Citizenship in Spain

Citizenship in Spain and the main ways to obtain it

Why do many of our fellow citizens and not only them choose Spain as a permanent place of residence? It should be understood that this country is considered to be one of the most developed in Europe. It has a very warm and mild climate, excellent infrastructure, and the standard of living is one of the highest in the world.

How can one naturalize in Spain? How to obtain a passport with Spanish citizenship, and what options should be considered? Is it really possible to obtain citizenship of Spain? In fact, obtaining a residence permit with subsequent permanent residence and a passport is not difficult under certain circumstances and if you belong to one of the categories described below.

The general rules, however, apply to all applicants. According to them obtaining Spanish citizenship takes at least ten years. However, there are some exceptions which we will discuss later.

Obtaining a passport of Spain through investment

This option can be recommended to people who have a certain amount of capital and want to move to the country as quickly as possible. Several aspects should be distinguished here: how is it possible to obtain citizenship of Spain for those who are in no way related to this country, for example?

The answer in this case will be positive, and the naturalization procedure itself is not particularly difficult if the required amount of finance is available. You will obtain citizenship, but only in 10 years. This period can be significantly reduced taking into consideration the accompanying circumstances.

These include the presence of Spanish relatives, marriage, the presence of caretakers and so on. So, the main steps in obtaining citizenship through investment will be:

Step 1: obtaining a residence permit

If you have a sufficient amount of money, you can start your way to citizenship by participating in one of the investment programs for migrants in Spain. With their help you can get a residence permit in just 60 calendar days.

Today, there are several ways to obtain the so-called “golden investment visa”:

• Acquisition of real estate objects (housing, offices, industrial premises) – the amount of investments starts from €500.000.

• Purchase of government bonds by an investor – the amount of investments starts from €2 million.

• Purchase of shares of public and private companies – the amount of investments starts from €1 million.

• Opening accounts in financial institutions – the amount of investments starts from €1 million.

• Establishing your own business (company) and hiring local employees. What to choose from the above? Everything is determined by the needs, wishes and capabilities of the investor, however, most often investors choose the first option with the purchase of real estate objects, since here, in principle, everything is quite clear and accessible.

At the same time you should remember that it will be possible to return your investments no earlier than in 5 years. All this period you can use the purchased objects (let out for lease, for example), after which you can sell them.Technically, any investment proposals imply their subsequent return, however, real estate is considered to be the most “reliable” and safe option.

Step 2: obtaining permanent residence

Once you obtain your long-awaited residence permit, the next step is to obtain permanent residence for you and your family members. Permanent residence can be issued only in five years, and the main requirement is to live in Spain for at least six months every year.

You and your family are required to integrate into economic relationships, which includes paying taxes, obtaining education for your children, using health insurance, learning Spanish, and so on. What is the difference between permanent residence and citizenship of Spain? There is almost no difference, but you will not be able to move to any other European country with this document.

However, you are free to work, obtain education and travel without restrictions.

Step 3: Citizenship and a Spanish passport.

After you receive permanent residence, you must wait another 5 years, after which you get the opportunity to apply for a Spanish passport for each member of your family. The basic requirement does not change: you must live in the country for six months every year, pay taxes regularly and integrate into the community.

Technically, if you follow the specified procedure and requirements, you will receive Spanish citizenship with 100% probability.

Advantages and disadvantages

Of course, the investment option for obtaining citizenship remains attractive to many, but it has both advantages and some disadvantages:

The advantages include:

• Guarantees

Guarantees of the Spanish state that you will definitely obtain a residence permit, permanent residence and a passport of a Spanish citizen in the end.

• Duration

Very prompt obtaining of a residence permit, after which you can live in Spain as long as necessary.

• Conditions

Investment programs are ideal for those who plan to move with their families.

• Simplicity

Transparent conditions, a minimum package of documents, no need to pass exams to confirm knowledge of the language.

• No borders within the EU

Ability to visit any country of the Schengen area.

• Education opportunities

Obtaining education at any university in Europe.

• Funding opportunities

Possibility of getting loans in European banks.

• Return of investment

Possibility to return the invested funds at the end of a 5-year period.

Disadvantages of investment programs are:

• Minimum stay in Spain

Living in the territory for at least six months annually.

• Restrictions for employment in local companies

The status of a residence permit does not give you the right to work on a general basis within five years before you obtain permanent residence.

• Investment freeze

Investments will be “frozen” for the same period.

Naturalization

If for some reason the first option is not good for you, you can consider naturalization, which may be relevant for any non-resident of the country who wants to become a Spanish citizen. A feature of naturalization is that this option is almost completely identical to the one just considered.

You also go through the main stages that take at least an established 10-year period. At the same time, naturalization is not a 100% guarantee of obtaining Spanish citizenship. Its main disadvantages include:

1. The need to have a clear purpose – what you are here for (contractual employment, education, etc.).
2. The difficulty of obtaining citizenship for the whole family (each member of your family must seek and prove the grounds for his or her stay in Spain).
3. Serious restrictions due to the state-imposed quotas and corresponding waiting lines, which can delay obtaining a passport for an unlimited period. Difficulty in obtaining citizenship for the whole family (each member of your family must seek and prove the grounds for his or her stay in Spain).

Family reunification

This option can be considered by applicants whose immediate family already resides in the country. Who can use this method:

1. A spouse of a Spanish citizen, as well as their children.
2. Minor children of Spanish citizens.
3. Children of non-resident applicants who already reside in the country and have a residence permit, permanent residence or are of retirement age.

Spanish citizenship by origin

This option should be considered by children who were born in the country and fit the established restrictions. Some applicants mistakenly think that it is enough for a child to be born in the country to obtain citizenship, but this is far from the case.

There are three main restrictions:

1. Mother or father of the child was born in the country.
2. Mother and father have been living in the country for at least a year and have already obtained a residence permit.
3. Mother and father have been living in the country for at least a year and have already obtained a residence permit.

Spanish citizenship through marriage

You can marry a Spanish citizen, after which you get the right to apply for citizenship and move to the country. This option implies the possibility of applying for a passport by the applicant after 12 months of residence with his or her spouse in Spain.

In this case, once you received a visa or residence permit, you must continuously reside in the territory within the given 12 months. When you apply for a passport, the relevant authorities check whether your marriage is official and whether it is currently valid.

In addition, citizenship can be obtained earlier in cases where the legal spouse dies unexpectedly upon a 12-month period.

Citizenship for persons with caretakers

If you have been adopted or are under the care of Spanish citizens or foundations, you may be eligible for Spanish citizenship. The only requirement for the applicant is that at least 24 months have passed since the conclusion of agreement of the custodial care or adoption.

What gives a passport and citizenship

Why do you need a Spanish passport and citizenship? The main reasons are:

• Opportunity to live, study and work in one of the most developed countries in Europe and the world.

• You can move to another European country for permanent residence at any time.

• Obtaining education in any universities of the European Union.

• Good salary level and low living expenses.

• One of the best medical fields in the world.

• Opportunity to get good loans.

• Safety and security of bank accounts.

• Visa-free regime with many countries.

In addition, you can purchase and register any property and real estate objects in Europe.

The easiest and fastest ways to apply for Spanish citizenship

The easiest way is to choose the option of obtaining citizenship through investment or through naturalization. If you choose between these two options, the investment will be a more reliable choice with a guarantee of the desired result. Any other methods can be considered in an individual and specific context, as they are not appropriate for everyone.

It can be quite difficult to independently determine which option will be optimal for your particular case. That is why we recommend using the services of our specialists, who will consider each case individually and advise the best option for obtaining citizenship.