content: Nah, they are, however since 2007 they started issuing their own Citizenship documents and subsequently Spain started recognizing these certificates as Puerto Rican and not U.S. citizenship the same year. In effect, normally a U.S. citizen living in Spain could apply for Spaniard citizenship after continued residence for 10 years. However, if you are a Puerto Rican Citizen with this certificate, you are able to apply for Spanish citizenship after only 2 years of continued residence in Spain. The bonus with all of this is that Puerto Ricans no longer have to renounce their U.S. citizenship to the U.S. I'm now a dual-citizen. If I moved to Spain and was granted citizenship there, I would in effect be a multi-citizen. Double triple bonus is that I also gain citizenship to all 28 European Union member states meaning I would have 4 citizenships. It's the little perks. haha.