Key Highlights:

• Automation technology, referred to as “robotization,” significantly accelerated the Spanish citizenship application process last year.
• This advancement in automation has alleviated the backlog that international applicants previously faced.
• Ester Pérez, the Director General of Legal Security and Public Faith, emphasized that robots are tireless and minimize human errors, making the process more efficient.
• The integration of this technology has led to record-high numbers of processed applications in 2023, the highest since 2013.

Automation: The Secret to Faster Citizenship Processing

The implementation of automation technology in reviewing citizenship applications has been pivotal in expediting the process. This technology enables robots to verify that applicants meet the necessary criteria, such as the required residency period in Spain, passing language and integration tests, and maintaining a clean criminal record. According to Ester Pérez, “robotization” is key to the increased efficiency, as robots never tire and are more precise, reducing the likelihood of human errors and preventing fraud.

Significant Reduction in Processing Times

Legal experts have observed a substantial reduction in the time required to process citizenship applications. Lawyer Vicente Marín from Parainmigrantes, an immigration law firm, noted that what once took three to four years is now often completed within the legal timeframe of one year, with many cases resolved even sooner. Similarly, Shakira Palacios from Emigrando consultancy reported that her clients’ waiting times have decreased from two to two and a half years to as little as two months.

32% Increase in Citizenship Approvals in 2023

In 2023, a total of 240,208 people acquired Spanish citizenship, marking a 32.3% increase from the previous year, according to the Spanish Statistical Office (INE). The most common countries of origin were Morocco (54,027), Venezuela (30,154), and Colombia (18,738). Of those who gained citizenship, 45.2% were men, and 54.8% were women, with the majority being aged 30-39, followed by the 40-49 age group.

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At Prime Properties, we recognize the significant impact that automation and technological advancements have on improving the efficiency and accuracy of governmental processes. The successful implementation of “robotization” in expediting Spanish citizenship applications is a testament to how technology can enhance public service delivery. We believe that similar innovations can be applied across various sectors, including real estate, to streamline operations, reduce processing times, and ultimately improve customer satisfaction. By leveraging such technology, we can further support our clients in navigating complex governmental procedures with greater ease and confidence, ensuring that their needs are met with precision and speed.