Venezuelans in Spain


Venezuelans in Spain form one of the main immigrant groups from Hispanic America in the country. Spain is the European country to which most Venezuelans choose to migrate because of the language, family ties and shared customs. As all Latin Americans, Venezuelans who emigrate are allowed to gain Spanish citizenship, within three years due to their Spanish ancestry. 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.

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 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.
Some estimated 100,000 Venezuelans settled in Madrid, assimilating well into Spanish society due to common Hispanic ethnicity and family ties.
Recently, the crisis in Venezuela led to a large number of Venezuelan immigrants, comprising the majority of the current Venezuelan population in Spain.

Venezuelan-born population in Spain (including dual nationals)

Notable people