Category: Expat Life

Are you dreaming of Spanish citizenship but feeling overwhelmed by the CCSE exam requirements? You’re not alone. The Constitutional and Sociocultural Knowledge of Spain exam (CCSE) is a crucial milestone on the path to Spanish nationality, and until recently, preparing for it meant sifting through dense manuals and hoping for…

At 42, while most of my friends were settling deeper into their routines, having more kids, and going to children’s school events, I was doing something completely different. I was packing my entire life into suitcases, saying goodbye to everything familiar, and boarding a plane to start over in a…

I often get asked the same questions: Is it easy to find a job in Spain? Can I work under the Non-Lucrative Visa? If I get my Master’s degree in Spain, will it be easier to land a job afterward? I completely understand why these questions come up—but I’ll be…

So you’re thinking about studying in Spain? Really smart move! Not only will you get to enjoy tapas, siestas, and year-round sunshine, but Spain’s student visa system might just be your ticket to building a whole new life in Europe. Let’s dive into everything you need to know about the…

Spain has become one of the hottest destinations for people looking to relocate, and the good news is there are quite a few ways to make that dream a reality. Let me walk you through the main residency pathways – think of this as your friendly roadmap to calling Spain…

Thinking of moving to Spain but don’t know where to start? Or perhaps you’re overwhelmed with all the conflicting information available online? Let’s fix that shall we? So, one of the fastest ways, and the best way to get a second citizenship as a Filipino is through Spain—or maybe I’m…

If you’re reading this from somewhere outside the Philippines, chances are you’ve dealt with the headache of getting apostilled documents. You know the drill—either you fly back home (goodbye, savings!) or beg your cousin to line up at the DFA for you. Well, I’ve got some news that’s both exciting…

So 2 weeks ago, I was all smiles because I finally got my Spanish passport and DNI after 5 long months of waiting. I felt like I had just hit a major life milestone! But of course, life loves a plot twist. After all the excitement, I was hit with…

Alright, let’s talk about one of Spain’s best-kept bureaucratic secrets that nobody warns you about until it’s too late. You’ve finally got your DNI, you’re feeling like a proper Spanish citizen, and then BAM – suddenly your NIE goes inactive and half your documents don’t match up anymore. Enter the…

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:…