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Publication date: 16.04.2024
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How to get Spanish citizenship for a Ukrainian. Obtaining Spanish citizenship can be implemented in several ways, depending on your individual situation. Here are the main ways:
1. Citizenship through residence
This is the most common way to obtain Spanish citizenship. You must live in Spain legally and with official registration for a certain period of time:
The general rule is 10 years.
Exceptions:
5 years for refugees;
2 years for citizens of Latin American countries, Andorra, Portugal, the Philippines or citizens with Jewish Sephardic roots;
1 year for persons born in Spanish territory, married to a Spaniard for at least one year, and for widowers or children of Spaniards.
2. Obtaining Spanish citizenship through marriage. Although marriage to a Spanish man does not automatically grant citizenship, it greatly simplifies the process. After one year of legal residence in Spain, you can apply for citizenship.
3. Spanish citizenship by birth. Children born in Spain to foreign parents can apply for citizenship if at least one parent was also born in Spain.
Persons who were adopted by the Spanish before reaching the age of 18 are also entitled to citizenship.
4. Citizenship under special circumstances
The Spanish government may grant citizenship for special merit or circumstances.
Submission process
To apply for citizenship, you must:
Collect relevant documents: birth certificate, marriage certificate (if necessary), certificate of no criminal record, proof of legal residence in Spain, etc.
Application submission: The application is submitted through the Registro Civil (Civil Registry).
Passing tests: Spanish Language Proficiency Test (if it is not your first language) and Spanish Constitutional and Cultural Knowledge Test (CCSE).
After submitting the documents and passing the necessary tests, the decision to grant citizenship is made by the Ministry of Justice of Spain. The process of obtaining citizenship in Spain. can take several years, so it is important to be patient and check the status of your application from time to time.
Citizenship when buying real estate in Spain. Obtaining Spanish citizenship through the purchase of real estate is not expressly provided for by Spanish law. However, Spain offers a "Golden Visa" program, which can be the first step to obtaining permanent residence and then citizenship.
Golden visa through investment in real estate
The Golden Visa allows non-EU citizens to obtain a residence permit in Spain by making significant investments, including the purchase of real estate. Here are the basic requirements and conditions:
Minimum investment: To qualify for the Golden Visa, an investor must purchase a property worth at least €500,000. This amount must be invested without the use of external financing (loans or mortgages).
The process of obtaining a Golden Visa.
Real estate purchase: After completing the purchase, you can apply for a visa.
Residence permit: A visa is initially issued that allows residence in Spain for one year, after which a two-year extension is possible. This can be extended if you continue to own the property and meet other requirements.
Permanent residence: After five years of legal residence in Spain, you can apply for a permanent residence permit.
Citizenship: After 10 years of legal residence in Spain, you can apply for citizenship.
Additional requirements:
You will need to prove that you have sufficient financial means to support yourself (and possibly your family).
You need to have health insurance in Spain.
You need to provide a certificate of no criminal record.
Please note that the Golden Visa is simply a pathway to the possibility of residence in Spain, not a direct pathway to citizenship. Obtaining citizenship depends on a long stay in the country and fulfillment of other requirements, as described above.
