Thanks to whoever created this site. I'd like to find out if there are others out there with a similar situation to mine. I am a female from a Non EU country, married to an EU citizen (Spanish). we've been married for 15yrs. During this time, we have lived all over Europe except Spain due to the nature of my husband's job. At some point about 6 yrs ago, he decided to apply for citizenship for me because it was very difficult for me to get a job or take an impromptu holiday seeing that I need a visa for practically every country. Well I was refused on the grounds that I have to be resident in Spain for 1 year. Well that did not seem too difficult so we decided I would take a course in Madrid for 1 year. Once the year was up, after sacrificing my family's unity, we applied and this time were told that the fact I lived away from my husband for a year, I could not prove there was "convivencia" during that period. We were dumbfounded! I have held a Spanish resident permit for over 10yrs but was told I could not use the 10yr criteria to apply for citizenship reason being that I am married to an EU national and the 10yr criteria is not applicable. I speak fluent spanish and I know more aboout the history, culture and regional diets of spain than even my husband. I think this one year residency criteria is the most absurd thing and Spain should learn from other EU countries what alternative measures they can adopt. I do not know if anyone out there is aware of any other way by which a non EU spouse can get a Spanish nationality without 1 yr residency. It is really very frustrating because even without realising it, the country has split us as a family. The worst bit is not getting a job because as a non EU, I do not have a priority even though I hold a masters degree from a UK university. I speak english,spanish, italian and french fluently.One time we went on a cruise and there were some countries I could not get off the ship because I did not have a valid visa.....isn't that frustrating?, and it's been 15 yrs of marriage!! Sorry for the long post, I try not to think about it but sometimes I give in to the frustration. Any suggestions will be welcome and thanks everyone for reading and goodluck all in your various problems!!

 

Thanks for your response but the honest truth is that I do not understand what you are implying with the info on British citizenship...how does that relate to my case? I am not seeking British citizenship and I believe you are referring to "citizenship by residency". To my understanding It is possible to apply for British citizenship after a certain period of time of being legally being married to a British citizen(if your husband is working abroad and I'm not sure how many years of marriage) without having resided in the UK during the 3 yr period...that exemption to my understanding exists in many EU immigration laws but does not seem to exist in Spanish law.