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Spanish citizenship: requirements and timescales

Citizenship by residence is granted after a period of legal and continuous residence in Spain. How long depends on your country of origin and your family situation.

How many years?

• 10 years: the general rule, which applies to British, American and Irish citizens, among others.
• 2 years: nationals of Latin American countries, Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea and Portugal, and people of Sephardic origin.
• 1 year: if you are married to a Spanish citizen and live together, if you were born in Spain, or if you are the widow or widower of a Spanish citizen, among other cases.

The exams

You must pass the CCSE (constitutional and sociocultural knowledge) exam of the Instituto Cervantes, and the DELE A2 Spanish exam if you do not come from a Spanish-speaking country.

The application

It is best done online with the Ministry of Justice, with a fee of about €100, a criminal record certificate from your country (apostilled and translated if needed), a birth certificate and your padrón certificate. The answer often takes between one and three years.

Can you keep your current nationality?

Nationals of Latin American countries, Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea, Portugal and France can keep their nationality. Other applicants, including British, American and Irish citizens, are asked to renounce their previous nationality when they take the oath. Check what this means under your own country's law before applying.

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