How to get Spanish Citizenship?

Spain is a European Union country with an excellent climate, developed infrastructure, and relatively low cost of living. Most importantly, it is a country with a standard of living higher than the European average. Unsurprisingly, many people from post-Soviet countries choose Spain as a place to live. In this material, we will examine the ways to obtain a Spanish passport and what needs to be done to make the process as straightforward as possible.

Method #1: Obtaining a Passport through a Residency by Investment Program

This option is suitable for individuals with or without families who wish to move to Spain immediately. This method is available even to those who have never had any dealings with Spain before. The process of obtaining a passport is relatively simple: you just need to have the required amount of money. The only catch is that if you don't have a relative, guardian, or ancestor in the country, you'll have to wait ten years to complete the process. There are exceptions to this rule, which we will discuss later.

Stage One: Spanish Residency

The simplest way is to participate in the immigration investment program. By taking advantage of this option, you can obtain residency within one or two months. There are several ways to use this method:

• Purchase land or property worth at least half a million euros;
• Invest 2 million euros in government bonds or 1 million euros in investment funds, or deposit 1 million euros in a bank;
• Register a company or invest in an existing business in Spain with a minimum investment of 1 million euros;
• Start your own business in Spain, employing a certain number of people.

The first option is not only the cheapest but also the most advantageous. It is easier to arrange the purchase of real estate than, for example, dealing with starting a business or buying government bonds. Additionally, the government does not control how you use your property, so you can safely rent it out.

The real estate option is the most popular. You can use the property and sell it after five years. In general, any investment pays off over time, but real estate investments carry the least risk. The conditions of the program are quite simple, and the investor can include a spouse and children in the application.

Stage Two: Permanent Residency in Spain

If you plan to obtain a Spanish passport, it is better to apply for permanent residency instead of renewing your temporary residency.

You can apply for permanent residency in Spain five years after you start living in the country. During these five years, you need to live in Spain for at least six months each year. You should demonstrate integration into the local social sphere and economy, which means learning Spanish, paying taxes, and using local healthcare services.

Permanent residency is almost equivalent to citizenship, with the only difference being that you cannot move to another EU country.

Stage Three: Citizenship

Five years after obtaining permanent residency, you can apply for citizenship. The conditions remain the same: living in Spain for at least six months each year and a willingness to integrate into the local society. If you have complied with all the requirements over ten years, you should not encounter any issues in obtaining citizenship.

You are guaranteed to receive government approval if you have honestly followed all the rules. The citizenship application process usually takes no more than a year.

Advantages of this Method:

• Government guarantees for obtaining residency;
• Quick residency processing. The time spent living in the country is not limited;
• The entire family can participate in the program;
• A minimal set of documents, simple tests, and exams;
• Immediate rights to enroll children in European universities and travel within the Schengen area without visas;
• Investments return over time;
• Five years after applying, you can start a business in Spain.

Disadvantages:

• You need to live in Spain for ten years and not leave for more than six months;
• Residency does not grant the right to work in Spain;
• If you buy real estate, you can only sell it after five years.

Method #2: Naturalization

This method is suitable for all foreigners who wish to obtain Spanish citizenship in the future. This option is similar to the first, with the same stages, taking ten years. The difference is that the Spanish government does not provide any guarantees.

The downside of naturalization is that it involves numerous difficulties.

• You must always have a reason for staying in Spain: study, work, etc.
• The necessity of living in Spain must be proven for each family member, meaning someone could be denied, including children.
• You need to wait your turn, which can be delayed due to the high demand. Sometimes, the wait exceeds the stated ten years.

Method #3: Family Reunification

This option is suitable for people who have close relatives in Spain.

Who can obtain a Spanish passport:

• The wife of a Spaniard;
• Children of a Spanish citizen;
• Children of foreign citizens who have lived in the country for at least five years with residency or permanent residency status.

Method #4: Citizenship by Descent

This applies to children born on Spanish territory. However, this does not mean you can come to Spain, have a baby, and the child will automatically receive local citizenship. One of the following conditions must be met:

• The mother or father was born in Spain;
• The parents must have lived in the country with residency status for at least one year;
• The parents, grandparents, or great-grandparents had local citizenship. The applicant must have lived for at least one year with residency status.

Method #5: Citizenship through Marriage

This option is available to people who marry a Spaniard. The spouse must be willing to move to Spain.

You can apply for citizenship one year after living together in the country. Before that, the person must live either on a residency permit or a visa. Of course, the marriage must be valid at the time of application.

Widows and widowers who have lived in Spain for a year can also apply for citizenship.

Method #6: Passport Based on Guardianship

People adopted or under the official guardianship of a Spanish citizen can apply for a passport.

The guardianship period must be at least two years.

Advantages of Having a Spanish Passport

• The opportunity to live in one of Europe's most developed countries.
• The ability to relocate to any other EU state.
• The possibility of starting a business in Spain and working in local companies.
• Educating children in Europe's best universities.
• Advanced healthcare.
• Tax optimization.
• Loans with favorable terms.
• Storing money in the best European banks.
• Visa-free travel to EU countries.
• Buying real estate and personal property in your name.

With a Spanish passport, you can travel visa-free in the Schengen area and enjoy all the benefits of the state. By the way, the Spanish healthcare system regularly ranks among the top five in Europe. As for education, degrees from Spanish universities are highly valued worldwide, and graduates rarely have trouble finding jobs. For school-aged children, the country has many elite private institutions with boarding options.

There are also benefits for businesspeople. You can securely store money in banks, take out loans at favorable rates, and take advantage of tax incentives.

How to Obtain Spanish Citizenship Faster and Easier?

The best ways are naturalization and investment. Comparing these two methods, the investment option seems preferable as it is less risky. Other ways to obtain citizenship are not universal; they suit only a small number of people.

Client GARANT IN Story

Oleg, 48 years old: "I have had Spanish residency for three years now. I hesitated for a long time about which country to choose but eventually settled on Spain. I liked that you could get residency by investing in real estate and renting it out. I bought a beautiful townhouse in S'Agaró. The paperwork took just a few months. They also helped me choose the right property option.

In the future, I plan to obtain Spanish citizenship and start a business here. There are all the conditions: tax incentives and the possibility of getting a loan with minimal interest rates. I also like that prices here are relatively low, and the standard of living is very decent."