spainrico

Currently, you need to have lived in Spain (legally!) for at least 10 years and pass exams on Spanish culture and language exams (Speaking, reading, writing and listening) to obtain Spanish citizenship - whilst not impossible probably a serious challenge for most British expats.

However, just read this on a Spanish solicitors newsletter site -

'We also have it on good authority that the Spanish are thinking of removing the need for Spanish language and cultural exams to obtain citizenship in Spain for over 65’s or reduce the standard. More on this as we know more.'

For more https://expatsmagazine.org/brexit-he...enship-voting/

I think this situation is worth watching.

missile

Would there be a financial benefit to gaining Spanish citizenship for a UK national?

spainrico

None that I am aware of - I think it is more about having a DNI and more security. Another point (I think) is that you are then classified as an EU citizen and would retain the automatic freedoms that the UK departure will remove.

Fred James

The only financial benefit I can think of is that passports cost about €20.

spainrico

I think they now cost around 30€ but yes cheaper than a British one.

Boseley

Mine cost €26 a year or two ago and the DNI card cost me €10, I now have an extra surname.

Rosemary

Apparently over 65´s in Hungary do not take a language exam so maybe it will become the norm in other EU countries too.

Rosemary

spainrico

Sorry Rosemary your post has confused me....are you saying over 65s Expats do not take the language exam here in Spain now to qualify for Citizenship?

Lorna at Vicenza

Not yet the norm in Italy as far as I know. Salvini in fact changed all the citizenship rules and regulations in December 2018, putting the price up, moving the goal posts from at least 2 to at least 4 years waiting and introducing the obligation of a B1 language certificate ............ more expense, time and hassle. The language schools must be raking it in right now. All the prefectures have had some notification about this and are now rejecting all applications made on or just after the cut off date because people applying did not have the language certificate. Rejection letters are being sent out like free lollipops. Most schools offering the exam only have a set date once every 3 months and then another month or two at least to get an actual pass certificate, which means that people's police certificates expire in the meantime. Salvini isn't just hated by expats, every Italian school kid has been protesting about him recently.

Rosemary

No, sorry to say that some of my typing did not appear in the post so I have now inserted them again. Gremlins at work.

Rosemary

spainrico

OK thanks now I get it! Surprising the EU does not have a standard on this.

Notdunroamin

That is soooo NOT how the EU works!

Fred James

Citizenship is at the discretion of each member state. The residency rules, however, are the same across the EU unless a particular state has opted out (like the UK). However, if they opt out it only means that they can lower the goalposts, not increase them.

spainrico

Thanks Fred.

wisdomseeker

This is interesting as Italy just introduced the rule for everyone (outside of through ancestry) to need B1 Italian certification. I hope they reverse it as I am otherwise eligible through marriage.