Years of residence required
In every case residence must be lawful, continuous and immediately before filing. Estancia por estudios does not count as residence for citizenship. Good civic conduct and sufficient integration are assessed; a shorter period does not replace other requirements.
- 10 years of legal, continuous residence as the general rule.
- 5 years for people with refugee status.
- Two years for nationals by origin of Ibero-American countries, Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea, Portugal and Sephardic applicants (Civil Code article 22).
- One year of residence for article 22 categories. Spouses need one year of marriage to a Spanish citizen when applying, without legal or factual separation; widowed applicants must not have been separated at the spouse’s death. Marriage or birth in Spain does not automatically confer citizenship.
CCSE and DELE A2 exams
CCSE tests constitutional and sociocultural knowledge: 25 questions, 15 correct answers to pass, valid for four years.
DELE A2 or higher certifies Spanish. The nationality exemption concerns countries or territories with Spanish as an official language. Minors and other specified cases have separate rules and possible dispensations; speaking Spanish or having a disability alone does not automatically exempt you.
Documents
- Valid passport and TIE card.
- Birth certificate, apostilled and sworn-translated.
- Home-country criminal records where required, with the applicable authentication and translation. Spanish records can normally be checked administratively with valid authorisation.
- Up-to-date empadronamiento certificate.
- CCSE and DELE A2 certificates.
- Proof of the 026 fee payment and evidence of integration: work, income, studies.
How the process works
The application is filed online on the Ministry of Justice portal, with a digital certificate or through a representative. Progress is tracked in the «Cómo va lo mío» service.
The statutory period is one year from receipt by the competent authority, subject to lawful suspension. Within 180 days of notification, complete Civil Code article 23 requirements, including oath/promise and declarations where applicable. Registration and identity documents are subsequent stages.
Dual citizenship
Spain allows dual citizenship with certain countries, including Latin American states, Portugal, Andorra, the Philippines and Equatorial Guinea. Otherwise the oath includes renouncing the previous nationality for Spanish law purposes; the real effect depends on your home country's legislation.