Growing numbers of Britons are taking official Spanish language exams in order to become citizens of Spain, motivated by fears about Brexit. Figures published by the Instituto Cervantes show a 21% increase since last year in the numbers taking Spanish as a foreign language diploma, which is a requirement for anyone wanting citizenship.
The institute, which is responsible for promoting the Spanish language and culture around the world, says more than 400 people in the UK will take the exams this year, compared with 227 in 2015. “Certainly this is related to Brexit and the desire to keep a European passport,” Ignacio Peyró Jiménez, its London director, said.
Since the Brexit vote, the applications by British residents in Spain to become residents has increased by 431% and this figure is expected to climb
Brits living in Spain had no real need to take Spanish citizenship since, other than being barred from voting in national and regional elections or standing for Parliament, their rights as expatriates were identical to those of any Spaniard.
Citizenship requirements changed in 2015, but are relatively within reach – the language test is set at level A2 or a good GCSE grade and two years’ worth of classes or home study is normally enough to achieve this standard.
A sociocultural and constitutional knowledge test must also be passed – 25 multiple choice questions to be answered in 45 minutes, of which 15 must be correct or 60%.
Successful applicants then must agree to renounce their nationality of birth and swear allegiance to the Spanish Constitution.
In practice, the UK doesn’t allow its native-born subjects to give up their British citizenship, even though joint nationality is not available to Brits living in Spain.
But for those concerned about future restrictions on movement between Spain and the UK, Spanish nationality may, strangely enough, make this procedure easier; a British-born subject is unlikely to be denied the right to spend an indefinite time in the UK as a visitor to, for example, care for family members in need, and with a Spanish passport, re-entry to Spain is guaranteed however long they have been away.
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