Last Updated on 14th February 2025
Becoming a second passport holder and full citizen of Spain is often a goal for expatriates who already live in the country, are keen to relocate permanently, or have plans to move to Spain with a view to applying for citizenship at some point in the future.
The recent news about the closure of the Spanish golden visa may be perceived as a challenge, where expatriates aren’t now able to qualify for residency status through an approved property purchase – using this as a stepping stone towards citizenship after a minimum period of residence.
However, the positive news is that Spanish citizenship remains attainable, without any reforms to the criteria or eligibility rules around applying for a Spanish passport. However, there may be a need to adjust your plans accordingly if you’d intended on applying for the golden visa.
A Recap of the Closure of Spain’s Golden Visa Scheme
We’ve published more in-depth guides examining the reasons for and specifics of the end of the golden visa in Spain. In short, this is related to housing shortages and demand for premium homes from foreign nationals keen to achieve residency in a short timeframe by purchasing an eligible property.
There are also political factors behind the end of the golden visa – but this doesn’t affect any other visa category, nor should it have a marked impact on the likelihood of you achieving Spanish citizenship in the future.
That is because, unlike some golden visa programmes, Spain has only ever offered residency by investment, which is different from citizenship by investment.
Expatriates could, therefore, gain permanent residency through the scheme, which officially closes in April, but have never been able to apply directly for citizenship without complying with the usual terms and proceeding through a citizenship application process.
Citizenship vs Permanent Residency: The Benefits of a Second Passport
Permanent residency and citizenship may seem similar in terms of permission to live, work, study, carry on a business, and otherwise base your life in another country. Both mean that you’ll usually be a full tax resident, can travel without a visa, and must renew your permit, visa, or passport periodically.
Some countries do not allow dual citizenship, which means that permanent residency may be the only option if you’d like to relocate for the long term and do not wish to rescind your British passport or that from another country.
This does not apply to Spain, where dual nationality and citizenship are recognised. The big variance, therefore, and the reason some expatriates might be keen to progress towards full citizenship and a second passport, is permanence, certainty, and political rights.
For example, citizens have the right to vote in elections, participate in or even stand as candidates in localised elections or offices, never need to renew their citizenship status, and have complete legal rights.
In contrast, some permanent residency visas may have limitations on the rights and protections of the visa holder, must be renewed periodically – and could potentially be rejected if any condition is not met – and do not have an official passport the holder can travel under.
Key Aspects of Applying for Spanish Citizenship as a Non-EU National
Although the closure of the golden visa might be seen as a barrier to Spanish citizenship, the reality is that the rules governing eligibility for a Spanish passport apply irrespective of the visa, route, or residence permit you originally hold to become a resident.
Generally, and dependant on any conditions or limitations on the visa programme you apply through:
- Non-European Union nationals living in Spain as residents qualify for permanent residency after five years.
- Foreign nationals can apply for Spanish citizenship after living in Spain as a legal resident for 10 years.
You’ll need to meet additional rules to successfully apply for a Spanish passport, such as proving that you have met the proficiency standards in the language and showing that you have integrated into Spanish society.
However, the key aspect is that the pathway to citizenship is the same for all expatriate residents and isn’t based on the visa you originally move to the country with.
Understanding the Criteria for Spanish Residents to Apply for a Second Passport
It’s important to note that holding permanent residency status and meeting the minimum stay requirements doesn’t guarantee that a citizenship application will be approved.
The criteria for those applying for a second passport are fairly strict, and even if you’re able to renew your residency permit indefinitely, that doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll automatically be eligible.
As a few examples, you will need to:
- Have a clear criminal record background check.
- Pass a test verifying your knowledge of Spanish culture.
- Achieve a passing mark on a Spanish language proficiency test.
You’d also need to show that you’ve met the conditions for citizenship by naturalisation in terms of the time spent in Spain over the last ten years, especially if you split your time between countries.
Exploring the Various Routes to Spanish Citizenship
There remain several visas that offer Spanish residency, which acts as a pathway to permanent residency and then citizenship, but a lot may depend on your circumstances.
For many, the non-lucrative visa is the obvious alternative to the golden visa, which grants residency to those who have the financial means to support themselves and their dependents.
However, this visa is designed for retirees or those who do not expect to work in Spain, with restrictions on your ability to work, engage in a business or accept an employment position for at least the initial residency period.
In that case, a digital nomad visa may be viable, although this sets rules around the proportion of your income you are allowed to earn within Spain, or a self-employment visa, with minimum personal funding thresholds for those keen to start a business in Spain.
A full and personalised review of your circumstances, plans, income sources, and tax profile is the best way to make these decisions. Our local Chase Buchanan Spanish teams and our UK Administration Centre are always on hand to assist if you’d like more information about anything discussed in this guide.
*Information correct as at February 2025