Chasing the Spanish Dream: Does Your First Year in Oviedo Actually Count?

As Filipinos, we’ve learned to be cautious with information like this. Migration journeys are rarely simple, and online advice, no matter how well‑intentioned, can easily blur the line between fact and assumption. We felt hopeful because Spain finally felt right, but we were also careful not to rely on rumors alone.

So instead of guessing, we chose to verify everything properly.

The Difference That Changes Everything: “Estancia” vs. “Residencia”

One of the most misunderstood parts of Spanish immigration is the legal difference between estancia (stay) and residencia (residency). On paper, the words seem similar. In practice, they determine whether your time in Spain actually counts toward long‑term goals like permanent residency or citizenship.

This distinction is where many people, especially students, get stuck. Student visas fall under estancia. Someone can live in Spain for five years, speak fluent Spanish, and build a full life here, yet legally their citizenship clock never starts because their card does not say residencia.

The Spain Digital Nomad Visa is different.

Under Spain’s Entrepreneurs Act (Ley 14/2013), the Digital Nomad Visa grants legal residency, not merely permission to stay. That single word matters more than most people realize. If you look at your TIE (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero) and it clearly states Residencia, you are not a long‑term tourist. You are officially a resident of Spain.

For Filipinos, this distinction is life‑changing.

Because of Spain’s historical ties with the Philippines, Filipino citizens are eligible to apply for Spanish citizenship after just two years of legal residency, instead of the usual ten. Since the Spain DNV grants residency from day one, that first year is not a trial period or a wasted year—it is already half of the required time.

Confirmed, Not Assumed

We want to be very clear about this: we didn’t arrive at this understanding through guesswork or social media opinions. Before sharing any of this publicly on myjseven.com, we cross‑checked the information using official Spanish government sources and confirmed it directly with an immigration advisor who handles real cases on the ground.

This matters to us. Immigration decisions affect lives, savings, and families. We never want to spread false hope or oversimplify a process that deserves care and accuracy. Everything we share is based on what is legally valid, professionally confirmed, and personally experienced.

Continuity: The Quiet Rule That Keeps the Clock Ticking

Residency isn’t just about paperwork — it’s about presence.

To qualify for Spanish citizenship, residency must be continuous. In simple terms, that means Spain needs to be your real home. Short trips are fine, but being outside Spain for more than three months in total during the two‑year period can break continuity.

For us, that meant making intentional choices. Weekend trips are lovely, but Oviedo remains our anchor. Every grocery run, every walk through Parque San Francisco, every ordinary day matters more than it seems. This isn’t just daily life. It’s legal continuity.

When people ask whether the first year “counts,” this is often the missing piece. Yes, it counts but only if you live it properly.

Renewals Don’t Reset the Clock

Another common fear we hear is about renewals. What happens when the first year ends? Does everything reset?

It doesn’t.

When your initial Spain Digital Nomad Visa expires, you renew your permit typically for a longer period. Because you started as a resident, the renewal is a continuation, not a restart. There is no gap, no reset, and no lost time, as long as your documents are in order and your residency remains continuous.

Seeing the word Residencia on your TIE isn’t just reassuring, it’s confirmation that you’re building something real.

A Quiet Reminder

If you’re a Filipino digital nomad living in Spain, or dreaming of making the move, don’t let online rumors dictate your decisions. The Spain Digital Nomad Visa is one of the few pathways that recognizes modern remote work while offering a realistic long‑term future.

Your time here matters from the very first day.

You’re not just passing through. You’re building residency, stability, and possibility — one ordinary day at a time.

And if Spain feels right to you, trust that instinct, then verify the facts. That balance has guided us every step of the way as MJ & Seven in Spain.

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