Obtaining a second passport is becoming quite popular among travelers from the United States. Whether it’s more travel options, a sense of security or even living in another country, Americans are looking for ways to secure dual citizenship.
There are many ways to do this. A tourist can marry a citizen of that country. They can even make a donation or invest real estate to obtain a second passport. For some travelers, it may require genealogical research that links their heritage back to the other country.
However, a group of 37 million American tourists may be eligible for highly prized dual citizenship in Spain without even knowing it. Let’s dig into this a little deeper and see if you fit into this group.
Are you part of the 37 million?
It’s amazing to imagine that 37 million Americans might have a shortcut to enjoying life in Spain or another European Union country without even realizing it.
Until now.
According to the latest estimates, there are more than 37 million Americans living in the United States who identify as Mexican. In fact, it is the largest ethnic group living in the country.
But what is the connection between Mexican-Americans and fast-track Spanish citizenship?
To do this, we go back in history to 1521. Then the fall of the Aztec capital Tenochtitlan led to the controversial Spanish conquest of Mexico.
For three hundred years, Mexico was considered New Spain until El Grito, or the call of Mexican independence, sounded on September 16, 1810.
The Spanish connection
What does this history have to do with a fast track to Spanish citizenship?
One way to obtain citizenship in Spain is to live in the country for ten years. Travelers must apply for a residence visa, receive approval for residency, and then wait for the ten years to expire.
Those with heritage from Mexico, or most former Spanish colonies in the Americas, have a unique way to speed up this process. Live in the country for only two years and apply for Spanish citizenship.
It is a fast track to citizenship in Spain and the rest of the European Union, simply by connecting to a former colony of Spain. That is the connection to 1521.
The Spanish digital nomad visa
At this point, you may be wondering how you can live in the country for two years to obtain your citizenship. Spain offers a number of visas for travelers to the country, including student visas. However, a recently popular visa is the Spanish digital nomad visa.
If you are a digital nomad and work remotely for companies outside Spain, this visa may be right for you.
This article is not about this specific visa. However, here’s an an official link on all the details if you want to explore this option, or other options, to obtain the two years necessary to apply for citizenship in Spain through Ibero-American connections.
Ready to get started?
So, are you interested in the application details and maybe even ready to apply to start the process? Here is a link to the official Spanish nationality by place of residence page with some general details.
Those wishing to learn more are urged to contact legal counsel for further assistance or even contact one of Spain’s embassies and consulates in the United States. This article provides entertainment information only and should not be construed as sound legal advice.
Spanish embassies and consulates can be found in Washington DC, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York and San Francisco. Each serves a specific region of the country, so choose the one closest to you to determine if they provide services in your area.
