How I got my Spanish Citizenship in 2.5 years

Summary

In this video, the creator shares their journey from becoming a Filipino resident in Spain to finally obtaining Spanish citizenship in just over two years. They discuss the process, challenges, and requirements, including the language exams, cultural tests, and essential documents. With helpful tips on navigating the bureaucracy and avoiding delays, the video offers valuable insights, especially for Filipinos and those from Spanish-speaking countries looking to make Spain their home. The creator highlights the emotional and practical benefits of dual citizenship, including access to an EU passport, and shares personal advice for anyone pursuing a similar path.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker became a Spanish citizen on January 13, 2025, after living in Spain for just 2.5 years, thanks to a special fast-track process for Filipinos and Latin Americans.
• 😀 As a Filipino, the speaker was eligible to apply for Spanish citizenship after just 2 years of legal residency, significantly faster than the typical 10-year wait for other nationalities.
• 😀 After initially being denied a non-lucrative visa for Spain, the speaker successfully applied for Croatia's digital nomad visa before ultimately moving to Spain in March 2022.
• 😀 One of the biggest challenges was securing a spot for the required Del A2 Spanish language exam, which had long waiting times, causing delays in the application process.
• 😀 The speaker attended an intensive Spanish course (4 hours a day, 5 days a week for 10 weeks) to prepare for the Del A2 exam, as well as other exams required for citizenship.
• 😀 Required documents for the citizenship application included a passport, residency card, proof of address, criminal background check, birth certificate, language exam results, and a Spanish culture exam certificate.
• 😀 The cost for the entire citizenship process was approximately €1,158, including fees for exams, translations, legal services, and notary services.
• 😀 The speaker’s citizenship application was approved in just 4 months instead of the expected 9 months, a pleasant surprise that came just in time for Christmas.
• 😀 For the oath-taking ceremony, the speaker chose to pay an extra €285 to complete the process immediately with a notary, avoiding the long wait for a civil registry appointment.
• 😀 Dual citizenship is allowed in Spain, meaning the speaker was able to maintain their Filipino citizenship while becoming a Spanish citizen, which is a significant benefit of the process.
• 😀 The speaker advises future applicants to start preparing for the language exam at least 12 months before their citizenship eligibility and to ensure all documents are up-to-date (no older than 6 months).

Q & A

What was the significant date for the narrator, and why?

January 13, 2025, is significant because it is the day the narrator officially became a Spanish citizen after just two and a half years of living in Spain.

What was the initial challenge the narrator faced when applying for residency in Spain?

The narrator's application for a non-lucrative visa in Spain was denied in 2021, which led them to pursue a digital nomad visa from Croatia instead.

What is one major advantage for Filipinos and Latin Americans when applying for Spanish citizenship?

Filipinos and Latin Americans only need two years of legal residency to apply for Spanish citizenship, whereas most other nationalities need ten years.

What mistake did the narrator make when preparing for the Spanish citizenship application?

The narrator waited too long to book the Del A2 language exam, which led to a significant delay in the process as they had to travel to a distant location for the exam.

How did the narrator prepare for the Del A2 exam?

The narrator enrolled in an intensive Spanish course, which ran 4 hours a day, 5 days a week for 10 weeks. They also studied official practice materials from Instituto Cantes.

What was the process for submitting the citizenship application?

After completing all required exams and gathering necessary documents, the narrator submitted the application through a lawyer in August 2024, which included a Del A2 certificate, a CCS exam certificate, and other translated documents.

What was the cost breakdown for the entire citizenship process?

The total cost was around €1,158, including fees for exams, translation, apostille, legal services, and notary services.

How long did it take for the narrator to receive the decision on their citizenship application?

The narrator received a positive decision in just four months instead of the expected nine months.

What was the final step in the process to become a Spanish citizen?

The final step was taking an oath at a notary to pledge loyalty to the Spanish king and constitution. The narrator chose to pay an extra €285 for an expedited ceremony instead of waiting several months for an appointment at the Civil Registry.

What advice does the narrator give to others considering Spanish citizenship, especially Filipinos?

The narrator advises to start preparing for the language exam early, at least 12 months before eligibility, and to ensure all documents are recent (within 6 months). They also recommend using a lawyer for smoother processing, though it's not mandatory.