Spanish Residency and Citizenship: 20 Questions — Asked and Answered (Part 2)

Maria,

Back for more? Here’s Part 2 of your most-asked questions about Spanish residency and citizenship. I’ve already tackled a bunch in Part 1—so if you missed that, go check it out.

Like in part 1, there will be acronyms that I will use repeatedly. For reference, here’s what they mean:

  • NLV – Non-Lucrative Visa
  • DNV – Digital Nomad Visa
  • NIE – Número de Identidad de Extranjero
  • TIE – Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero

21. If I intend to live in Barcelona, should I learn Catalan instead of Castellano/Español?

First things first, Castellano/Español is the official language in Spain and there are 3 co-official languages: Catalan (Catalonia region), Euskera (Pais Vasco), and Galician (Galicia).

I would recommend that you learn Castellano first then Catalan second if you really must. DELE exam is focused on Castellano and not Catalan so in order to pass the DELE exam, you should have sufficient knowledge of Castellano in all aspects—reading, writing, listening, and speaking.

Also, learning Catalan will be advantageous for you if you choose to live in Catalonia region indefinitely, but if you move to another city or region like Madrid or Andalucia, then you wouldn’t be able to use Catalan as much anymore. But Castellano/Español is widely used throughout Spain so you will never go wrong learning that language.

22. Can I take Spanish classes, and DELE and CCSE exams outside Spain?

Yes. Spanish classes in the Philippines, for instance, are much cheaper than here in Spain so take advantage of that. I paid more than €2000 for all the Spanish courses I took here in Barcelona and if I took the same # of hours in Manila, I would have paid only half of that.

As for the exams, yes, you can take those outside Spain as long as you book your exams from the Instituto Cervantes website to make sure it’s legit.

23. How’s the point system of DELE exam?

To pass the DELE exam, you need a minimum overall score of 60 out of 100 points. Additionally, you must score at least 30 points in each group (1st group—Reading & Writing, 2nd group—Listening & Speaking)

For example, if you scored 12 points in reading, then you would need 18 points in writing. And if you got 20 points in listening, then you only need 10 points in speaking.

Here are some tips on how to pass the DELE exam—

DELE exam results don’t expire so you can take it whenever you want.

24. Is there a language school that you can recommend in Spain?

I went to 2 different schools here in Barcelona—Linguaschools and Speakeasy. Both have online classes available, which is a good option if you’re not in Barcelona. If you want face-to-face classes but you’re living outside Barcelona, Linguaschools have multiple locations across Spain.

I highly recommend both schools.

25. How do I get my NBI clearance / birth certificate and have it apostilled outside Philippines?

As far as I know, you can request for NBI clearance renewal and birth certificate online and have those sent to your home address in Spain. However, DFA apostille can only be done in the Philippines through a representative.

In my case, I left an authorization letter in the Philippines so someone can apply for my NBI clearance renewal and DFA apostille on my behalf. Once that was done, I had the documents sent to my home address in Barcelona via DHL.

If it’s your first time getting an NBI clearance, you would need to be in the Philippines to get one.

As of writing this, I still haven’t found a way to do the apostille from outside Philippines. I’m hoping this could change soon. Or if you know a way, let me know.

26. Why do I need to include the receipt of my birth certificate?

When I submitted my documents to my lawyer for my Spanish citizenship application, he asked if there’s a date issued on my birth certificate (BC) because the document should have been issued within the last 6 months prior to my application. I said there is no date issued on my BC but I have the receipt showing the date and time of issuance, and he told me to include it in my application because there is no other way to check the validity of my BC.

27. Can I bring my family with me on NLV and DNV?

Yes, you can bring your family (spouse, dependent children, and potentially adult children depending on their financial situation) with you on both the Non-Lucrative Visa (NLV) and the Digital Nomad Visa (DNV) in Spain. To do so, you will need to demonstrate sufficient financial means to support your family members, and they will also need their own private health insurance.

28. How do I search for an apartment while I’m still outside of Spain?

You can start by checking Spotahome, Idealista, or even FB groups but be careful of scammers. If the person is asking for money before you see the apartment, even a virtual viewing, it’s a scam. And don’t communicate via email—always communicate in the platform.

If you’re not sure, you can rent a room first then once you arrive in Spain, you can visit local real estate agencies to check for available apartments in the neighborhood/city you choose to live in.

29. How much advance payment do I need for renting an apartment?

In our case, we paid 2 months deposit and 1 month advance rent. Everything, including the monthly rent, is auto-debited from our Spanish bank account. To be safe, never pay in cash, always choose bank auto-debit so you will have proof of transaction.

When renting an apartment, and not just a room, it’s best to go through an agency than go direct with the landlord. If you want to know more about the real deal of apartment hunting in Spain, check out this post I’ve written.

30. What is pareja de hecho and how is it different from marriage?

In Spain, “pareja de hecho” (Spanish for “couple in fact” or “common-law couple” or “civil union”) is a legally recognized civil partnership for couples who live together and have a committed relationship but are not married. While it grants certain rights and responsibilities, it differs from marriage in several key aspects, particularly regarding separation, taxation, and assets.

  • Key Differences from Marriage:
    • Civil union separation is simpler and does not require a formal divorce process.
    • In civil union, all assets, income and liabilities are going to be property of the member who acquires them (separately and individually).
    • Civil unions do not have the option of filing a joint tax return: they can only be taxed individually (with separate income tax returns).
    • If you marry a Spanish national, you may be eligible for Spanish citizenship after just one year. Alternatively, entering into a pareja de hecho (civil union) with an EU citizen — not necessarily a Spaniard — can grant you the right to a 5-year Spanish residency.

31. How long have you been with your partner when you registered for pareja de hecho?

My partner and I were together for 5 months when we registered for pareja de hecho. In Barcelona and Catalonia region, there is no minimum requirement which worked for us. In Madrid and Pais Vasco, you have to be with your partner for a year minimum before you can register for pareja de hecho. It varies per city/region.

If you want to know more about residency through pareja de hecho, feel free to check out this post I’ve written.

32. Can I work legally or set up a business in Spain once I get my residency through pareja de hecho?

Yes, obtaining residency in Spain through pareja de hecho (civil union) grants you the right to work legally and also allows you to set up a business in Spain.

33. What health insurance should I choose for my visa application? Can I use travel insurance?

For NLV and DNV visa applications in Spain, you need comprehensive, private health insurance with full coverage equivalent to the public healthcare system from an insurance company accredited in Spain.

Travel insurance is not sufficient and will likely be rejected.

Here’s what Spain requires:

  • No co-payments or deductibles: Your policy needs to offer full coverage without requiring you to pay part of the costs.
  • Coverage throughout all of Spain
  • Coverage for the entire duration of your stay: If you’re applying for a one-year visa, your insurance should be valid for at least one year.
  • Minimum coverage of €30,000
  • Coverage for all medical necessities: Including emergency care, hospitalization, and repatriation if needed.

34. How do I qualify for public healthcare?

Access to Spain’s public healthcare depends on your seguridad social contributions.

For NLV, you can make voluntary contributions through the ‘Convenio Especial’.

For DNV, if you register as an autónomo (freelancer/self-employed), you will automatically pay into seguridad social (via auto-debit), which means you qualify for public healthcare.

You can have both public and private health insurance.

35. Do I still need private health insurance if I already have public healthcare?

This really comes down to your personal situation and preference. Many expats start with both, then decide after experiencing the public system whether they want to continue with private coverage. A popular middle-ground option is a “hospital plan” that covers just emergencies and hospitalizations at private facilities while using public care for day-to-day needs.

36. What private health insurance can you recommend?

For your visa application, I would recommend ASISA. They are known for having plans designed specifically for foreigners or expats.

If your ASISA insurance is up for renewal and you want to change insurance providers, I highly recommend ADESLAS. It’s one of the major insurance providers in Spain with extensive networks and affordable rates.

Read this post if you are interested to know more about private and public healthcare in Spain.

37. How long can I stay outside of Spain while a resident on a DNV and NLV?

If you’re a Spanish resident on either a NLV or DNV, you generally can stay outside of Spain for a maximum of 6 months within a one-year period. The Supreme Court’s ruling on June 20, 2023, changed the rules regarding absences and residency. While the 6-month limit still applies, it no longer automatically triggers termination of temporary residence.

38. How long can I stay outside of Spain as a naturalized citizen?

As a naturalized Spanish citizen, there is no strict limit on how long you can stay outside of Spain without losing your citizenship. You can stay outside of Spain for any period of time without losing your citizenship.

You could potentially lose your Spanish nationality if you acquire another nationality, if you voluntarily give up your Spanish nationality, or if you renounce it.

39. What about community? Is it easy to meet other people?

You can join local Facebook groups, attend Meetup events, and get involved in language exchange programs. Co-working spaces are great for meeting like-minded professionals, while joining sports teams, clubs, or volunteering can help you connect with locals in a meaningful way. Don’t miss cultural events like Sunday dancing in Parc de la Ciutadella or at iconic spots like Sala La Paloma in Barcelona.

Enrolling in in-person Spanish classes is also a smart move—not just for learning the language, but for bonding with others who are navigating the same challenges. Misery loves company, after all!

Even casual chats at the gym can lead to real connections—sometimes all it takes is a simple “hola” to get things started.

40. Should I use a lawyer to handle my residency or citizenship application? Can you recommend or share your lawyer’s contact info?

Absolutely. Unless you’re fluent in Spanish and fully comfortable dealing with the complexities of Spanish bureaucracy, hiring an immigration lawyer is strongly recommended. A qualified lawyer can help you avoid delays, ensure your paperwork is complete and accurate, and guide you through the often confusing legal requirements.

Now, if you are going to ask me for lawyer recommendations, it would only make sense if you’re also planning to live in Barcelona because regions in Spain have different policies. If you’re going to live in Andalucia, for instance, my lawyer won’t be able to help you.

And that’s a wrap on all your Spanish residency and citizenship questions—at least, for now. If your brain feels like it just took the DELE exam—same. But hey, now you’re basically an expert!

Still have questions I haven’t covered? Send me an email—I might turn this into a 3-part series.

¡Hasta luego!

Expat Life