Menu
Expat.com

Looking for anyone that has become a Spanish citizen

Post new topic

cluworld360

My family and I am planning to move to Spain and would like to know what to expect in applying for citizenship. My wife is Filipina and I am American. After the 2 year waiting period of living there as perm resident, does it take long in getting official citizenship? Thanks in advance.

See also

Visas for SpainWork visas and permits for SpainUk criminal recordMaximum stay : 183 days ?NLV and DUI conviction 14 years ago
Johncar

A Filipino can apply for nationality after two years legally in spain.  She would be permitted to retain her Filipino nationality  It is not that simple though   My wife was here about four years but failed the application

As a USA National you would have to wait ten years before you could apply and even would be required to renounce your USA nationality or at least you would have to tell the Spanish authorities you had

cluworld360

Hi Johncar,

I was told that since I am married to a Filipina I can apply for citizenship 1 year after she her and my daughter have their citizenship.

cluworld360

I am hoping that info is correct.

Johncar

For sure being married to a Filipino gives you no privileges, however, maybe, but I would need to research it, if your wife gets Spanish  nationality,  you may be in a special position as the spouse of a spanish national.

PapaLima

If your wife becomes a Spanish citizen, then after one year of living in Spain married to a Spanish citizen you are eligible to apply for Spanish citizenship yourself.

The problem is that while your wife is indeed eligible to apply after two years, there are a number of requirements for her to meet, and as Johncar indicated the process is NOT automatic.

She would need to pass the CCSE exam, an exam about various aspects of Spanish government and life.

While she would not need to pass the DELE exam (Spanish language), if she cannot converse in Spanish she would almost certainly fail the interview- so she would need to have at least a somewhat respectable ability to chat in Spanish.

In any case, yes, you are correct- she needs to live in Spain for two years, then she can apply; once her application is granted (and right now they are backlogged over a year!) and she becomes a citizen, you would have to live in Spain married to her for one more year and then you can apply.

As an American, you would have to pass the DELE exam as well as the CCSE exam and the interview.

Best of luck in the process.

Articles to help you in your expat project in Spain

  • Working in Tenerife
    Working in Tenerife

    Are you looking for a job in Tenerife? While there are certainly opportunities, especially for fluent Spanish ...

  • Internet in Spain
    Internet in Spain

    Whether for work or play or keeping in touch with friends and relatives abroad, getting online will most likely be ...

  • Working in the Canary Islands
    Working in the Canary Islands

    The Canary Islands is Spain's southernmost autonomous community, an archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean, more ...

  • Accommodation in Madrid
    Accommodation in Madrid

    Madrid, the bustling capital of Spain, is a popular destination for thousands of expatriates each year. With its ...

  • Popular neighbourhoods in Seville
    Popular neighbourhoods in Seville

    Once you have decided to make the beautiful city of Seville your home, the next order of business is finding a ...

  • Buying a property in Seville
    Buying a property in Seville

    Dreaming of settling into a modern neighborhood with great restaurants and green spaces or a luxury penthouse in ...

  • Customs in Spain
    Customs in Spain

    Before traveling to Spain for your new life abroad, you will need to be aware of the country's ...

  • Developing your social circle in Seville
    Developing your social circle in Seville

    For many people, building a new circle of friends is one of the most daunting aspects of being an expat. Missing ...

All of Spain's guide articles