August M
Spain is witnessing a sharp rise in British nationals securing citizenship, a development that is reshaping debates about migration, housing and long-term residency.
The surge is happening at a time when foreign settlement has become an increasingly sensitive political issue.
According to The Express, new figures from Spanish authorities show UK-born residents are applying for citizenship in far greater numbers than a decade ago.
Citizenship surge
Data from Spain’s National Statistics Institute (INE) shows approvals for British applicants have increased more than eightfold since 2014.
While the overall number remains limited, the upward trend marks a clear shift from previous years.
The growth sits within a wider rise in naturalisations. The Majorca Daily Bulletin reported that Spain granted citizenship to several thousand foreign nationals in 2024, far exceeding levels seen in the late 2010s.
The Express said British residents now form one of the fastest-growing groups within that broader movement.
Together, the figures suggest Spain is increasingly viewed not just as a place to visit or work temporarily, but as somewhere to settle permanently.
Policy tensions grow
The rise in citizenship applications comes as public pressure mounts in parts of Spain over tourism and foreign residency.
During summer 2025, protests across the country targeted mass tourism and overseas residents, with demonstrators blaming them for rising living costs.
Political debate has since widened beyond tourism alone.
Housing availability and long-term settlement have become central themes, with some regional parties calling for tougher rules on non-resident property ownership.
The centre-right El Pi party has campaigned for limits on purchases by foreign individuals and companies, reflecting a broader shift toward protective housing policies.
According to The Express, these discussions have intensified as foreign ownership now accounts for a sizeable share of housing in popular regions such as Majorca.
Jobs behind demand
Economic factors are also shaping the debate.
Julian Claramunt, a political scientist with the analyst group Passes Perdudes, said labour shortages help explain why many foreign workers remain long enough to seek citizenship.
“Our economic system demands far more labour than the islands themselves can supply,” he told the Majorca Daily Bulletin.
“People come from abroad to fill these jobs and, after years of work, acquire citizenship.”
Claramunt said Brexit has further encouraged British residents already established in Spain to formalise their status, particularly in regions with strong demand for workers.
Settlement continues
Despite the political tensions, the Express reported that British nationals continue to settle in Spanish hotspots.
While tourism levels have fluctuated in response to protests, permanent residency and citizenship applications have continued to rise.
The contrast highlights a growing divide between short-term visitor pressures and longer-term migration patterns.
For policymakers, the challenge now lies in balancing economic reliance on foreign labour with mounting concerns over housing and social impact.
Sources: The Express, National Statistics Institute (Spain), Majorca Daily Bulletin
