Venezuelans in Spain (Spanish: Venezolanos in España) form the third largest immigrant groups in Spain, which is also the European country to which most Venezuelans choose to migrate because of shared language, customs and family ties.

Venezuelan immigration to Spain increased as a result of the country's ongoing political crisis.[3] As of January 2024, over 599,769 Venezuelans reside in Spain.[1]

History

As a former part of the Spanish Empire in the Americas and a major destination of Spanish emigration up until the second half of the 20th century, Venezuela shares strong historical ties with Spain.

After Hugo Chávez came to power following the 1998 Venezuelan presidential election many upper-class Venezuelans decided to leave the country, a movement that intensified with the failure of the 2002 coup against President Chávez.

In 2021, Venezuela constituted the third-largest source of migration to Spain after Morocco and Colombia.[4] Some estimated 100,000 Venezuelans settled in Madrid, assimilating well into Spanish society due to common Hispanic ethnicity and family ties.[5]

Similarly to nationals from other countries of Ibero-America, Venezuelans of origin are allowed to apply for dual Spanish citizenship after two years of legal residence in Spain. In addition, Venezuelans who are children or grandchildren of Spanish citizens can legally obtain Spanish citizenship from their countries of origin, an option open to over 3 million Venezuelans.[6]

Venezuelan-born population in Spain (including dual nationals)

Vertical bar chart of Venezuelan-born population in Spain between 2000 and 2019
  Population (1998-2019) Venezuelan-born population in Spain of Spanish and/or Venezuelan nationality according to the Instituto Nacional de Estadística.[7]

Notable people

See also

References


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