Menu
Expat.com

Acquiring Spanish Citizenship (Canadian citizen)

Post new topic

Amine Idrissi63

Hi everyone. My name is Amine, I'm 28 year old and I've been living in various countries in Europe since 2016. My partner is Spanish and I obtained my Spanish residency through civil union. After 5 years spent on the continent I really don't see myself living anywhere outside Europe and I am therefore in the process of acquiring Spanish citizenship, ultimately to be able to live and work where I please in the EU. I am well aware that Canada and Spain do not have a dual citizenship treaty but I've seen several people (mostly from the USA) aquiring Spanish citizenship and retaining their original citizenship because Spain doesn't verify that applicants have indeed relinquished their original nationality.

My question has to do mostly with the logistics of have a citizenship combination that is technically prohibited in Spain. As is the case with American citizens, Canadians don't lose their citizenship unless they apply for citizenship renunciation directly at Immigration and Citizenship Canada. A Canadian citizen swearing they're renouncing their citizenship is a Spanish 'Registro civil' is not enough for Canada to stop considering the applicant as a Canadian citizen.

This leave people like me in a kind of legal limbo with one main question:

When / if I visit relative and friends in Canada, would it be possible for me to use my Canadian passport? I'm aware that Spanish border agents will notice that exit and entry stamps don't add up in my Spanish passport and will most likely ask to see my second passport. Would I be in trouble if I enter Spain with both passports?

What if I enter the Schengen through another country e.g. Portugal or France? Will there be any way for Spain to see that I've been using my Canadian passport?

If you have any experience with this I'd love to hear your opinion on this

Thanks a lot

Amine

Javier in Madrid

Amine,
I have triple citizenship. When you pass the border in Spain with a Spanish or EU passport you just put it in the scanner, so nobody will ask any questions about it.
Even if you go to Canada you could use any of the passports, the difference is that if you enter as an EU citizen you will need to comply with the length of the stay as any other visitor.
If you enter another Schengen country, then you could use your DNI to travel around.

Good luck!

Javier

piaribes

Hi Amine,

I’m moving back to Spain after living in the US most of my life. I paid a well rated lawyer in Granada, and he said I will lose any other citizenships I’ve gained. The new law unfortunately changed for Spaniards who are from Origin, and I’m not sure if this will apply to you too, so I would do some research. This only applies to anyone new getting a Spaniard citizenship.

Amine Idrissi63

Hi Javier,

Which citizenship do you hold? Judging by your profile I'm guessing you hold Argentinian, Israeli and Spanish citizenship (totally guessing here). Have you ever come back from Israel to Spain using both passport and had no problem? I just really don't want my dual citizenship to become a problem in the future

Amine Idrissi63

Hi! Could you give me some details on that new law you're talking about? I'm interested

Javier in Madrid

Yes, you have well guessed. I've exited with my Spanish passport from Spain and enter Israel with my Israeli passport.
At the airport there is no manual control of passports for EU citizens, you just scan yours, the scan will do the same with your face.
No stamps, no guards.
It's like the army, don't ask, don't tell.

Have a nice day!

Amine Idrissi63

Thanks so much!

Articles to help you in your expat project in Spain

  • Getting married in Spain
    Getting married in Spain

    Congratulations! You have found the partner of your dreams and want to get married in Spain. And why not? The ...

  • Traveling to Spain
    Traveling to Spain

    You're thinking about a new life abroad and all the opportunities it can bring, but before you relocate ...

  • Customs in Spain
    Customs in Spain

    Before traveling to Spain for your new life abroad, you will need to be aware of the country's ...

  • Working in Tenerife
    Working in Tenerife

    Are you looking for a job in Tenerife? While there are certainly opportunities, especially for fluent Spanish ...

  • Internet in Spain
    Internet in Spain

    Whether for work or play or keeping in touch with friends and relatives abroad, getting online will most likely be ...

  • Working in the Canary Islands
    Working in the Canary Islands

    The Canary Islands is Spain's southernmost autonomous community, an archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean, more ...

  • Popular neighbourhoods in Seville
    Popular neighbourhoods in Seville

    Once you have decided to make the beautiful city of Seville your home, the next order of business is finding a ...

  • Accommodation in Madrid
    Accommodation in Madrid

    Madrid, the bustling capital of Spain, is a popular destination for thousands of expatriates each year. With its ...

All of Spain's guide articles