The advantages of the Spanish Nationality 

Spain's passport ranks among one of the world's most powerful passports, attracting Spanish descendants abroad. It has emerged as one of the most coveted travel documents worldwide, granting its holders the freedom to travel visa-free to numerous countries. 

The strength of Spain's passport is attributed to several factors. Spanish nationals can visit a total of 42 countries without the need for a passport or visa, including all European Union and Schengen Area nations, by simply presenting a valid biometric ID.  

Besides those countries, Spanish passport holders enjoy the privilege of visa-free access to more than 100 additional countries, and they can easily obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) for destinations as popular as the United States, New Zealand, and Australia. Additionally, Spaniards can obtain visas upon arrival in more than 30 countries and e-visas for others, such as India, Iran and Kenya. 

When comparing the strength of European passports, Spain's passport ranks among the top, with only Italy, Finland, and Germany surpassing it in terms of travel privileges. On a global scale, the passports of Japan and Singapore hold the first and second positions, respectively, highlighting their prominence and desirability. 

The allure of the Spanish passport lies in its extensive travel privileges, attracting individuals who are passionate about exploring the world with ease and convenience. However, for individuals born to non-Spanish parents, obtaining Spanish citizenship can be a complex and time-consuming process, presenting a significant hurdle. 

Despite the challenges, thousands of individuals, specially from Latin American countries, have seized the opportunity to acquire Spanish citizenship through a law that grants citizenship to descendants of Spanish citizens. However, the surge in applications has placed a strain on processing times, causing delays in the handling of citizenship applications at various Spain's General Consulates like the ones in Buenos Aires, Argentina, as well as other consulates in Cuba, Venezuela, Mexico, etc.  

Whether it is for individuals eligible for Spanish citizenship as descendants of Spaniards (or other reasons), or for foreign residents in Spain who can apply based on their residency, it is highly advisable to seek detailed information about the procedure from expert lawyers in the field. This will allow you to start enjoying the benefits offered by the Spanish passport very soon.  

#hazloBien #doitRight 

Joana, Abogada de EX24.