If you are looking to settle down and live in Spain, there are two ways for you as a foreigner to obtain a passport from Spain and become a Spanish citizen someday: the first one is by completing a ten-year residence, and the second option is by marrying a resident of Spain. Read further to learn more and be guided about the two ways on how to become a Spanish citizen:
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By Completing the 10-year Residency
One way to qualify for Spanish citizenship is by living in Spain for ten years. However, you have to make sure that you must be a good citizen before you apply— meaning, you have to be financially stable and have no criminal offense showing on your records in the past.
Furthermore, you have to be sufficiently integrated with the Spanish community, which means that you know how to speak their language fluently, respect the Spanish culture, beliefs and traditions, and obey the country’s rules and regulations.
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By Marrying a Spanish Resident
Marrying someone from Spain will grant you easy access to Spanish citizenship. However, you should take note that you must marry out of love and not just for the sake of citizenship as it is illegal and may bring you consequences once they find your marriage sketchy during your visa or citizenship application.
The embassy is fully aware that a lot of people are taking advantage of marriage for the sake of visas or citizenship. This is why they became very strict. With that said, expect that you and your future husband or wife will undergo a very tedious process. That includes attending a series of interviews, surprise house visits— technically, both of you will be under their nose for a very long time, and you have to prove that your love is genuine.
Applying for The Citizenship
Once you have satisfied either of the ways mentioned above, the next step is to go to a civil registry near you. Do not forget to bring your filled Spanish citizenship application form and all the supporting documents with you. These supporting documents may include bank statements, proof of address, and endorsement letters from a friend or family member and relatives from Spain.
Moreover, make sure that all your documents have certified translation. You can hire a professional translation service to do this for you. Translingua’s certified translation services will not only save you from a lot of headaches but also ensures that your long-awaited Spanish citizenship application won’t get rejected or delayed.
Hiring an expert immigration lawyer is also a good option as they can assist you with each step of the process of obtaining your citizenship.
Keep in mind that you must be 18 years or older in order to qualify for Spanish citizenship. If you are below the minimum age, legal assistance or guardian is a necessary requirement.
Hopefully, this article has helped you learn more about how you can become a Spanish citizen. This country is indeed a charming and warm place, which is why it’s hard to resist wanting to live there for good.