American citizen married to U.K citezen moving to spain

[z.holtman]

My wife and I are thinking of moving to Spain, she is from the U.k so she can go no problem, but not sure about me being a non EU citezen. Also I dont have permenant residency here in the U.K yet, I have a temporary residence visa vailid for two years. Any help would be greatly appreciated! I've tried to email the spanish embassy in London but they havn't responded?

Thanks!

[JAJ]

My wife and I are thinking of moving to Spain, she is from the U.k so she can go no problem, but not sure about me being a non EU citezen. Also I dont have permenant residency here in the U.K yet, I have a temporary residence visa vailid for two years. Any help would be greatly appreciated! I've tried to email the spanish embassy in London but they havn't responded?

Thanks!

Why not wait until you have British citizenship?

[z.holtman]

Would rather be in Spain! Do I need the citezenship in the U.K to live in Spain?

[Christophe]

Would rather be in Spain! Do I need the citezenship in the U.K to live in Spain?

No, but it would mean that you would have fewer immigration hoops to jump through. It would also mean that you could easily return to live in (or spend extended periods in) the UK in the future if you want to - with or without your wife (sometimes things don't go as we expect in life).

How long have you been in the UK? Usually a spouse of a British citizen can apply for naturalisation after 3 years of legal residence provided that the applicant has indefinite leave to remain in the UK at the time of the application. So if you've been in the UK for a couple of years already, it might well be worth waiting. Applications for naturalisation are being decided relatively quickly at present.

But you would also need to consider the effect that naturalisation would have on your present citizenship - that depends on the law of your country of citizenship. For example, if you are from the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand (or many other countries) you would be able to retain it. If you are from South Africa you can apply to retain it. And so on.

[JAJ]

Would rather be in Spain! Do I need the citezenship in the U.K to live in Spain?

No, but it would mean that you would have fewer immigration hoops to jump through. It would also mean that you could easily return to live in (or spend extended periods in) the UK in the future if you want to

Or freely move elsewhere in the EEA if desired.

But you would also need to consider the effect that naturalisation would have on your present citizenship - that depends on the law of your country of citizenship. For example, if you are from the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand (or many other countries) you would be able to retain it. If you are from South Africa you can apply to retain it. And so on.

And for some people - especially from certain countries which do prohibit dual citizenship - losing the original citizenship is not a problem if you get British citizenship.