How to retain Spanish citizenship while living abroad

If you've acquired Spanish citizenship but end up living in a country other than Spain, you may be rightfully wondering if time spent outside of the country, or certain actions while overseas, can result in you losing your nationality.

If you have Spanish nationality, you can technically go and live in another country without any problems. Living outside Spain does not entail the loss of nationality directly, regardless of whether you’re a native-born Spanish national or acquired nationality through another means.

However, according to the Spanish Justice Ministry, Spaniards who are not Spaniards by origin—such as those who have acquired Spanish nationality by marriage or residency—can lose their Spanish nationality under specific circumstances:

- You use your old nationality that you renounced when acquiring Spanish nationality within three years.

-If you voluntarily enter into armed service or hold political office in a foreign state.

- If it is found that you used falsehood, concealment, or fraud to obtain Spanish nationality.

In 2023, a Spanish national through residency who had moved to Australia and subsequently acquired Australian nationality took to TikTok to inform the public that Spanish authorities had told him they were revoking his Spanish citizenship due to his newly acquired Australian citizenship. This incident illustrates the potential challenges faced by those living abroad.

Remember that passports are largely biometric now, and information on international databases can easily be scanned and cross-referenced by border control and other authorities.

To avoid losing your nationality, consider the following recommendations from immigration experts at Balcell’s. Essentially, you need to demonstrate that you are actively using your nationality and intend to keep doing so:

What does it mean to use your nationality? It could involve several actions, such as:

- Attempting to renew your Spanish passport, which is often considered proof of your intention to retain it.

- Exercising your right to vote in Spanish elections from abroad.

- Traveling within the EU on your Spanish passport, which highlights your connection to Spain.

- Getting married abroad using your Spanish passport.

For those contemplating acquiring Spanish citizenship through residency in the future, there are time restrictions on how long you can spend outside the country. You may only remain outside Spain for three months continuously if you are required to stay for 5, 2, or 1 year to apply for nationality. If you have resided in Spain for 10 years, you may spend up to six continuous months out of the country.