Jenni Posted January 28 Share Posted January 28 After 7.5 years of being a permanent resident in Spain, I'm aiming to get my Spanish citizenship after a total of 10 years of residency. I am currently considering an extended trip to Thailand, ranging from three to twelve months. To the best of my knowledge, obtaining citizenship in Spain requires 10 years of uninterrupted residence. From my understanding, that entails being in Spain for at least three months over a six-month period. However, I plan to keep paying my social security and autonomo fee while I'm away (I work online). Will the government know that I am not physically in Spain even though I'm still paying taxes? Is it matter for getting my citizenship? I'd appreciate any advice you may have! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Givi Posted January 28 Share Posted January 28 The Spanish government will be able to tell that you are not physically in Spain, even if you are still paying taxes. However, this does not necessarily mean that it will affect your chances of obtaining citizenship. I have been living in another country for more than 2 years, but it wasn't an issue of getting my Spanish passport. As long as you can prove that you're a resident living in Spain for at least 10 years (with larga duracion the requirement is that you must visit country at least once a year). There is a topic about how government is tracking your absence or presents in the country. I don't think keeping paying Social Security will impact your application any how. It is more about your pension 🙂 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anderson Posted January 28 Share Posted January 28 Just to have general info here too. If you are interested in obtaining Spanish citizenship, there are a few important things to know. First and foremost, you must meet certain criteria in order to be eligible for Spanish citizenship. This includes having lived in Spain for at least 10 years, or having been born in Spain to parents who were also born in Spain. Additionally, you must have a clean criminal record and pass a language test proving your proficiency in the Spanish language. Getting Spanish citizenship requires a few steps. First, you must be a legal resident of Spain for at least 10 years. This means that you must have a valid residence permit or visa and have lived in Spain for the full 10-year period. You must also demonstrate that you have integrated into the Spanish community and can speak Spanish fluently. The next step is to apply for Spanish nationality through naturalization. This process involves submitting an application to the Civil Registry Office in your area or On-Line with Digital Certificate, along with any necessary documents such as a birth certificate, proof of residency, and proof of financial resources. Once your application has been approved, you will Once you have met the eligibility requirements, the next step is to apply for Spanish citizenship. This process involves submitting an application form along with supporting documents such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, proof of residence and others. DELE Exam. You need A2 level for the citizenship application The DELE (Diploma de Español como Lengua Extranjera) is a Spanish language proficiency certificate for non-native speakers of Spanish. It is recognized by the Spanish Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport, and is an official qualification that demonstrates one's level of Spanish language proficiency. The DELE exam is offered at six different levels: A1, A2, B1, B2, C1 and C2. Each level corresponds to a certain level of language proficiency as defined by the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). Spanish nationality test The Spanish nationality test is a test designed to assess the knowledge of those who wish to become citizens of Spain. The test consists of 40 multiple choice questions on topics such as Spanish history, culture, politics, geography and language. The questions are drawn from a pool of over 400 questions that have been approved by the Ministry of Justice. In order to pass the test, applicants must answer at least 30 out of 40 questions correctly. Those who do not pass the test will be given additional opportunities to retake it until they are successful. The Spanish nationality test is mandatory for all applicants seeking Spanish citizenship or a Spanish passport. Quote I live in Spain, love this country and share my experience with others. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olga Posted January 28 Share Posted January 28 Bear in mind that the period of absence depends on the resident status that you have... If you are dependant of an EU citizen for example, there are much more strict limitations... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anderson Posted January 28 Share Posted January 28 3 hours ago, Olga said: If you are dependant of an EU citizen for example, there are much more strict limitations... What kind of limitations are you talking about? Quote I live in Spain, love this country and share my experience with others. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olga Posted January 28 Share Posted January 28 @Anderson, for example, if you are a family of a EU citizener, you can't be away of Spain for 6 months per year in total. And there are lots of cases when the nationality has been rejected if a person was away during 3-6 months per year... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.