Obtaining Spanish Nationality

Why Obtain Spanish Nationality

Here are some of the benefits of obtaining Spanish nationality:

Right to live and work in any country in the European Union.
Access to full public services, such as education and healthcare.
Possibility of voting and participating in elections.
Legal security and consular protection abroad.
Full integration into Spanish society.

Requirements to Obtain Spanish Nationality in 2024

Legal and Continuous Residence: Generally, it is required to have resided legally in Spain for at least 10 years continuously. There are exceptions that reduce this period to:
- 5 years for refugees.
- 2 years for citizens of Latin American countries, Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea, Portugal or people of Sephardic origin.
- 1 year for those born in Spanish territory, married to a Spanish citizen, or children of Spanish parents or grandparents.
Integration into Spanish Society: You will need to demonstrate your integration into Spanish society, which includes knowledge of the Spanish language and the country's culture and institutions. This is assessed through two exams: the DELE A2 (or higher) and the CCSE test.
Good Civic Conduct: It is necessary to have a history of good civic conduct, which implies not having a criminal record in either Spain or your country of origin.
Means of Livelihood: You must prove that you have sufficient financial means to support yourself and your family.

Documentation required for Spanish Nationality

To apply for Spanish nationality by residence, you must gather and present the following documentation:

Application form.
Full Passport.
Residence card.
Criminal Record Certificates from the last 5 years.
Certificate of registration.
Marriage and Birth Certificates.
DELE and CCSE exams:
- Certificate of DELE A2 exam (or higher) of knowledge of the Spanish language.
- Certificate of CCSE exam of constitutional and sociocultural knowledge.
Economy ways.

Process to apply for Spanish Nationality

Collection of Documentation:

Gather all necessary documents, such as: your passport, residence card, birth certificates, criminal record, and proof of financial means, etc.

Submission of Application:

Prepare your application for nationality and submit it at the Civil Registry in your area or electronically through the Ministry of Justice's online office.

Conducting the Exams:

Register and take the two mandatory exams: DELE and CCSE and you must pass them to obtain nationality and be able to be a Spanish citizen.

Personal interview:

In some cases, you may be called for a personal interview at the Civil Registry to assess your integration into Spanish society.

Wait for Resolution:

Once you have submitted your application and taken the exams, you will have to wait for the decision. This process can take several months.

Oath:

If your application is approved, you will be called to take the oath or promise of fidelity to the Constitution and the King of Spain.

Spanish nationality by Naturalization

Spanish nationality by naturalization is an exceptional process granted by the Spanish government in specific cases. This method is intended for those who do not meet the standard residency requirements but have demonstrated significant ties to Spain.

Legal Residence: Although there is no specific period of legal residence, you will need to demonstrate strong and long-lasting ties to Spain.
Good Civic Conduct: not having a criminal record in Spain or in your country of origin or in the countries where you have previously resided.
Integration into Spanish society: demonstrate sufficient knowledge of the Spanish language and the country's culture and institutions.

Spanish Nationality by Marriage

If you are married to a Spanish citizen, you can apply for Spanish nationality after one year of legal and continuous residence in Spain.

Requirements for Nationality by Marriage

Legal and continued residence

Have legally resided in Spain for at least 1 year.

Valid and Continuous Marriage

Be married to a Spanish citizen for at least 1 year and live together.

Integration into Spanish Society

Demonstrate sufficient knowledge of the Spanish language and of Spanish culture and institutions.

Good Civic Conduct

Not having a criminal record in Spain or in your country of origin or in the countries where you have previously resided.

If you have made Spain your home for a while and want to settle permanently, there are various ways to achieve this goal. The best option for you will depend on your personal situation and your specific goals.

Permanent residence or Spanish nationality? Which one to choose?

Both options allow you to reside in Spain for an indefinite period, but it is crucial to understand the differences between them. After having resided in the country continuously for 5 years, you can apply for permanent residency in Spain. This type of permit gives non-EU citizens the possibility of staying in the country for a long period, under similar conditions to those of Spanish citizens. Therefore, it could be the preferred option, as it is possibly the easiest to obtain.

Frequently asked questions about obtaining Spanish nationality in 2024

How to obtain Spanish citizenship?

You can apply for Spanish nationality after living in Spain for 10 years. There are other ways to acquire Spanish citizenship, such as by choice, marriage, descent or naturalization.

How long does it take to obtain nationality?

You can easily apply for Spanish citizenship by nationality after 2.5 or 10 years of residence in Spain with your residence permit. If you have Spanish immigrant parents, you can apply for citizenship thanks to this.

Does Spain allow dual nationality?

Dual nationality will be granted to all Spaniards based on their origin, provided that they announce their intention to maintain Spanish nationality within three years of acquiring another nationality.

How can I check the status of my file?

In order to check the status of your application for Spanish nationality, the Ministry of Justice provides citizens with a website where they can view the status of their file online.