Would two years of university in Spain count towards Spanish citizenship for citizens for my kids?

Last Updated on March 18, 2026 by Bruno Bianchi

Question about Spanish citizenship

If we obtain residency via Spain Golden Visa for me and my kids as they are finishing high school (they would still be my dependent), can they attend two years of university in Madrid and that counts towards Spanish citizenship for citizens of former colonies (yes, we will qualify for this)?

– I hear that time spent as students only count as half-time (is that only if with student visa?).

– Would it be true if I got an NVL and included my 18 yr old DEPENDENT kids when they attend two yrs of college in Spain?

Answers

These are the answers of Spainguru Facebook group members:

“Student estancia isn’t residency. They need to be residents for two years. The half credit thing you’re referring to only applies to getting long term residency, it has no bearing on citizenship requirements. Both golden and NLV are residency types.”

“(College) student time doesn’t count for the Spanish citizenship by residence because it’s typically on an “estancia”, not on a residencia.
Your real question is whether your children can remain in Spain on a residencia once they’re 18 and continuing to go to college. While they’re minors, they will of course be on residencias for whatever type (NLV or golden visa) you are on.”

“If they’re residents, yes.”

“The answer, like everything else on this topic is, “it’s complicated.” Under 18, if your children live here with you, they inherit your residency status. I got a golden visa, thus my wife and kids have one too.
I am one year away (roughly) from applying for citizenship “de Origen,” due to my Dominican background. Once it is approved, my under 18 kids can apply for citizenship “by option,” except they really have until they are 20 to complete the process, due to a technicality.
If your kids are over 18 when you obtain your citizenship, then they have to go their own way, as they are now legally adults. As someone in this group pointed out, student residency typically doesn’t count for long term residency credit. They would have to stay here for two years under some other scheme and then apply “de Origen.”
Note: I am not a lawyer, just some schmuck who reads too much on the Internet, but I am currently going through this process with an eye toward getting my kids their nacionalidad through this method.”

Conclusion

In conclusion, according to Spainguru Facebook group members, the path to obtaining Spanish citizenship through residency, involves navigating a complex set of rules and regulations. The question of whether time spent as students can count towards Spanish citizenship remains a point of confusion. It is clarified that student estancia doesn’t count as residency, and the half-credit concept is relevant only for long-term residency, not Spanish citizenship requirements. Residency, be it through the Spain Golden Visa or Spain non lucrative visa, is the key requirement for eventual Spanish citizenship. Additionally, the residency status of dependent children under 18 is closely tied to that of their parents, but the process becomes more intricate once they reach adulthood. While the road to Spanish citizenship may be intricate, it is important to research and seek legal guidance from immigration experts.

Bruno Bianchi CEO & Spain Immigration Expert

Bruno Bianchi is the founder and CEO of Spainguru, Spain's largest expat immigration community with 150,000+ members. Since 2014 he has helped thousands of people relocate to Spain through expert guides, webinars and vetted professional services covering visas, residency, taxes and life in Spain.

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