After a few years of residence in Spain, a foreign citizen living in our country may apply for Spanish nationality.
WHEN IS IT POSSIBLE TO OBTAIN THE SPANISH NATIONALITY BY RESIDENCE?
Spanish nationality can be obtained if one has resided in Spain for ten years legally, continuously and immediately before the application. However, there are cases in which the period of residence in our country may be reduced to acquire Spanish nationality by residence. We refer to periods of:
- Five years, for foreigners who have obtained refugee status.
- Two years, for those citizens of Latin American countries, Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea, Portugal or persons of Sephardic origin.
- One year, if the foreign citizen is among one of the following cases:
-He/she was born in Spanish territory,
-He/she has not duly exercised his/her right to acquire the Spanish nationality by option,
-He/she accredits having been legally subject to the guardianship or foster care of a Spanish citizen or institution for two consecutive years, even if he/she continues in this situation at the time of the application,
-He/she who, at the time of the application, has been married to a Spanish citizen for one year, as long as he/she is not legally or de facto separated,
-He/she is the widow or widower of a Spaniard, as long as he/she was not either legally or de facto separated from the spouse at the moment of their death, and
-He/she who was born outside Spain, to a father or mother (also born outside Spain), grandfather or grandmother, as long as all of them were originally Spanish.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO OBTAIN SPANISH NATIONALITY?
Nationality is the legal bond that unites any person with the State. It also has a double aspect: on the one hand, it is a fundamental right and, on the other hand, it constitutes the legal status of a person.
Thus, when you have Spanish nationality, you not only have certain rights that are enforceable by the Spanish State but, in return, you must also comply with a series of obligations, just like any other Spanish citizen.
IS IT POSSIBLE TO HAVE TWO NATIONALITIES AT THE SAME TIME?
In some cases it is possible to have two nationalities. In fact, some countries do not necessarily oblige you to renounce the pre-existing nationality when obtaining the Spanish nationality, which undoubtedly entails many advantages.
The concurrence of two nationalities in the same person has as a consequence, the possession of a double legal bond. Therefore, as a citizen of two countries, any person with dual nationality enjoys the full legal status of 'belonging' to both States. However, it is important to know that having dual nationality does not mean that one is simultaneously subject to the legislations of both countries. On the contrary, a series of means are articulated to give preference to one nationality or the other so that a person has a point of reference as far as citizen-state relations are concerned. For this reason, it is important to count on the guidance of a professional expert in nationality matters who can analyse in detail the regulations set out in dual nationality agreements that are in force. As such, you will have all of the necessary information, and understand the advantages and disadvantages of the new condition of dual nationality. In this regard, it should be noted that the habitual residence is usually taken as the point of reference so that the persons concerned are not constantly subject to both legislations, but rather only to those of the country in which they actually have their habitual residence. This applies, for example, to the granting of a passport, diplomatic protection, the exercise of civil and political rights, labour and social security rights, etc.
CAN SPANISH NATIONALITY BE LOST?
The most common cases in which we can find ourselves facing a loss of Spanish nationality are usually when you are emancipated, reside abroad and voluntarily acquire another nationality, without knowing the consequences of this. Also, when you exclusively use the nationality that was attributed before the emancipation or the coming of legal age.
Nevertheless, thanks to the legal advice of a professional in migratory matters it is possible to be in possession of the specific information necessary to understand how to avoid the loss of the Spanish nationality. By way of example, this circumstance would occur when, within three years, the wish to continue conserving the nationality is declared. This is important if you do not want to have unpleasant surprises and, therefore, I insist, it is crucial to count on preventive advice and legal guidance from a lawyer expert in procedures and management in immigration. Your advisor will inform you first hand about the exercise of this right to retain nationality before the Spanish Consulates in the foreign territory in which the dual national is located. Let us not forget that nowadays, our consular offices and embassies are the ones that perform the functions of the Civil Registry in this regard.
How to OBTAIN the Golden Visa
Special interest for foreign citizens who obtain the residence in Spain after an important real estate investment (500.000 euros), otherwise known as GOLDEN VISA residents:
At Conesa Legal we have in depth know-how in real estate investment. We are observing that Spain is becoming more and more attractive to many citizens of other states who decide to invest in real estate, not only to reside with their families, but also to rent or even to undertake a professional activity on their own or behalf of others.
Moreover, we note that the investor's residence permit is the only one that does not oblige permanence in Spain in order for it to be renewed. Indeed, as an investor, one is not obliged to acquire fiscal residence. The residence authorisations known as Golden Visas are valid for two years and in order to maintain and renew the visa the investor will only have to enter Spanish territory at least once a year. Also, he/she will be able to renew his/her residence indefinitely, logically, as long as he/she maintains his/her investment. If he/she does not maintain it, there are ways to change the residency card, once the specific case has been logically studied and the alternatives to be implemented have been analysed.
After 10 years, the investor may also obtain Spanish nationality. This term will also be reduced if the investor is a national of a Latin American country or if we can apply to his/her situation one of the possible cases of reduction of residence terms referred to at the beginning of this article.
For more information you can contact us here: on the contact page, and we will be delighted to help you.
