Spanish nationality
Foreigners who have been in Spain for many years normally hold a permanent residence. After getting used to the life here, it is natural to think about naturalization over time. We will explain to you what is the difference in rights between permanent residence and Spanish nationality.
| Spanish nationality | Long-term residence | |
| Right to vote as a citizen | Yes | No |
| Participation in elections | Yes | No |
| Civil Servant | Yes | No |
| Pension | Same | Same |
| Scholarship for children | Same | Same |
| Unemployment benefits | Same | Same |
| Other social benefits such as maternity leave | Same | Same |
| Freedom to live and work in the EU | Yes | EU residence and residence in the country of destination required |
| Time limit on leaving the country without loosing you residence permit | No applicable | No more than 1 year in a row |
| Free medical care | Same | Same |
| Age limit for parents reunification | EU family residence: no age limit | Family reunification: 65 years old or older |
| Age limit for children reunification | EU family residence: under 21 years old | Family reunification: under 18 years of age |
| Apply for a family visit visa | Same | Same |
| Starting a business | Same | Same |
| Protected housing | Same | |
| Remittance of money back home | tSameSame | |
| Travel | Multi-country visa waiver | Depends on your current passport |
| Taxes | Same | Same |
| Take cash abroad or in the country | Same | Same |
As you can see, for social welfare, Spanish law is the same for foreigners as for locals. As long as foreigners have legal residence in Spain, they can enjoy various benefits in Spain.
Related article: Spanish nationality by residence requirements
