British applicants for Spanish citizenship rise by 431% since Brexit vote
Friday, March 31, 2017 @ 4:18 PM
BRITISH residents in Spain applying for citizenship have multiplied in number by 431% since the Brexit referendum results were announced, and this figure is expected to continue to climb now Article 50 has officially been triggered.
Just 28 Brits sought Spanish nationality between January and March 2016, for reasons ranging from fears the Brexit vote would prosper through to wanting to be able to cast their ballots in national elections.
But in the same period in 2017, a total of 111 have already filed applications and numerous others are talking of doing so.
Whilst there was no suggestion of the UK ever leaving the European Union – before anyone spoke of a referendum – 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 in either, their rights as expatriates were identical to those of any Spaniard.
They still are, but this may well change by the end of March 2019, or earlier if UK-EU negotiations are settled and Britain decides to formalise its exit.
As yet, nobody knows for sure, and with long waiting lists to apply for citizenship, and a growing number are not willing to chance it.
Citizenship requirements changed in October 2015, but are relatively within reach of the average British expatriate – the language test is set at level A2, or a good GCSE grade, and two years' worth of classes or dedicated home study is normally enough for complete beginners to reach this standard.
Read more at thinkSPAIN.com