wildbeasts

Hi,

First, sorry if there's another thread about this. I searched and read through a few but couldn't find the exact answer to my question. Basically I'm a spanish-born girl from british parents. They never got me a Spanish nationality, so I got British one just like them. But I have a Spanish birth certificate and have never lived in the UK.

I was basically wondering whether I can keep my British passport if I get Spanish nationality. I am over 18 now so I can apply for one, however I have to renounce to the British one in order to get it.

I'm actually not entirely sure I want to do this, it feel sort of offensive. Even though I was raised in Spain, my household has always had a brit vibe to it and it would feel wrong to renounce to the citizenship. The main reason I want a Spanish nationality is to be able to vote in Spain. Right now I can't vote in Spain OR the UK, which makes me feel a bit useless. But if I do get a Spanish nationality it would be really useful to still have a UK passport. Do you know if I can still get one even if I renounce UK nationality to Spain? Thanks

missile

My son was born in Holland and he has a similar option. AFIK you must renounce your British passport to obtain Spanish one. I can't see any other advantages for you and a whole lot of hassle to change, but if voting is important to you, go for it.

Fred James

You will be asked to renounce your British citizenship but in fact the UK does not allow you to actually do this so you remain a British citizen even if you did formally renounce it in front of a Spanish judge/notary etc.

There is nothing to stop you from keeping your UK passport but don't ever use it in Spain.

Rosemary

As Concierge for the Spanish section of BE I would like to say hello and welcome.

BE is a very large expat website, so if you have problems finding your way around we have concierges who will try to direct you. The moderators for the Spanish forums are Mitzyboy and Fred James, moderators are there to ensure that the site runs smoothly within the rules of BE. Problems and complaints should always be addressed to a moderador who will look into the matter and deal with it efficiently and fairly. Our members who post in the Spain Forums are friendly and helpful with a wealth of knowledge of the issues of living in Spain. At the top of the page you will find a quirkily named thread called Free Beer which is full of important and useful information. Hope you enjoy your time participating in the forums.

Please let me know if you need any further help.

Rosemary
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flotsum

My sister in law was born in spain to spanish parents but was brought up in the UK form the age of 4.. She renounced her spanish citizenship many years ago to get a British passport, then decided to move back to Spain!!! She then renounced her British citizenship to get a DNI and Spanish passport she has never been asked by the UK for her passport back and has renewed it with no problems... just huge expense! Once she had her DNI she just went along to the appropriate office and applied and got the Spanish passport. Do you have to renounce your English citizenship to get a DNI if you have a spanish birth certificate?

EsuriJohn

I think it is not possible to renounce your British Citizenship there is just no mechanism. So you may tell the Spanish that you have renounced it but you cannot. They seem prepared to accept that statement. Britain also does not have a category of dual citizenship as other countries do. So the solution seems to be to keep your UK passport renew it if you want when it expires (very expensive from abroad). Make the appropriate declaration in Spain and get your much cheaper passport and citizenship where you now live.

wildbeasts

Thanks everyone! That's a relief. It feels very wrong to officially renounce in front of a spanish judge but seeing as I have no plans to move away from here permanently, it's more convenient to get a spanish ID and right to vote. Even if it's an expense for some reason I feel safe having a UK passport.

flotsum, yes, even if I have a spanish birth certificate my nationality is british, therefore I get a resident permit instead of a DNI (from the country I was born in, it's so bizarre...)

zenkarma

Huh? Of course there's a mechanism for renouncing British Citizenship. Have a read:

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/br...upnationality/

The reality is that people don't want to renounce their British Citizenship when they apply for Spanish Citizenship. It's nonsense to suggest there's no mechanism for doing it.

Spain should insist that British Citizenship is properly renounced before allowing anyone Spanish Citizenship with all the correct paperwork in place beforehand.

mikelincs

You can say what you like to the Spanish judge, but your British Citizenship will remain valid, there is a very long and convoluted method to renounce British Citizenship, but it's not normally used. Even people who become US citizens declare at their oath taking ceremony that they renounce all other citizenships, and then continue as dual citizens.
The UK passport does give you e simple way into the UK with full rights.

Fred James

Even if you go through that process it is pretty meaningless as you can ask for it back any time you like!

guirijohn

One disadvantage of having dual citizenship is that in a war you could be called up by both sides, but I suppose you could always flee to Moscow airport.

As for voting, Spain had 5 million unemployed under the socialists and it also has 5 million unemployed under Partido Popular. Your vote is unlikely to make much difference.

It does seem odd that the EU allows free movement of labour, but voting is tied to citizenship. It would make more sense to vote where you are permanently resident, but I suppose governments do not want this.

mikelincs

That is only true for parliamentary elections, of, in Spain, you are on the padron, then you can vote in EU and local elections, same applies to the UK, on the electoral roll, then you can vote, EU and Local elections if you are not a UK citizen, other groups do ahve the right as well.

guirijohn

This is true but real power is exercised by central and autonomous government. What is the logic of allowing non citizens a say in local but not national government? Residents pay the same taxes as citizens.

BritInParis

The only way to renounce your British citizenship is to make an application to the Home Office. Any other 'renunciation' has no effect. I would clarify what the Spanish authorities want you to do in order to renounce your British citizenship. If it's anything but applying for a Certificate of Renunciation from the British government then you will remain a British citizen.

If you do formally renounce your British citizenship there is an option to regain your British citizenship providing you renounced in order to gain another citizenship. Again this would be through application to the Home Office although it could cause you to lose your Spanish citizenship.

Personally speaking I don't see much advantage for you in gaining Spanish citizenship especially given the current economic situation in Spain.

JBMadrid

Apologies for replying so late to this thread but I had a couple of questions.

Firstly, the UK does actually seem to allow Dual Nationality. I found this PDF via the embassy on the Governments website : https://www.gov.uk/government/upload...61499/bn18.pdf

I have been in Madrid six years now. After registering with all the relevent authorities when I arrived, I havent done anything else. I have read that after five years I should register for "long term residence status" (EU long-term permanent residence permit). Not sure what this and what benefits there are. Any one know/advise if its worth it cause from the research after I heard this doesnt show any benefits than I already have?

My long term plan is to take residence after 10years so I can get a DNI! Carrying around passport or a driving license because my useless NIE certificate is not accepted in Shops etc but I had hoped to have the dual citizenship