Some people just voted out without thinking it through

Hi,

I have not got it yet. I applied in December 2019. Processing of requests for citizenship has been stop and go since then. It is hoped they will start processing them again in April (if Ireland moves down to level 3 then).

The reason I have done it is because our gestoria (cross between an accountant and legal advisor) said it was worth doing. Without having exact knowledge of how it will help (in December 2019 when I applied).

From what I have read it does not apply to my wife.

We already had everything sorted in Spain for many years. So retained our rights when Brexit happened. We could have got one of the new TIE (new style foreigner identification) cards. However we have not bothered with that. We just kept our paperwork from years ago. We will get a TIE card eventually eventually.

So the Irish citizenship application is really a nice to have rather than something essential for us.
Thanks Spanishman
 
Surely Northern Ireland has left the EU.
Predates the EU. The citizenship act of the Republic gives anyone born in the island of Ireland the right to be a citizen, and apply for a passport. So this is passed on as far as grandchildren. Of course this includes Northern Ireland aka 'the six counties'.
 
Hi,

I have not got it yet. I applied in December 2019. Processing of requests for citizenship has been stop and go since then. It is hoped they will start processing them again in April (if Ireland moves down to level 3 then).

The reason I have done it is because our gestoria (cross between an accountant and legal advisor) said it was worth doing. Without having exact knowledge of how it will help (in December 2019 when I applied).

From what I have read it does not apply to my wife.

We already had everything sorted in Spain for many years. So retained our rights when Brexit happened. We could have got one of the new TIE (new style foreigner identification) cards. However we have not bothered with that. We just kept our paperwork from years ago. We will get a TIE card eventually eventually.

So the Irish citizenship application is really a nice to have rather than something essential for us.
Other than getting you in the shorter queue at passport control, I'm not sure what citizenship, as opposed to residency, would give you ?

We have our residency "green card" and pay our taxes here, which means we have the right to live here full time, the benefits of freedom of movement in he EU, health cover etc etc even with our UK passports

Important to note citizenship and residency are two different things
 
Other than getting you in the shorter queue at passport control, I'm not sure what citizenship, as opposed to residency, would give you ?

We have our residency "green card" and pay our taxes here, which means we have the right to live here full time, the benefits of freedom of movement in he EU, health cover etc etc even with our UK passports

Important to note citizenship and residency are two different things
As I mentioned, the decision was made in December 2019. At that time things were not as clear as they are now. It may not be that worthwhile. However I feel it is a handy thing to have in my back pocket. Just in case.
 
I totally get that, but it is the likes of you and me who love to travel in Europe that suffer and not these idiots that voted to leave. I am retiring this year and always thought we would downsize and buy a second home in France. That looks out of the window now.

Not sure what our options are now.
This is the sad bit mate.

My kids won't have the choices available to them that I've had to move to a totally different country of they want to.

It's awful really
 
Well it certainly won't do any harm
At the time in December 2019 it was going to take around 10-12 months to process. So the plan was to have it in place before Brexit happened. Coronavirus has delayed things somewhat. As they have had many months of not processing any applications.

As I have started the process I have decided to go ahead with it any way. At least for the moment. When they eventually contact me to pay the fee I can make a final decision then.
 
Other than getting you in the shorter queue at passport control, I'm not sure what citizenship, as opposed to residency, would give you ?

We have our residency "green card" and pay our taxes here, which means we have the right to live here full time, the benefits of freedom of movement in he EU, health cover etc etc even with our UK passports

Important to note citizenship and residency are two different things
Was this as difficult and tiresome a process as the egg and chips benidorm brigade are making out?
 
Other than getting you in the shorter queue at passport control, I'm not sure what citizenship, as opposed to residency, would give you ?

We have our residency "green card" and pay our taxes here, which means we have the right to live here full time, the benefits of freedom of movement in he EU, health cover etc etc even with our UK passports

Important to note citizenship and residency are two different thing

You'd get all the benefits of being an EU citizen. Free movement, Healthcare in other countries for example. Being able to vote, etc too.
 
Was this as difficult and tiresome a process as the egg and chips benidorm brigade are making out?
The process itself is quite simple. You need to collect all the required documentation - passports, birth and marriage certificates, proof of health cover, proof you can support yourself financially, and a copy of the padron (empadronamiento) which shows you have a residence in the municipality in which you're applying - and then make an appointment at the local Police headquarters and take all the documents and translations with you

It's tiresome because it can take a while to get all the documents, and in the case of any in English (birth and marriage certificates and financial documents) get them translated by an official translator - took us about 3 months from starting the process to getting the certificates

It's difficult if you can't provide the documents ! - healthcare and financial records being the ones that a certain type of expat struggle with (that and not being able to speak Spanish ;))
 
"You'd get all the benefits of being an EU citizen. Free movement, Healthcare in other countries for example. Being able to vote, etc too."

I'm happy to be corrected @JaenBoro , but isn't being allowed to vote the only additional thing ? I believe the residency gives you the free movement and health cover - we have E111 cards for example
 
As I understand it residency only gives benefits in Spain. As soon as you go to another EU country you are British and nothing to do with Spain. Could be wrong
 
As I understand it residency only gives benefits in Spain. As soon as you go to another EU country you are British and nothing to do with Spain. Could be wrong
You are correct. As menioned earlier the difference between citizenship of a EU state and residency post-brexit is that as a UK resident living of Spain you would be unable to stay longer than 90 days in another EU state. As a citizen of Spain you would be free to live and work throughout europe.
 
I am corrected :cool:

.... though I do believe my Spanish issued E111 covers me while I'm in another EU country
 
Just for clarity. The Guardian has updated its report of Brits living in, and leaving Spain due to Brexit.
But I still have no sympathy for the people who voted for all this stress, anxiety, fear and expense, not to mention arrest and prosecution/deportation.
 
I am corrected :cool:

.... though I do believe my Spanish issued E111 covers me while I'm in another EU country

:giggle: I'm sure there are other benefits too, but this is the only thing that comes to mind. I won't be bothering with french citizenship as I'd probably be dead before it came through.
 
Thanks chaps. Looks like I will probably go ahead with the process of becoming O'Spanishman. Hopefully it will be completed this year.
 
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