Spain owns a beauty that many other countries in Europe do not possess. The place is blessed with a great climate and surrounded by large bodies of water. Although it’s not entirely warm for all parts of Spain, overall, the weather tends to be considerate. The best beaches are easily accessible and you can expect great seafood dishes prepared by the locals. Spain is also recognized for its rich culture. We, Filipinos, know this since most of our traditions and practices are formed from Spanish influences. Even some of the words from our local dialect are derived from the Spanish language. If you love our heritage, you’ll love it even more being in Spain.
Did you know that Filipinos are given the privilege to become a Spanish citizen for a short period of stay in their country? If you are interested in migrating to Spain, read on! This article will give Filipino applicants various options on becoming a Spanish citizen.
Different Pathways to Spanish Citizenship
Option 1: Get a student permit.
Getting a student visa is one of the easiest ways to gain entry to Spain. If you plan on furthering your studies or career, getting a degree in this country will provide you an easy route to entering Spain. If you are into the medical field, you can take advantage of Fil-Global’s Europe study program. It qualifies high school graduates for Medical Doctor or Nurse adaptation with scholarship options and tuition fee downpayment for as low as €1,000. If you’re into business, you can also find some of the best business schools in Spain. Whatever field you’re in, Fil-Global will gladly assist you in finding the best institution that suits your needs.
If you try to search on the internet, you can see that Spain belongs to the top 10 list of best countries for international students. Learners get to experience the best academic life in this place. You can finish your degree while having an amazing holiday. Low tuition fees and affordable cost of living make this country a consistent favorite. A lot of opportunities for academic improvement and career development await students in this amazing country.
What’s next after finishing your studies? You can look for a job and apply for a work permit until you reach 2 years’ stay (excluding the period as a student visa holder.) Filipinos have the benefit to fast track citizenship by living in Spain for 2 uninterrupted years. The same privilege is offered to people coming from other countries including Andorra, Portugal, Equatorial Guinea, and Latin America. Normally, Spain requires 10 years of residency before you can apply for citizenship. Should you choose to become a Spanish citizen, you will be asked to remove your first nationality. But luckily, Filipinos are exempted since dual citizenship is allowed.
Option 2: Get a Spanish Golden Visa.
This program involves a real estate investment of €500,000 and allows family residency. This investor visa can be renewed every two years, with 5 years of eligibility for Permanent Residency and 10 years for citizenship. But since Filipinos are only required of 2 years of stay, Golden Visa holders may proceed with their application for citizenship.
It’s a lot of money involved! But if you see the trend in Spain’s real estate despite the worldwide health emergency, you’ll realize the demands for investment activity in this country has never ceased. According to Cushman & Wakefield, the figures are even slightly higher compared to the same period last year. Choosing this route will definitely bring huge returns while securing your whole family second citizenship the fastest way.
Option 3: Obtain a work visa.
This option can be pretty challenging as applicants need to belong from the list of professionals that are currently in-demand of Spain’s labor market. Recently, Filipinos with odd jobs in Spain have enjoyed the government’s action in response to the COVID-19 crisis, work permits for healthcare positions were issued to those with medical diplomas. This goes to show that those in the medical field have a good career path for the next few years. Unfortunately, a work visa for healthcare professionals isn’t a viable option for now because of the deployment ban. Nevertheless, I have included this as part of the options since this could be an alternative for Filipinos once the prohibitions are lifted.
Thankfully, student visas can serve as an entry point for those who wish to push through their dreams of living abroad even with the absence of a working permit. Some students express their frustration of going back to school even when they have already completed their studies in the Philippines. It’s important to note that the educational standards may differ. Getting a degree from an internationally recognized college or university may prove to be beneficial for those wanting to be globally competitive.
Have you found the best option for you? If you wish to discuss more on your choices in becoming a Spanish Citizen as a Filipino applicant, drop us a message on our website or social media page. Our friendly Fil-Global agents are ready to entertain your queries and guide you on your journey.
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