refugee status.

W: My neighbour is from Andorra, how long’s he got to be here for?

S: Only 2 years, and it’s the same for anyone from the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea, and Portugal, people of Sephardic origin and people from any Latin American country.

W: So 2 years is the shortest time is it?

S: No, there are quite a few kinds of people who only need to have spent 1 year in Spain.

W: I sense a list coming on.

S: You’re very perceptive. Here goes:

W: Number 1

S: Anyone born in Spanish territory.

W: Number 2

S: People who haven’t exercised their right to acquire Spanish citizenship by having close family links

W: I don’t understand

S: Have a look HERE for details.

W: Fair enough, number 3

S: Someone who’s been legally placed in the custody, guardianship or foster care of a Spanish citizen or institution for 2 consecutive years

W: Number 4

S: Someone who’s been married to a Spanish national for 1 year without being legally separated

W: Number 5

S: The widow or widower of a Spanish citizen, as long as they weren’t legally separated at the time of death of the spouse

W: Number 6

S: Anyone born outside Spain to a parent or grandparent who was originally Spanish

W: Hooray! Is that everything?

S: Almost, there are three final requirements.

W: They don’t make it easy do they?

S: Well, it is important.

W: Aye, go on then. Number 1

S: You need to swear an oath of allegiance to the King, and obedience of the Spanish constitution and laws.

W: Number 2

S: You need to make a declaration renouncing your previous nationality, unless you’re a national of one of the Latin American countries, Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea, Portugal or Sephardic Jews of Spanish origin

W: Lovely, number 3

S: You make an entry of the acquisition of nationality in the Spanish Civil Register

W: I’d be very proud to do all of that

S: And so you should.

W: Are we done now?

S: Just one more thing.

W: What’s that?

S: Peace & Love of course

W: I should have known!

S: See you in the next video!

W: Bye!

S: Let’s dance!

Article by Skatz & Walter Ego

Click HERE for the official Spanish Government Website’s information on this subject