How does the Non-Lucrative Visa affect eligibility for Spanish citizenship?

The Non-Lucrative Visa can serve as a pathway to Spanish citizenship, but there are specific conditions and timelines that applicants must follow. Here’s how the process works:

1. Residency Requirement

• Continuous Residency: To be eligible for Spanish citizenship, Non-Lucrative Visa holders must first meet the residency requirement. This typically involves living in Spain for at least ten consecutive years. During this period, you must maintain your Non-Lucrative Visa or transition to a long-term residency status while spending at least 183 days per year in Spain​.

2. Pathway to Permanent Residency

• Permanent Residency After Five Years: After five years of legally residing in Spain under the Non-Lucrative Visa, you may apply for permanent residency (Residencia de Larga Duración). This status allows you to live in Spain indefinitely without the need to renew your visa every few years, making it easier to meet the long-term residency requirement for citizenship.

3. Application for Citizenship

• Ten-Year Rule: After ten years of continuous legal residence in Spain, including time spent on the Non-Lucrative Visa, you can apply for Spanish citizenship. However, this period may be shorter for certain groups, such as refugees (five years) or nationals of certain Latin American countries, Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea, and Portugal (two years)​.

4. Additional Requirements for Citizenship

• Language and Cultural Knowledge: Applicants for Spanish citizenship must demonstrate a basic knowledge of the Spanish language (typically at the A2 level) and pass the CCSE (Constitutional and Socio-Cultural Knowledge) exam, which tests knowledge of Spanish society, culture, and laws​.
• Good Conduct: Applicants must also show that they have been of good conduct during their residency in Spain, meaning no serious criminal record and adherence to Spanish laws​.

5. Dual Citizenship Considerations

• Renunciation of Previous Citizenship: Spain generally requires applicants to renounce their previous citizenship unless they are from a country that has a special agreement with Spain, such as those mentioned earlier. This requirement may impact your decision to pursue Spanish citizenship​.

Summary

The Non-Lucrative Visa allows you to begin the journey toward Spanish citizenship by meeting the residency requirement. After living in Spain for ten years (with permanent residency potentially after five years), and fulfilling other legal, language, and cultural requirements, you can apply for Spanish citizenship. The process involves continuous residency, maintaining good conduct, and possibly renouncing your previous citizenship, depending on your nationality. Consulting with legal advisors or immigration experts can help navigate this pathway effectively.