I'm a UK citizen and have a Spanish partner (together over 5 years now). It's a long distance relationship so we've naturally started to talk about the future and it does mean one of us have to make the move! Due to Brexit we have discussed marriage being a good option, perhaps the easiest way to get into Spain.

My partner has a stable income and apartment in Valencia and has said he's happy to support me whilst I find work. I have adequate savings here in the UK but don't wish to eat into them. We have no children to support.

I am due to finish a Masters in mathematics here and I am currently unemployed hence thinking of making the move to Spain. My Castilian Spanish is a C1 level and I can speak Valenciano to a B1 level more or less. I have spent a lot of time in Spain as a tourist (although I understand it is very different to living there).

My biggest worry is not finding work, I did teach English online a few years ago so have a TEFL certificate and experience in that sector, and I'd be happy to pick that up once more whilst finding something more suited to my educational background. I am obviously understanding that due to Brexit it's going to be more difficult regarding visas etc and that's the reason my partner and I have discussed marriage.

I have started researching everything and want to take time to make this big decision but I wanted to throw this post out there because I've always been a bit of a lurker on this forum and have seen some of the good advice people have received.

Thanks!

Firstly mate well done for sustaining a long distance relationship for 5 years between UK and Spain, I’ve tried 3 times and failed lol

Secondly with your level of Spanish and having a Spanish partner for 5 years im guessing you know an awful lot about Spain.

You can actually take 2 exams in Spanish to acquire Spanish citizenship, if you pass them you would be giving up your British passport for a Spanish one and effectively become Spanish, I know people who have taken those exams. The first one is meant to be quite easy but the second one is a written exam, obviously all in Spanish.

If you and your chica are very serious about each other then if it was me I would jump at the chance to become Spanish citizen.

The only thing I can’t tell you is that I do not know if you actually have to be Spanish resident for so long before you can sit those exams.

I hope everything works out for you though

You have to be resident in Spain for a year before you can apply for naturalisation as spouse of a Spanish citizen. Currently the timeframe for naturalisation process is about 1 to 2 years, so you won't be having a Spanish passport any time soon. You need to be married first and then obtain residency as spouse (fairly easy) and live for a year, then apply and wait.

Fair enough

Can I ask, I’m not planning on marrying a Spanish woman anytime soon so with me being a resident how long is it until I can pay to sit those exams ?

I know loads of Indian guys that have done it and are currently doing it and they say it’s pretty straight forward if you speak Spanish and know a lot about Spanish culture which I do but I wouldn’t be comfortable in even trying for probably another 5 or so years.

My life is in Spain, has been for the past 12 years and the only real connection I have to the UK is my mother. I have been thinking about this for sometime now and for me becoming Spanish citizen goes without question.

10 years, unless you are a citizen of one of the countries with historical link to Spain (e.g. in South and Central America, Philippines etc), then it's 2 years.
Spain currently doesn't allow dual nationality with UK, so you will have to give up British citizenship as a condition for naturalisation. This may change - Spain has recently concluded a treaty with France to allow dual Spanish-French nationality.

Thanks, this helps actually because I recently said to myself that in around 5 years time I am going to go for it. I would happily give up my British citizenship for Spanish.