Venezuelans are one of the largest foreign communities in Spain, and many have Spanish parents or grandparents, especially from the Canary Islands and Galicia. The landscape changed in 2026: Spain stopped granting and renewing humanitarian residence linked to refused asylum claims, and the driving licence exchange remains suspended. Here are the routes that work today and how to prepare your documents.
Key facts
- Entry: with a valid Venezuelan passport you can stay in the Schengen area visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. This does not allow work and does not, on its own, let you settle.
- Citizenship: as a national of an Ibero-American country you can apply for Spanish citizenship after 2 years of legal, continuous residence. There is no dual nationality treaty, but article 24 of the Civil Code exempts you from renouncing Venezuelan nationality.
- Documents: Venezuela is party to the Hague Convention and the apostille is processed online; no translation is needed.
- Driving: the exchange of Venezuelan licences has been suspended since 2021. Once resident you can drive for six months on your licence; after that you need a Spanish licence, with theory and practical tests.
- Social security: the Spain–Venezuela agreement lets contributions paid in both countries count towards your pension.
How people usually move
- Spanish ancestry. If your father or mother is Spanish by origin and born in Spain, you can opt for citizenship with no residence period. The grandchildren route under the Democratic Memory Law closed in October 2025. If you were born outside Spain and your father, mother, grandfather or grandmother was originally Spanish, you can apply for citizenship by residence after just 1 year of legal, continuous residence. Spanish citizenship
- Family. The spouse or registered partner, children (under 26 if the relative is Spanish, under 21 if from another EU country, or older and dependent) and dependent parents of a Spanish or EU citizen can obtain residence as family members; if your relative is a non-EU resident, the route is family reunification. Family member of a Spanish or EU citizen
- Studies. A degree, master’s or vocational course (FP) with a study authorisation, which allows work up to 30 hours a week. Time as a student does not count towards the 2 years for citizenship. Study permit
- Work or remote work. A contract with a Spanish company, a highly qualified profile, an EU Blue Card, or the digital nomad visa if you work remotely for clients abroad with a relationship of at least three months. If you held humanitarian residence, look into switching to another permit. Changing your permit
- International protection. It is for people facing persecution or a risk of serious harm; each case is assessed individually. Since 12 June 2026 a refusal no longer leads to the humanitarian residence that many Venezuelans used to receive. Asylum and international protection
- Arraigo after 2 years in Spain. It is a legal route, but it means a period in irregular status, with the risk of an expulsion order. If you were an asylum applicant, check how that time is treated. Arraigo
Documents and apostille
- Criminal record certificate from the Ministry of Interior, Justice and Peace (MPPRIJP): issued online only, as a PDF.
- Electronic apostille from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MPPRE): you upload the PDF to its online system and state the destination country.
- Birth and marriage certificates, apostilled. If you rely on ancestry, also get your parents’ certificates and the Spanish documents of the parent who passes on citizenship.
- Passport: it must be valid to travel and enter Spain. For immigration procedures inside Spain, the rules on expired passports have changed several times; check which one applies before you file.
What to keep in mind
- Visas are handled by the Consulate General of Spain in Caracas, with an individual appointment per applicant through its booking system; if you travel as a family, it is best to book all appointments for the same day.
- Apply for your passport or extension well in advance: it is the document that delays procedures most. Check that it has the validity the border requires before buying your ticket.
- Even without a visa, border officers may ask for a return ticket, a hotel booking or letter of invitation and proof of funds.
- In Spain: register at the town hall (padrón) and, if you came with a residence visa, apply for your TIE within the first month. If you held humanitarian residence, do not wait for it to expire before seeking another permit.
Frequently asked questions
I had humanitarian residence. What now?
Since 12 June 2026 Spain no longer grants or renews this residence linked to refused asylum claims. Since 16 April 2026 holders could apply to switch to other residence or work permits. If yours is expiring or has expired, check as soon as possible which permit fits your situation.
Is my expired Venezuelan passport valid?
To travel and enter Spain, no: you need a valid passport. For immigration procedures inside Spain, the rules on expired Venezuelan passports have changed several times since 2019, and for citizenship or the Civil Registry a different rule may apply. Check the one in force before you file.
Will I lose Venezuelan nationality if I become Spanish?
Not on the Spanish side: article 24 of the Civil Code does not require nationals of Ibero-American countries to renounce, even without a treaty. You apply after 2 years of legal, continuous residence and pass the CCSE test of the Instituto Cervantes; the DELE is not required because Spanish is an official language of Venezuela.