How to Get Spanish Nationality
Legal guidance for foreign residents, spouses of Spanish citizens, descendants of Spaniards and families who want to apply for Spanish citizenship.
Obtaining Spanish nationality is a major legal step. It gives access to full Spanish citizenship rights, including the right to live and work in Spain and the European Union, vote in elections, obtain a Spanish passport and enjoy the legal protection of the Spanish State.
3 main routes
Nationality by origin, by option and by residence.
Residence periods vary
10, 5, 2 or 1 year depending on the applicant’s situation.
Full citizenship rights
Spanish nationality gives broader rights than residence permits.
What Does Obtaining Spanish Nationality Mean?
Spanish nationality is not simply a residence permit. It means becoming a Spanish citizen, with rights and obligations under Spanish law.
Freedom of Residence
Spanish nationality allows you to reside in Spain and move within the European Union under the rights attached to Spanish and EU citizenship.
Political Rights
Spanish citizens may vote and may also be elected in the corresponding elections, subject to the applicable legal requirements.
Spanish Passport
Once nationality is granted and registered, the applicant may obtain Spanish identity documents and a Spanish passport.
Important
Spanish nationality also involves obligations, including compliance with Spanish law, tax obligations where applicable, and the constitutional duties attached to Spanish citizenship.
Main Ways to Obtain Spanish Nationality
Spanish nationality can be acquired through different legal routes. The correct route depends on your place of birth, family origin, adoption, parental authority, residence in Spain and personal circumstances.
Nationality by Origin
This applies mainly to people who are Spanish from birth, including children born to a Spanish father or mother and certain cases of birth in Spain.
Nationality by Option
This route allows certain people with a close family connection to Spain to choose Spanish nationality within the legally recognised situations.
Nationality by Residence
This is the most common route for foreign residents who have legally lived in Spain for the required period and meet the remaining legal conditions.
Spanish Nationality by Origin
Nationality by origin is acquired in cases where Spanish law considers a person Spanish from birth or from a legally equivalent situation.
This route is different from nationality by residence because it is based on birth, parentage, adoption or specific circumstances recognised by the Spanish Civil Code.
Examples of nationality by origin
- Children born to a Spanish father or mother.
- Children born in Spain to foreign parents when at least one parent was also born in Spain, subject to exceptions.
- Children born in Spain to stateless parents or where the law of the parents’ country does not grant nationality to the child.
- Children born in Spain whose parentage is not determined.
- Foreign minors adopted by Spanish nationals.
Spanish Nationality by Option
Nationality by option is a benefit that Spanish law grants to certain foreign citizens who have a special connection with Spain or with Spanish citizens.
This route is particularly relevant for descendants of Spaniards, people subject to the parental authority of a Spanish citizen, and certain adoption or parentage cases.
Who may have the right to opt?
- Persons who are or have been subject to the parental authority of a Spanish citizen.
- Persons whose father or mother was Spanish and born in Spain.
- Certain cases where parentage or birth in Spain is determined after the age of 18
- Persons adopted by Spanish citizens after the age of 18, within the legal deadline.
- Children of Spanish emigrants in legally recognised cases.
Spanish Nationality by Residence
Nationality by residence is the most common route for foreign citizens who have legally lived in Spain for the required period. The residence must normally be legal, continuous and immediately prior to the application.
Types
- 10 years. General rule
- 5 years. Refugees
- 2 years. Nationals of Ibero-American countries, Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea, Portugal and Sephardic origin cases
- 1 year. Specific special cases
Residence must be legal and continuous
Time spent in Spain as a tourist does not normally count as legal residence for nationality purposes. Student stay periods may also require specific legal analysis, as they are not always equivalent to residence for nationality purposes.
Main Requirements for Nationality by Residence
Meeting the residence period is not enough. Applicants must also prove good civic conduct, sufficient integration into Spanish society and compliance with the documentation and procedural requirements.
The application is usually filed electronically before the Spanish Ministry of Justice, although legal representation is highly recommended to avoid mistakes, delays or refusals.
Main Requirements for Nationality by Residence
- Legal, continuous and immediately prior residence in Spain for the required period.
- Valid residence permit or legal status in Spain.
- Good civic conduct and no serious criminal record.
- Sufficient degree of integration into Spanish society.
- Passing the CCSE exam, unless exempt.
- Passing the DELE A2 Spanish language exam, unless exempt.
- Payment of the official nationality application fee.
- Correct preparation and filing of all required documents.
Documents Commonly Required
The exact documentation depends on the applicant’s nationality, family situation and route to Spanish nationality. Foreign documents normally need to be legalised or apostilled and translated into Spanish where required.
Identity and Residence
- Valid passport.
- Residence card or TIE.
- Certificate of registration or padrón.
- Proof of legal residence in Spain.
Civil Status Documents
- Birth certificate.
- Marriage certificate, if applicable.
- Birth certificates of children, if relevant.
- Documents proving Spanish family links, where applicable.
Conduct and Integration
- Criminal record certificate from the country of origin.
- Spanish criminal record check, where applicable.
- CCSE certificate.
- DELE A2 certificate, if required.
- Proof of payment of the official fee.
Spanish Nationality vs Long-Term Residence
Long-term residence and Spanish nationality are not the same. Long-term residence gives a stable immigration status, but it does not provide all rights attached to Spanish citizenship.
issue
lONG TERM RESIDENCE
SPANISH NATIONALITY
KEY POINTS
Right to live in Spain
Yes
Yes
In case of Long Term Residence, subject to maintaining residence status and card formalities
Spanish passport
No
Yes
You may obtain a Spanish passport after registration as Spanish nationaly only.
Voting rights
Restricted (local usually)
Yes
Spanish nationality provides full political rights as a Spanish citizen.
Public office and certain civil service positions
Restricted in many cases
Broader access
Subject in both cases to rules in each position
EU citizenship
No automatic
Yes
Spanish nationality gives EU citizenship.
Travel document
No
Yes
You may travel with a Spanish passport in case of Nationality.
How the Spanish Nationality Process Works
We assist clients from the initial eligibility analysis to the preparation, filing and follow-up of the nationality application.
Initial Review
We review your nationality, residence history, family situation, criminal records and possible reduced residence periods.
Choose the Right Route
We confirm whether you qualify through residence, option, origin or another legally recognised route.
Prepare Documents
We help prepare certificates, translations, apostilles, exam records, residence evidence and civil status documents.
Application Filing
The nationality application is prepared and filed before the competent Spanish authority, usually through the online procedure.
Follow-Up
We monitor the file, respond to requests and advise on additional documentation if the administration requires it.
Oath and Registration
After approval, the applicant must complete the oath or promise and Civil Registry formalities before obtaining Spanish documents.
What Happens After Nationality Is Granted?
Approval of the nationality file is not the final step. The applicant must normally complete the oath or promise of allegiance to the King and obedience to the Spanish Constitution and laws.
After the oath and registration at the Civil Registry, the applicant can obtain Spanish identity documents and a Spanish passport.
Final steps usually include:
- Receiving the nationality approval resolution.
- Booking or attending the Civil Registry appointment.
- Taking the oath or promise.
- Declaring renunciation of previous nationality, unless exempt.
- Registration of birth and nationality in the Spanish Civil Registry.
- Applying for DNI and Spanish passport.
Why Use TLA - Spanish Solicitors?
Immigration decisions often affect your tax residence, property purchase, estate planning and family relocation strategy.
We explain the process clearly and avoid unnecessary legal complexity.
We explain the process clearly and avoid unnecessary legal complexity.
We explain the process clearly and avoid unnecessary legal complexity.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I need to live in Spain to apply for Spanish nationality?
The general rule is ten years of legal, continuous and immediately prior residence. However, some applicants may qualify after five, two or one year depending on nationality or personal circumstances.
Can Latin American citizens apply after two years?
Nationals of Ibero-American countries, as well as Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea, Portugal and certain Sephardic origin cases, may benefit from a reduced two-year residence period.
Can I apply after marrying a Spanish citizen?
A foreign spouse of a Spanish citizen may apply after one year of legal residence in Spain and one year of marriage, provided there is no legal or de facto separation.
Do I need to pass exams?
Most applicants must pass the CCSE exam and, where applicable, the DELE A2 Spanish language exam. Exemptions may apply depending on nationality, age, disability or personal circumstances.
Do I have to renounce my previous nationality?
In many cases, yes, although Spain recognises exceptions for certain countries. The effect of renunciation should also be checked under the law of your country of origin.
Is Spanish nationality the same as long-term residence?
No. Long-term residence allows you to live and work in Spain under stable immigration conditions, but Spanish nationality gives full citizenship rights and access to a Spanish passport.
Can criminal records affect my application?
Yes. Spanish nationality requires good civic conduct. Criminal records, police records or administrative issues may affect the application and should be reviewed before filing
What happens after nationality is approved?
The applicant must normally complete the oath or promise, Civil Registry registration and later apply for Spanish identity documents and passport.
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