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Obtaining and renewing a Spanish passport
If you qualify for Spanish citizenship, you can apply for a Spanish passport, which allows you to travel throughout the EU and the Schengen areas easily and also provides many other benefits.
Below we outline the essential steps needed to renew a Spanish passport, including ensuring you meet the requirements, submitting your application and how you can get assistance if needed.
Click on a link to that section:
The key benefits of obtaining a Spanish passport.
The requirements for qualifying for a Spanish passport.
Find out how you can submit your application and the steps required
Read how much you can expect to pay when renewing your Spanish passport.
How we can help you with your application for a Spanish passport.
We answer common queries on renewing a Spanish passport.
The benefits of obtaining a Spanish passport
There are many benefits to having a Spanish passport. Not only can you leave and re-enter Spain as often as you want, but it also entitles you to freedom of movement of the European Union and Schengen area as an EU citizen. You will also have the benefit of being able to travel to 156 countries visa-free or visa on arrival. You will also have access to health insurance in Europe.
Spain is third in the world on the passport index, which considers the mobility gained from the passport.
What are the requirements for renewing a Spanish passport?
The time it takes to apply and renew a Spanish passport is approximately one month, so it is essential to avoid leaving your application to the last minute, especially if you have travel plans. The first step is to attend a Spanish passport office. If you are not actually in Spain at the time of renewal, then you can visit a Spanish embassy or consulate instead. Your application must be completed carefully and submitted together with all the other relevant documents.
The documents you will need to include your old passport and a valid Spanish D.N.I., a Spanish national identity card.
Three passport photos will also need to be included (3 x 4 cm). These photos must be recent, no older than six months, and must follow general passport recommendations. This means the portraits must be full-frontal centre shots on a white background. You may not cover your eyes, and if you wear spectacles so you should make sure no reflection covers your eyes.
Read our full guide to translating documents into Spanish here.
Submitting your application
If you are in Spain at the time of renewing your passport, you can renew at the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs or your local police station. However, if you are in a different country, you will have to locate and visit a Spanish embassy or consulate.
Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs
You can renew your passport at the Spanish Ministry of Foreign affairs if it is lost, stolen, expired/ expiring or damaged. You should visit the ministry with a valid national ID card and a passport that needs replacing. If you do not have access to these documents, then it is possible for the consular office to contact the authorities to confirm Spanish nationality. If done this way, there is a chance that the passport will only remain valid for three weeks. This window gives you time to source the relevant documents.
Local police station
Spanish police stations can issue D.N.I cards and obtain or renew passports. To do this, you will need to find your local police station and request an appointment.
Spanish embassy or consulate
If you are not in Spain and need to renew your passport, you can find your nearest Spanish embassy or consulate. This will also require an appointment, and you will also need to be registered to the Registro de Matricula for Spanish citizens living abroad. You will need to arrive at your appointment with the relevant documentation as detailed above.
How much does it cost to renew a Spanish Passport?
Currently, the Spanish government ask for €26 for a passport renewal, which is equivalent to £22.29. Passports are free of charge if you meet certain conditions and qualify for beneficiary of large family status.
How long does it take to get a Spanish passport?
Once you have applied for citizenship, the government can take up to 1 to 2 years to reply. General renewal can take up to 10 weeks, and you can apply for renewal once your current passport only has 12 months till expiration.
How can I check the status of my application?
There is an online platform created by the Spanish Ministry of Justice, which will allow you to check your application status in real-time.
How Giambrone’s Spanish immigration service can help
Though renewing your Spanish passport is an exciting process with many benefits, it can also be confusing if you are unsure on the steps you need to take.
From legal advice to any matters of Spanish citizenship, our immigration team can advise on the viability of applications and help make sure the right documents are included. We can also help to ensure your application for a Spanish passport isn’t rejected. This will ensure your passport renewal runs as smoothly as possible.
Frequently asked questions
Who is eligible for a Spanish passport?
You are eligible once your citizenship is confirmed. For this route, you will need to have proof of being a good citizen. This means not having a criminal record and being financially stable. You must also show that you are integrated into Spanish society by being able to speak Spanish to a basic level and showing interest in Spanish culture - unless you are applying for Spanish citizenship through descent.
Can you get a Spanish passport if your husband is Spanish?
Yes, you will still have to have lived in Spain for one year, though. It will also mean that you must surrender your current citizenship so that you can become Spanish.
How many countries can you travel to with a Spanish passport?
As of April 2021, a Spanish passport will allow visa-free or on arrival access to 190 countries.
What are the requirements to obtain a passport?
You must be a Spanish citizen and have access to the necessary documents to send with your application.
What happens when your Spanish passport expires?
Even if your passport is expired, you may still be able to enter Spain once the authenticity of the expired passport has been checked. However, you will not be able to enter another country. It is essential to check your passport before travelling and renew with plenty of time to spare to avoid problems.
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