We Got Our Spanish Citizenship in 3 Months: Jura Process, DNI Application & Lessons Learned

[@RetiredLifeTravel]

By the way, before I forget. I would like to thank both of you for providing such an incredible and great service. You, literally, provide real life experiences about obtaining Spanish citizenship. Through your honest and great information/work., you provide answers to those that may be, unsure, afraid or uncertain about the NLV process. Thank you guys, MILLONES DE GRACIAS and blessings always to you and your families!!! Wife and I look forward to meeting you guys, ONE DAY, in Valencia, if possible. BLESSINGS ALWAYS!!!

[@EverythingIsBoffo]

@@RetiredLifeTravel Thanks for watching and good luck to you guys!

[@regiejohn15126]

Thank you for sharing, guys! Now, we have a rough idea of how the process goes. I'm really super happy for you two! 🇪🇸🇵🇭😊

[@EverythingIsBoffo]

@@regiejohn15126 thank you!!! 😊

[@americaninspain]

Congrats! & great video especially for anyone who’s also looking to also go this route 👏🔥

[@EverythingIsBoffo]

@@americaninspain thank you! ☺️

[@alteasausa]

Congratulations to another milestone!🎉🥂

[@EverythingIsBoffo]

@@alteasausa thank you! ☺️

[@davidsanz1423]

Congratulations! I cannot wrap around my head how Anti Spain the Philippines has become over the years and have this preferential treatment to Filipino nationals and nationals of former colonies.. This is just my recollection when I was having Spanish classes back in the late 90s in the motherland.

[@EverythingIsBoffo]

@@davidsanz1423 I wish they had covered that Spain has this path available for Filipinos. That would have been so helpful from the get go!

[@davidsanz1423]

@@EverythingIsBoffo Exactly. I am not being apologetic on colonialism. The way Philippine History is taught in the motherland has always been Pro-America and Anti-Spain. And despite of singing the Pro-America narrative as a former colonial possession of the United States we do not see any form of recognition or benefit from that. Not that we demand for something in return. Spain, despite of her shortcomings in the distant past, has this preferential treatment that already speaks volumes. Somehow, it kindda reminds me now of the 3-part Juan Luna masterpiece in 1884, España y Filipinas displayed in Museo Nacional del Prado, National Gallery Singapore and the Lopez Museum..

[@teresal5174]

Yes, totally thanks to our time as a US colony did we become so anti-Spain. Also, the freemasons may have had something to do with this. Only when I dug deeper into our history wrt Spain in the last few decades did I learn about la leyenda negra, and realize how distorted was our understanding of the country I now feel to be my cultural and religious motherland.

[@EverythingIsBoffo]

Can you send me those research as well? I still recall what they taught us in school and Noli Me Tangere and El Fili did not paint them in a good light at all!

[@RetiredLifeTravel]

Correction, we will be starting process for our NLV VISA, probably March 2025. By the way, before I forget. I would like to thank both of you for providing such an incredible and great service. You, literally, provide real life experiences about obtaining Spanish citizenship. Through your honest and great information/work., you provide answers to those that may be, unsure, afraid or uncertain about the NLV process. Thank you guys, MILLONES DE GRACIAS and blessings always to you and your families!!! Wife and I look forward to meeting you guys, ONE DAY, in Valencia, if possible. BLESSINGS ALWAYS!!!

[@EverythingIsBoffo]

Thank you for your support!

[@glorylopez5560]

Congratulations! Super happy for both of you. Was just in Valencia, hoping to bump into you. 😂 Best of luck and may you be more blessed! 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@EverythingIsBoffo]

@@glorylopez5560 awww thanks so much! Hope you enjoyed your stay!

[@jeffbaranda7572]

Just started following you guys. Congrats! How exciting for you. I am working my way to moving to Spain myself. Currently in LA but originally from the Philippines. 😊 Congrats again!

[@EverythingIsBoffo]

@@jeffbaranda7572 thank you!

[@roycev.7794]

Congratulations guys. Greetings from Singapore. Gonna follow the same pathway most likely, still contemplating if NLV or DNV

[@EverythingIsBoffo]

@@roycev.7794 thank you! ☺️

[@roycev.7794]

🎉😊​@@EverythingIsBoffo

[@biancafxy]

Question, up until now do you still use Google translate when talking to locals, doing errands, government offices etc.? Or with those small talks you guys can manage to speak conversational Spanish already? Hope anyone can answer me. I'm new here in Spain (1 month) and I'm really having a hard time talking to locals. Need to almost always get by with GTranslate (I don't live in a city).

[@EverythingIsBoffo]

@@biancafxy We get by with our Spanish, we use Google translate when we want to check how to say our message for government offices but most days we don’t need to. We took over 7 months of Spanish to get to our level (which is still beginner level) so it will take time.

[@biancafxy]

⁠@@EverythingIsBoffoThank you for your reply! Learning the language is really a hard work if you decide to stay here in Spain for a long time. 😢

[@KB1.1]

How much do you have to pay in taxes now that you’re spanish citizens?

[@catspeek]

Congratulations! 🎉

[@EverythingIsBoffo]

Thank you!!

[@adventureswithmjmaia]

Which passport did u used to apply NLV? Us or php?

[@EverythingIsBoffo]

@@adventureswithmjmaia we only had Philippine passports. But our friend who is dual applied in the US with his US passport.

[@MrSamlavin]

Hi what part of spain you are living? How we can contact

[@MrSamlavin]

Hi how we can contact your Atty. I am also interested. Thank you. Mercilia

[@EverythingIsBoffo]

@@MrSamlavin hello, you can book a consultation with Atty Douaa at www.bureaucracy.es/consultation-immigration-lawyer

[@ciar67]

Congrats fellow Valencianos. 🎉

[@EverythingIsBoffo]

@@ciar67 moltes gracies! Very very happy to be Valencianos!

[@erickcruz8865]

Congratulations Paul and Bea! I have just taken my DELE and CCSE exams and waiting for the results (fingers-crossed). I am also with Douâa for my citizenship application so I know I am in good hands. I have two questions for you: 1. Do you recommend starting to gather documents I will need from the Philippines (and USA) now while I wait for my DELE and CCSE results so as not to delay my application submission later ? 2. Did you do a Philippine Driver's License Exchange here in Spain? If so, did you do it by yourself or used a gestoria? Thanks in advance.

[@EverythingIsBoffo]

Hi! Thanks and best of luck to you! So happy to hear you're working with Douaa. Best to follow her recommendations regarding your paperpwork. Yes we had to hire a gestor to do the canje. Send us a PM on Insta and I can share it with you.

[@billysnow3979]

In which city did you live when you applied for citizenship?

[@EverythingIsBoffo]

@@billysnow3979 we live in Valencia

[@aj75852]

I’m also hoping to move to Spain and obtain Spanish citizenship one day. Spain and Argentina are unique in offering citizenship after just two years of residency. However, for former colonies or territories, this opportunity is available only through Spain. Other countries, even if you come from their former colonies, offer no special privilege regarding residency requirements-treating you just like anyone else when it comes to citizenship timing, if I’m not mistaken.

[@EverythingIsBoffo]

@@aj75852 yes isn’t it great of them to have that for reparations? We’re so happy to have known this opportunity. As Filipinos we had to apply for visas for Spain, US and Japan… all countries that occupied the Philippines. It sucked applying.

[@aj75852]

@@EverythingIsBoffo I came across an interesting point about Spanish territories versus colonies. Unlike the British and French, who referred to their overseas possessions as colonies and often exploited them for resources without extending full rights, Spain considered its overseas possessions as territories rather than colonies. This means that territories like Mexico, the Philippines, and Colombia were regarded as having the same rights as mainland Spain. The term "colony" was more fitting for the British and French, who often took resources from these regions without granting equal rights. Spain's overseas territories, on the other hand, were integrated more closely into the Spanish realm. This perspective might explain why Spain continues to recognize "jus sanguinis" (right of blood) citizenship laws, honoring the Spanish heritage of individuals from these former territories. Interestingly, there were already Filipinos, such as José Rizal, living in Barcelona, Spain before the end of Spanish rule in the Philippines. This view reflects how Spaniards traditionally regarded their overseas possessions not as colonies but as integral parts of their nation.

[@ciar67]

Good luck AJ 🍀

[@asyongmatipid2]

@@aj75852 Spain is not unique among former colonial powers as far as naturalization by virtue of "jus sanguinis". There are many countries in Europe which have citizenship by descent pathways and surprisingly even the US will also the same if you have an American bloodline to a certain degree which includes a grandparent.

[@aj75852]

​@@asyongmatipid2 Yes, but it should be direct. Unlike other countries, Spain considers natural-born citizens of former Spanish territories as 'once Spanish,' no matter how many generations have passed, while other countries often have limits, like up to the third generation. Through that, they are following the jus sanguinis principle, even if you don’t have a direct bloodline through your parents or grandparents. So, in that sense, it’s still distinct, considering 'former territories.'

[@GabrielleRoales]

Curious, when did you take your DELE and CCSE exams? I'm curious about the timeline because I'm considering taking each exam at different times and maybe earlier than when I am eligible to apply for the citizenship (if and when I'm ready)

[@EverythingIsBoffo]

@@GabrielleRoales we took the tests a around 6 months before we applied, so that we have time to retake it in case we failed. The DELE is valid forever and the CCSE is valid for 4 years.

[@cath8459]

Congrats to the both of you! My husband and I were also on NLV and in the process of applying for spanish citizenship. We already passed DELE & is waiting for the CCSE exam result. I have a couple of questions if you don't mind.:) 1. Can we use the marriage certificate we used in applying for NLV (document with apostile & translation)? 2. How about the NBI clearance? If not, how did you request for a new one here in Spain? 3. Lastly, did you also register your marriage here in Spain? TIA!

[@EverythingIsBoffo]

@@cath8459 thanks! 1. No, we needed to get a new one 2. I had to ask someone from the Philippines to get the them and have them aspostilled. 3. No I don’t think we did. Good luck!

[@cath8459]

​@@EverythingIsBoffo Thank you so much for always replying! I was hoping to re-use the marriage and birth certificates we used for NLV application & renewal ha ha. Anyway, upon my research, I saw some Apostille services in Madrid where they can get the docs & have them apostilled. We might consider this to easily get the needed documents.

[@wanderein]

Congratulations! Does it matter where you're registered? Are there municipalities that have faster processing time? Thanks ❤

[@EverythingIsBoffo]

@@wanderein thanks for watching! Unfortunately there’s no way to tell if one comunidad is faster at processing or not, there could be plenty of reasons why ours was processed that quickly.

[@enricomramilla]

Wahh ang saya ko namn para sainyo!! Keep it up!!

[@EverythingIsBoffo]

Awww! Salamat! 😊😊😊

[@glorylopez5560]

Congratulations! Super happy for both of you. Was just in Valencia and hoping to see you. Hahaha! God bless you both and best of luck and brighter future.😊

[@EverythingIsBoffo]

@@glorylopez5560 thank you thank you very much! ☺️☺️☺️

[@renvill]

Congrats Paul and Bea ! 3.5 months is quite fast. Do you know of anyone who had to wait longer ? I watched the other video with Douaa and she said the window could be from 3 months up to 2 years 😬

[@EverythingIsBoffo]

@@renvill thank you! Yes it took us by surprise. And unfortunately we know some who submitted the same time as us and are still waiting. Luck of the draw I guess.

[@caballoloco100]

Spain didn't have colonies but "virreinatos" which were kind of offshore self-governing Spanish territories. In fact, the 1812 Constitution consider The offshore territories as Spanish provinces with the same rights and duties as far as l am aware. The Philipines were ruled by the "Virreinato de Nueva España", currently México.

[@MuslimMannn]

Spain did have colonies. It's not true what you're saying.

[@caballoloco100]

So, you are a Spanish historian and know the laws that ruled the offshore territories. Can you tell me in which year lsabel La Católica abolished slavery among the indians (properly speaking, Native Americans)? Can you tell me in which year the Spanish Constitution pass the law by which all offshore territories had the same rights and duties as Mainland Spain? Tip: it was before the invasion of the Napoleonic troops in Spain.

[@MuslimMannn]

@@caballoloco100 The fact that you are mixing apples with oranges doesn't make you a historian.

[@caballoloco100]

@@MuslimMannn The fact that you are not providing any evidence for your claims says it all. ln other words you ain't got the clue and pretend to teach others. A historian's duty requires him/her to find out which are the facts and when they took place. You failed the basics. Poor historian to say the least.

[@YourHotness-dc2ml]

What? Mexico? My country was colonized in 1521 by the Spanish empire who was ruled by King Felipe V. Check your info and facts, dude. Btw, Spain has many colonies.

[@jhelboybarabad478]

Congratulations 🎉🎊

[@EverythingIsBoffo]

@@jhelboybarabad478 thank you!

[@glenntot88]

Hello Bea and Paul. Love all your vids! Got a question for you guys. Would you know if I would have give up my US citizenship as a dual citizen of both US and Pinas?

[@EverythingIsBoffo]

@@glenntot88 you don’t have to renounce because you’re Filipino BUT you will need to reclaim your Filipino citizenship because you lose it automatically anyway whenever you acquire another nationality. For the US though there’s a formal process before you lose your nationality.

[@glenntot88]

@@EverythingIsBoffo Salamat. Info was much appreciated!

[@EverythingIsBoffo]

@@glenntot88 you’re welcome! As always, that was not legal advice… please consult with a lawyer! ☺️

[@MaggieSanJose]

Congratulations 🎉

[@EverythingIsBoffo]

@@MaggieSanJose thank you!

[@RetiredLifeTravel]

Quick question, while my wife and I are in process for our in NLV visa, can we start building our US KZbin channel. We want to know if we can work it if we are not monetized? Our plan is to retire early and move to Spain, in hopes of acquiring citizenship. We were born in Mexico.

[@Floof_Factory]

Good to hear! So conservatively, someone going for spanish citizenship in 2 years would have to stay atleast 9 months outside of the year for two years to be considered a resident? Could 6 or 7 months out of the year be possible?

[@EverythingIsBoffo]

@@Floof_Factory You don’t have to stay outside of Spain of you don’t want to. But if you do want the citizenship by residency we were advised not to be outside Spain for longer than 90 days.

[@travelerajit1625]

How much does it cost for all the necessary paperwork

[@EverythingIsBoffo]

It depends on what documents you will need to submit, if you are a dual citizen you will need to submit Birth Certificate & Federal/National Background check + Apostille + Translation for each nationality. Add those plus application fee, DELE and CCSE tests, DHL shipping, Spanish background check, and it's roughly 700-800 euros per applicant before the lawyer's professional fee for a single nationality (basing this on the costs of the paperwork for the Philippine official documents).

[@cliffg5349]

Congrats on the citizenship and EU passport. I am contemplating on going through the non lucrative visa as a path to citizenship and one of the requirements is to have 2 years of continuous residency. Does this mean I have to be physically in Spain continuously without any break in stay? (Ie after staying for a year, take a 1 month vacation then another year and then another month of vacation outside of Spain)

[@EverythingIsBoffo]

@@cliffg5349 yes you can take vacations! We mentioned it in beginning of the video as well. ☺️ Thank you!

[@teresal5174]

What does the "do you renounce?" refer to? Your Phil citizenship? (Or, for others, US citizenship?) thanks for the helpful, detailed video! Oh- and, congratulations!

[@EverythingIsBoffo]

@@teresal5174 we have the option to renounce or not our Filipino citizenship. For other countries like the US, they will HAVE to renounce to become Spanish. Spain doesn’t recognize dual citizenship with US but does with Philippines.

[@teresal5174]

​@@EverythingIsBoffo - Thank you so much for the quick reply. So, this helps me make decisions about my citizenship question at this time.

[@EverythingIsBoffo]

@@teresal5174 you’re welcome!

[@Salvatoreluciano.]

@@EverythingIsBoffoso did you renounce your US citizenship then?

[@EverythingIsBoffo]

@@Salvatoreluciano. we were never Americans but lived in the US on an E2 visa.

[@ClaireandNanami]

why do they issue you a birth certificate if you were born in another country? That is weird. Does the birth certificate they issued say you were born in Spain? I am confused. And does the passport say you were born somewhere else?

[@EverythingIsBoffo]

@@ClaireandNanami no the Spanish birth certificate will say that Bea was born in the Philippines as a Filipino, but since she is now Spanish they need to register her birth in the spanish system and that by Spanish naming Law her names are now so and so. Same goes with Paul.

[@ClaireandNanami]

Oh, I see. Thanks for clarifying that, and congrats on becoming citizens 🎉🎉🎉

[@EverythingIsBoffo]

@@ClaireandNanami thank you! 😊

[@Trainfeastfast]

If you’re like me and Puerto Rican… you do not need to take the test in order to get your citizenship. 🎉

[@EverythingIsBoffo]

@@Trainfeastfast woohoo!!! Good for you! I wish we already knew and spoke Spanish!

[@RoyWheeler]

Felicidades!! What was it that you did not want to renounce? Your US citizenship or?

[@EverythingIsBoffo]

@@RoyWheeler gracias!!! We’re not Americans, we just lived there. As Filipinos we have a choice if we want to renounce our citizenship or not at the jura. Spain recognizes dual nationality with the Philippines.

[@RoyWheeler]

@@EverythingIsBoffoI see. Thank you. I am currently pursuing my Spanish citizenship via the La Ley de Memoria Democratica as my mother was born in Spain and married my American father while he was stationed in Spain with the US Air Force. Working through our Spanish Consulate here in the US i received my Spanish birth certificate (took 4 months) and am now pursuing my Spanish passport through the same Spanish Consulate. My goal is to live in Spain with my American wife up to 5 months a year (staying under the 183 days so not to become a Spanish Tax resident). Are you familiar with the process of getting an American who is married to a Spanish citizen to be able to stay longer than 90 days in Spain but less than six months? All the very best to both of you!

[@EverythingIsBoffo]

There's a residency type that you can apply for her, it's the EU family card. You can learn more at the Spanish Government Website. administracion.gob.es/pag_Home/en/Tu-espacio-europeo/derechos-obligaciones/ciudadanos/residencia/obtencion-residencia/inscribir-familiares-no-ue.html

[@RoyWheeler]

@@EverythingIsBoffo ¡gracias!

[@JenKai0019]

Congrats on obtaining EU citizenship! Also, your Filipino citizenship is automatically void when you get another citizenship. Your Filipino passport are now invalid. Don’t use it. You will need to apply for retention of citizenship in a Philippines consulate. I had to do the same when I got US citizenship. More paperwork… yay…..

[@EverythingIsBoffo]

@@JenKai0019 thank you! Yes I asked the embassy and they said we automatically lose it even if we don’t renounce. We’ll be reclaiming our citizenship soon! Gathering up paperwork for it… yay more paperwork hahahahaha

[@jtp1984]

Filipino American here, do you renounce your US citizenship? TY

[@EverythingIsBoffo]

@@jtp1984 if you apply with your Filipino passport you will not need to renounce.

[@gregoriopuro]

May I ask.. where in the Philippines are the two of you from ?

[@EverythingIsBoffo]

@@gregoriopuro we’re from Manila.

[@travelerajit1625]

Congrats

[@EverythingIsBoffo]

@@travelerajit1625 thank you!

[@ellieramseyer]

Congratulations, does this mean you can still be a U.S. citizen?

[@EverythingIsBoffo]

@@ellieramseyer hi! We’re not Americans. But even if you renounce your US citizenship when you swear in, doesn’t mean you lose it. Depends on US law.

[@gilangelo-actor2682]

I think the dash is the symbol for “ nèe “. *** originally called; born (used especially in adding a woman's maiden name after her married name).

[@EverythingIsBoffo]

@@gilangelo-actor2682 no they added it to my two first names. And I dropped his last name.

[@paulus1549]

I was born in the Philippines with Canadian citizenship, would that count?

[@EverythingIsBoffo]

@@paulus1549 No, unless your parents were Filipinos when you were born.

[@paulus1549]

@@EverythingIsBoffo Thank you that's good to know. Our parents are Filipinos👍

[@sarmalco1617]

Hope to get your lawyer contact

[@EverythingIsBoffo]

Hello! Please reach out to Atty Douaa at www.bureaucracy.es/consultation-immigration-lawyer

[@oscarsantas6528]

Filipinas no fue una colonia española, fué inglesa cuando Emilio Aginaldo se arrodilló a los ingleses y luego vino a España a pedir perdón al Rey Alfonso XIII.....esto es para que vean que en España son bienvenidos todos....

[@C.arlo_R.amirez]

hindi pa naman kayo nawawater gun dyan?

[@EverythingIsBoffo]

@@C.arlo_R.amirez no, that’s just an outlier. Spanish people are very friendly lalo na if you greet them with an Hola or Buenas.

[@dev-life]

Clickbait disclaimer: You didn't get your Spanish citizenship in 3 months, you had to wait 2 years and then 3 months to get a resolution. That's all, it's a good achievement, but don't missguide people with your clickbait

[@EverythingIsBoffo]

@@dev-life but we got it after 3 months of submitting the application… it’s not a click bait, we applied once we qualified. Our other video says how to get the Spanish nationality after living in Spain for 2 years which explains the residency requirements, but from application to approval it was 3.5 months.

[@dev-life]

@@EverythingIsBoffo Yes, whatever...It's like saying "I got Swiss citizenship in a week" and skipping the part where you have to wait 10 years living in Switzerland to be able to apply. I don't blame you, you do what you gotta do, not many people would open a video titled "we got Spanish citizenship in just 2 years and 3 months"

[@EverythingIsBoffo]

@@dev-life Good to know! Have a great weekend! ☺️

[@MrEnigmaBoss]

LET HIM TALK - CUTTING OFF SPEECH IN ANNOYING.

[@RetiredLifeTravel]

Quick question, while my wife and I are in process for our in NLV visa, can we start building our US KZbin channel. We want to know if we can work it if we are not monetized? Our plan is to retire early and move to Spain, in hopes of acquiring citizenship. We were born in Mexico.

[@EverythingIsBoffo]

@@RetiredLifeTravel yes, KZbin doesn’t employ you so it’s not a job but passive income. Before you move to Spain make sure your Mexican passport is valid and not expired. Good luck!

[@RetiredLifeTravel]

@@EverythingIsBoffoDoes that mean we can work and build our (USA created) channel in Spain, while living in Spain and make videos in Spain and other European and Southeast Asian countries, while we are being processed for our NLV VISA? I just do not want to risk putting our NLV VISA in jeopardy, much less our being granted SPANISH CITIZENSHIP. Thank you for all your time and consideration.