Changing Places" (Secker & Warburg, UK, 1975) was a very entertaining novel by David Lodge (1935-2025), part of a trilogy about academic life along with Small World (1984) and Nice Work (1988), which were turned into a successful TV series starring Warren Clarke (1947-2014) and Haydn Gwynne (1957-2023).
I'm thinking of changing places too.
Well I already did, swapping the UK for Spain 16 years ago, but now I'm going to go a step further and change nationality, from British to Spanish.
My thinking
While Britain was a member of the European Union, everything was fine. But since we left the bloc in 2020 following the disastrous referendum result in 2016, I have become increasingly frustrated, with the extra restrictions I am subject to.
Although I'm a permanent resident, I can no longer use the EU channel at passport control at ports, airports and border crossings, so I have to stand in a long queue with other "aliens".
I can no longer vote in European elections as previously, although I can still vote in local council elections.
These issues are important for me, but what really matters is that with Spanish nationality I can vote in national and regional elections.
A Spanish passport is cheaper than a British one and I can get it and renew it locally rather than having to do it all in the UK. A British passport renewal from Spain currently costs 153€ and takes ages. A Spanish one costs 30€ and is "en el acto" (while-you-wait).
Oh, and I can visit one more country without needing a visa than I can with a British passport. Which country? No idea.
What I've done about it
I've been thinking of applying for Spanish nationality for the best part of two years. I've done the research and know what is required.
I shall have to surrender my British passport, but I am no longer emotionally attached to my navy blue travel document.
I have checked with all the relevant bodies, ie my pension providers and the Foreign & Commonwealth Office, and there is nothing to prevent me from going ahead.
So, why have I not done it?
Inertia, I'm ashamed to admit.
Plus the fact that it will take up to three years, even though the application process is digital, ie online. You cannot go to an office and speak to somebody.
So, why is it not instant?
Next steps
Obviously the longer I put it off, the longer it will be before I became a Spaniard with a maroon Spanish EU passport.
I set myself deadlines for the end of November 2024, and then for the end of January 2025 and both have been and gone.
My family and friends advise me against switching nationality. Why?
The experience of others
I know a few British women who did this years ago. They married Spanish men and were committed to living in Spain. They report that there have been absolutely no problems. They've even managed to maintain their UK passports even though it's not allowed. Apparently the Spanish and UK passport authorities "do not talk to each other".
The late David Lodge [BBC]
Endword
My latest deadline is the end of April, so I have just under two weeks left. I'm determined to do it.
Watch this space!
© Pablo de Ronda
Photos:
Amazon, BBC, British Chamber of Commerce, Daily Mail, Wikipedia
Acknowledgements:
Costa Press Club, DWP, Department for Work and Pensions, Foreign & Commonwealth Office, Merseyside Pension Fund, UK Passport Office, Wikipedia
Links:
How to apply for a Spanish passport | Expatica
HOW TO ….. become a Spanish resident? - New rules
Ministry of Interior | Passport
Spanish passport - Wikipedia
Tags:
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