Job Discussion Forums

Giggsy Abroad · Joined: 19 Aug 2009 Posts: 3

Hi,

I am British and taking a CELTA course in a couple of weeks time. I plan on moving to Madrid in January, where I was actually born. Prior to the course I have little teaching experience and I was wondering whether a) I could get dual Spanish / British nationality. And b) whether there is any advantage to this in regard to employment? i.e. might I be more favourable to employers as a Spanish citizen?

Thanks for any help on this..

El_Che · Joined: 13 Feb 2007 Posts: 34 Location: Spain

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

If your mother language is Spanish, you would have some advantages over teachers with lesser language skills. It can be useful sometimes in the classroom if you can explain something briefly in the student's native language.

Simply the citizenship won't help, as you're British and have total freedom to work in Spain in any case.

Phil_b · Joined: 14 Oct 2003 Posts: 239 Location: Back in London

Having a Spanish DNI would mean not having to carry your passport around for using bank cards etc... That might make life easier... Legally it makes no difference, but it might make some of the bureacracy a bit easier to deal with..

mozzar · Joined: 16 May 2009 Posts: 339 Location: France

In fairness, a British driving license is just as useful to carry around as a passport. I'm pretty sure there aren't any significant advantages or disadvantages.

SirKirby · Joined: 03 Oct 2007 Posts: 261 Location: Barcelona, Spain

As a Spaniard, you will find it easier to get work in some schools -- "ordinary" schools as opposed to language schools, though that will also depend on whether or not your degree (if any) has been convalidated.

Don't have a Spanish degree/one that's been convalidated, you can't work there.

The same would apply to universities (unless you are being sent there by a language school, who are contracted to find and supply the language teachers)

madridhibs · Joined: 23 Jun 2009 Posts: 5

I don't think Spain recognises dual nationality - you'd have to renounce your British citizenship and become fully Spanish. Unless you have a deep longing to do this, I really can't see any reason for doing so. It won't help you in the EFL market anymore than being British.

jonniboy · Posted: Tue Nov 10, 2009 1:54 pm Post subject:

Madridhibs is right, Spain only recognises dual nationality for nationals of some Latin American countries. There's a long discussion on it here

http://www.notesfromspain.com/2009/02/06/becoming-residentdual-nationality-in-spain/

consensus is that if you're desperate dual UK/Spanish nationality is possible. You renounce your British citizenship, get Spanish citizenship, then reapply for British citizenship. Can't think why anyone would bother though to be honest.