Spanish Nationality

Spain offers several routes to Spanish nationality, depending on the length of residence, family ties and the applicant's legal situation. Here is a clear summary of the main procedures.

This is the most common route. It requires legal residence in Spain for:

• 10 years: general rule
• 5 years: refugees
• 2 years: nationals of Ibero-American countries, Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea and Portugal, and people of Sephardic origin
• 1 year:
• • People born in Spain
  • People married to a Spanish citizen
  • Widows and widowers of a Spanish citizen
  • Children or grandchildren of Spaniards by origin
  • People under the guardianship of a Spanish institution

Important: Time spent in Spain on a study stay does NOT count towards nationality by residence. Only years with a residence permit count (work, family, EU family member, arraigo, etc.).

For people with direct family ties to Spain:

• Children of Spanish citizens
• People under the guardianship of a Spanish citizen
• Children of a Spanish father or mother born in Spain

It is a faster procedure with fewer requirements.

Granted on an exceptional basis by the Government in cases of:

• Outstanding merits
• Special interest for Spain
• Humanitarian circumstances

• Minors born in Spain whose parents cannot pass on their nationality
• Minors adopted by Spanish citizens (automatic acquisition)

Unless exempt, applicants must pass:

• CCSE: constitutional and sociocultural knowledge of Spain
• DELE A2: Spanish language (not required for nationals of Spanish-speaking countries)

• Assessment of the right route for your case
• Preparation of the application file
• Official sworn translations when the documents require them
• Online submission
• Follow-up of the application until a decision is issued