New here, so thank to anyone who may have input or interested in sharing!

To explain a little about my situation, I am a U.S. citizen that has been living in Spain for about 3 years now.  Came over, liked it and stayed.  Did my one year illegal, learned the language, found a job that did my papers, and got a 1 year work/residency permit.  Now I am on the second work/residency permit and it is for 2 years. 

My question is really what is next with the card?  From most of the people I know it is a 3 year permit, albeit all of them are South American, and they can apply for nationality at the same time which will be approved around the time their permit ends.

So, what is the situation for someone in my case?  Is there a way to know?  What would my next step be, next residence card time?  How long before I actually get nationality? 

I would like to stay here, and want to go through all the steps thoroughly and make sure I am doing it correctly.  And during this time frame, would it jepordize anything to try and open my own business or is it necessary that I am working for a company.

Thank you for your asisstance.

Chef

chef,
when you have completed 10 years legal residence, you can start applying for citizenship.
be sure to renew your residence card 2 months before expiry date to avoid ilegal residence periods between expiry and renewal dates.
if you are a citizen of a former spanish colony or were born in puerto rico, you only have to accumulate 2 years residence.
if you are married to a spanish citizen, or if you wre born in spain, you only have to accumulate a year residence.

aritz - 25 April 2010 06:57 PM

chef,
when you have completed 10 years legal residence, you can start applying for citizenship.
be sure to renew your residence card 2 months before expiry date to avoid ilegal residence periods between expiry and renewal dates.
if you are a citizen of a former spanish colony or were born in puerto rico, you only have to accumulate 2 years residence.
if you are married to a spanish citizen, or if you wre born in spain, you only have to accumulate a year residence.

Thanks Aritz.  So I actually have to complete 10 years?  And must that 10 years be continuous? It is the only option?  Do you know how long my next residence card will last for?

chef,
maybe they will allow a few months break, and overlook. but really legally it’s 10 long years.
and when you apply until the citizenship is granted you have to be a legal resident.
the first residence card is for a year, then next one is for 2 years, then another 2 years, then 5 years, then 5 and so on.
you could shorten it to a year if you marry a spanish citizen.
if you do not renew immediately they may give you a 1 year residence card instead of a 2.

aritz - 25 April 2010 10:22 PM

chef,
maybe they will allow a few months break, and overlook. but really legally it’s 10 long years.
and when you apply until the citizenship is granted you have to be a legal resident.
the first residence card is for a year, then next one is for 2 years, then another 2 years, then 5 years, then 5 and so on.
you could shorten it to a year if you marry a spanish citizen.
if you do not renew immediately they may give you a 1 year residence card instead of a 2.

Wow.  So if not for marriage, I have a long way to go.  Damn.

Do you know if I need to be working for a company the entire time, or I can live here intending to start and grow my own business and retain the same work/residence visa?

chef,
just keep your residence card valid. you can work within the limits specified on the card.
you can be employed or/and self employed as far as hacienda is concerned.
you may have to choose which is better for you when it comes to social sec contribution.
as far as the ministry of interior (police) is concerned you are either employed or self employed, not both, until you get a permanent 5 year residence card.
i suppose you know what is looking for a job and keeping it or setting up a business like nowadays in spain, i would recommend keeping your job until you are sure your next activity is worth the risk.

aritz - 27 April 2010 12:58 AM

chef,
just keep your residence card valid. you can work within the limits specified on the card.
you can be employed or/and self employed as far as hacienda is concerned.
you may have to choose which is better for you when it comes to social sec contribution.
as far as the ministry of interior (police) is concerned you are either employed or self employed, not both, until you get a permanent 5 year residence card.
i suppose you know what is looking for a job and keeping it or setting up a business like nowadays in spain, i would recommend keeping your job until you are sure your next activity is worth the risk.

Thanks Aritz.  For sure i will intend to stay with the job, but you know how things are here and they don’t want anyone to be on fixed contract so that in itself is hard enough.