Spanish Citizenship: Does Being an Auxiliar de Conversacion Contribute to Residency Requirements?

Last Updated on April 18, 2026 by Bruno Bianchi

Question

I’m about to receive my double Mexican nationality and am hoping to fast track for Spanish Citizenship. I have already lived in Spain as an American through the “auxiliar de conversacion” / NALCAP program.

I was wondering if this would count towards the two years residency needed to apply for Spanish citizenship. I was given a Permiso de Residencia card with my NIE on it. If not, what visas are most Latinos using to have residency for two years? I’m determined to become a part of the EU.

Answers

These are the answers of Spainguru’s Facebook group members:

“You’re not a legal resident as an auxiliar de conversacion so it doesn’t count for citizenship.”

“No, it’s an estancia, not a residencia so it doesn’t count towards years for citizenship.”

“Look at the consulate website for residency types. You need a “residency”… not an “estancia” which is what you have.”

“You will need to change to a full type of residency. Student visa does not count towards Spanish residency or citizenship.”

“Your student visa years don’t count towards the residency years that count towards your nationality BUT they can be used towards a modification that gives you a residency.”

“To present the application for Spanish nationality by residence, you must first modify it to a residence permit since student permits do not count toward the necessary 2 years.”

“The years with a student permit do not count for nationality but count toward the EU long-term residency.”

“You need to have work permit or NLV or DNV – that would count into 2 years residency.”

Conclusion

The conversation indicates that time spent in Spain under the “auxiliar de conversación” program, which provides an “estancia” rather than “residencia”, does not count towards the residency period required for Spanish citizenship applications.

To be eligible, one needs to convert their status to a full residency visa, such as a work permit or a Non-Lucrative Visa (NLV), and reside in Spain for the required time. It’s also highlighted that despite holding a student visa, the period does not contribute towards the two-year residency needed but may be helpful in obtaining a different type of residency later.

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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