Ten years, two years, one year or, in some family situations, a completely different route. This is why the question of how to get Spanish citizenship cannot be answered with a single rule. The correct procedure depends on nationality, family background, legal residence in Spain and several other personal circumstances.
Spanish nationality can be acquired through different routes established by the Civil Code. For foreign residents, nationality by residence is one of the most common options, but there are shorter qualifying periods for particular nationalities and personal situations. Family connections with Spanish citizens can also open alternative routes.
From our experience with international clients, we recommend checking eligibility before calculating dates or preparing documents.
Who can obtain Spanish citizenship?
Spanish legislation provides several ways of acquiring nationality. They should not be confused with one another because the requirements, qualifying periods and procedures can be substantially different.
Spanish citizenship by residence
For many foreigners living in Spain, residence is the relevant route. The applicant must have completed the required period of legal, continuous residence immediately before filing the application and must demonstrate good civic conduct and a sufficient degree of integration into Spanish society.
The standard period is ten years, although the Civil Code establishes important reductions to five, two or one year according to the applicant’s circumstances. Time spent in Spain does not necessarily count merely because a person has been physically present in the country. The nature and continuity of the legal residence must be examined.
This distinction is particularly important for people who have spent several years in Spain under different immigration statuses. Before relying on a date, we recommend reviewing the residence history as a whole.
Spanish citizenship by descent and option
Family links may provide an alternative to nationality through long-term residence. Spanish law recognises nationality of origin in certain situations and gives a right of option to certain people with a direct connection to a Spanish parent. For example, a person whose father or mother was originally Spanish and born in Spain may have a right to opt for Spanish nationality.
This is why the popular expression Spanish citizenship by descent can be misleading. Having a Spanish ancestor does not automatically mean that every descendant is entitled to nationality under the same procedure.
The dates and places of birth of parents and grandparents, whether they were Spanish of origin and whether nationality was retained or lost can fundamentally change the legal position. A family tree should therefore be supported by Civil Registry certificates rather than assumptions based solely on surnames or ancestry.
Spanish citizenship by marriage
Marriage to a Spanish citizen does not automatically make the foreign spouse Spanish. What it can do is substantially reduce the residence period required for nationality.
Under the Civil Code, an applicant who has been married to a Spanish citizen for at least one year at the time of the application and is not legally or factually separated may apply after one year of qualifying residence in Spain.
The marriage itself therefore does not replace residence. Someone searching for Spanish citizenship by marriage while living permanently abroad should not assume that the wedding starts an automatic route to a Spanish passport.
Evidence concerning the marriage, residence and continuity of the relationship may form part of the application. These elements should be checked before the qualifying date is calculated.
Citizenship by birth and adoption
Being born in Spain does not automatically make every child a Spanish citizen. Spain does recognise nationality of origin in specific circumstances, including children born to a Spanish father or mother and certain children born in Spain whose parents are foreign nationals.
A child born in Spain to foreign parents may also benefit from the reduced one-year residence period if Spanish nationality was not acquired automatically at birth.
Foreign minors adopted by Spanish citizens acquire Spanish nationality of origin from the adoption. Where the person adopted is over 18, the Civil Code provides a right to opt for nationality within the applicable period.
This is another area where nationality, birth and family law interact, making an individual examination preferable to relying on general rules found online.
How many years do you need to live in Spain to get citizenship?
Residence time is one of the most searched aspects of Spanish nationality, yet it is also one of the areas where applicants most frequently apply the wrong rule. Article 22 of the Civil Code establishes four principal residence periods.
The general 10-year residence period
Most foreign nationals who do not fall within a reduced category must complete ten years of qualifying residence before applying. This means that a British, American, Canadian or Australian citizen will generally start from the ten-year rule unless another specific circumstance applies.
The calculation is not simply based on the date someone first visited Spain or purchased a property. The applicant must establish the period of legal residence recognised for nationality purposes.
Long or frequent periods outside Spain can also become relevant when the administration assesses whether residence has genuinely been continuous. For that reason, we recommend reviewing travel history before submitting an application close to the minimum qualifying date.
Five years for recognised refugees
People who have obtained recognised refugee status benefit from a reduced period of five years. This reduction applies because the Civil Code expressly distinguishes recognised refugees from applicants subject to the standard period.
The applicant still needs to satisfy the remaining nationality requirements, including legal and continuous residence, good civic conduct and integration. Refugee status reduces the period but does not eliminate the rest of the assessment.
Documentation proving the relevant status and residence history must therefore be incorporated correctly into the file.
Two years for certain nationalities
One of the most significant exceptions concerns applicants who are nationals of origin of Ibero-American countries, Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea or Portugal. Sephardim are also included in the two-year rule established by Article 22. This makes the route particularly important for citizens of countries such as Argentina, Colombia, Mexico, Peru, Chile and the Philippines.
The relevant requirement is nationality of origin. Applicants who obtained one of these nationalities later in life should therefore verify whether the reduced period applies to their particular situation.
Two years of residence does not mean automatic nationality after two years. Once the qualifying period has been completed, the applicant still has to submit the application and demonstrate all other applicable requirements.
One year in specific circumstances
Spanish law reduces the period even further for several defined groups. The one-year residence rule can apply to:
- People born in Spain: A foreign national born on Spanish territory who did not acquire nationality automatically may qualify after one year of legal residence.
- People who did not exercise a previous right of option: Certain applicants who could previously have opted for nationality can benefit from the reduced period.
- Certain people under Spanish guardianship, care or foster arrangements: The Civil Code specifies the conditions and duration required.
- Spouses of Spanish citizens: At the time of application, the person must have been married to a Spaniard for at least one year and must not be legally or factually separated.
- Widows and widowers of Spanish citizens: The reduction can apply where there was no legal or factual separation when the Spanish spouse died.
- People born outside Spain to a parent or grandparent who was originally Spanish: This family link can reduce the required residence period to one year.
Several of these categories overlap with searches for Spanish citizenship by marriage and Spanish citizenship by descent, but they remain nationality by residence procedures. The family relationship changes the qualifying period rather than automatically producing citizenship.
What are the Spanish citizenship requirements?
Completing the required number of years is only one part of the application. The Ministry of Justice evaluates other conditions before nationality by residence can be granted. We normally recommend reviewing these requirements before reaching the qualifying date so that certificates, examinations and foreign documents can be prepared in advance.
Legal and continuous residence
The residence relied upon must be legal, continuous and immediately prior to the application. This wording comes directly from Article 22 of the Civil Code. Applicants should therefore review residence permits, renewals and any periods during which their legal status may have been interrupted. Travelling outside Spain can also require closer examination where absences have been lengthy or frequent.
There is no benefit in filing prematurely. If the required period has not been completed correctly, the application can be refused even where the applicant has otherwise lived in Spain for many years.
People who have recently moved to Spain should first ensure that their immigration status is correct. A Spanish residence permit may therefore be the first relevant step long before nationality becomes available.
Good civic conduct and integration
The Civil Code requires applicants to demonstrate good civic conduct and a sufficient degree of integration into Spanish society. Criminal records are particularly important, but the assessment is not necessarily limited to whether a certificate shows a conviction. The overall circumstances of the applicant can be relevant.
Past criminal proceedings, police records or legal incidents should therefore be analysed before submission rather than discovered after the administration raises an objection.
Integration is also reflected through the examinations used in the nationality procedure. Meeting the formal residence period without satisfying the integration requirements is not enough.
The CCSE and DELE citizenship tests
Applicants for nationality by residence generally need to demonstrate knowledge of Spanish constitutional and sociocultural matters through the CCSE examination. The test is administered by Instituto Cervantes and consists of 25 questions with a maximum duration of 45 minutes.
A DELE diploma at level A2 or above is also generally required to demonstrate sufficient knowledge of Spanish. Nationals of Spanish-speaking countries or territories of origin are exempt from the DELE requirement, together with certain other categories recognised by the regulations.
Exemptions and dispensations should not be assumed. Depending on the applicant, they may need to be formally requested or demonstrated through recognised qualifications.
Applicants searching for the Spanish citizenship test should therefore distinguish between the CCSE test and the DELE language requirement. They serve different purposes and have different exemptions.
Documents required for the application
The exact file varies according to nationality, family circumstances and route, but several categories of evidence appear regularly. Before filing, we normally check documents relating to:
- Identity: Valid passport and identification details must correspond throughout the application.
- Residence: The administration must be able to verify the legal residence period being relied upon.
- Birth: A birth certificate from the country of origin is commonly required and may need legalisation or apostille.
- Criminal history: Certificates from relevant jurisdictions may be required and must meet current validity and formal requirements.
- Civil status: Marriage, divorce, widowhood or family relationship documents become particularly important where a reduced residence period is claimed.
- Integration: CCSE and DELE results are required where the applicant is not exempt.
- Payment: Nationality by residence applications are subject to the corresponding administrative fee using Form 790 code 026.
- Foreign documents frequently need an apostille or other legalisation and, where applicable, a sworn translation into Spanish. Their validity period should also be checked before submission.
Preparing documents too early can therefore be as problematic as leaving them until the last moment.
Spanish citizenship by descent in 2026
Searches for Spanish citizenship by descent have grown significantly, particularly among descendants of Spaniards living in Latin America, the United States and the Philippines. Current information needs to be distinguished carefully from articles written during the period in which the Democratic Memory Law offered temporary nationality options.
Children of Spanish parents and the right of option
A person born to a Spanish father or mother can be Spanish of origin under Article 17, depending on the circumstances. Spanish law also provides a right of option for people whose father or mother was originally Spanish and born in Spain.
These are established provisions of the Civil Code and should not be confused with the temporary nationality route created by the Democratic Memory Law. People investigating ancestry should begin by obtaining Spanish birth certificates for the relevant parent or grandparent and determining their nationality status at each generation.
Spanish grandparents and the end of the Democratic Memory Law deadline
The Democratic Memory Law created a temporary option for several categories of descendants, including certain people born outside Spain to Spanish parents or grandparents. That application window closed on 22 October 2025. Spanish consulates confirm that new appointment requests under this route are no longer accepted after the deadline, although applications properly initiated within the permitted period may still be processed.
This is particularly important in 2026 because many older web pages still describe the route as if applications remain open.
Having a Spanish grandparent can still be legally relevant. Article 22 provides a one-year residence period for people born outside Spain to a father, mother, grandfather or grandmother who was originally Spanish.
The correct solution therefore depends on the family history. A grandchild who cannot now file a new Democratic Memory Law application may still have another route, but this should be assessed individually.
How to apply for Spanish citizenship
Once eligibility has been confirmed, the procedure is largely administrative and can be handled electronically. We recommend treating the application as a complete legal file rather than simply completing an online form.
Prepare the documents and examinations
The first stage should be to determine the qualifying date and prepare a personalised checklist. Certificates issued abroad can require considerable time to obtain, legalise and translate. CCSE or DELE examinations may also need to be completed before the application is ready.
The information across the documents must be consistent. Differences in names, dates, marital status or nationality can delay processing or trigger requests for clarification.
An applicant using the reduced period based on marriage, ancestry or nationality should include the documentation proving that entitlement rather than assuming the administration will infer it.
Submit the application online
The Ministry of Justice provides electronic processing for Spanish nationality by residence. The applicant or an authorised representative can submit the application and upload the supporting documents through the electronic headquarters.
Electronic presentation makes it possible to preserve proof of filing and subsequently provide further documents when necessary.
Applicants should retain copies of everything submitted. The digital file should correspond exactly with the documentation on which the legal argument is based.
Using a lawyer as representative can simplify communications with the administration and help ensure that any subsequent request is dealt with within the appropriate timeframe.
What happens after submission?
Once filed, the authorities review the application and may obtain information from other public bodies or request further documents from the applicant.
A request for correction or additional information should never be ignored. Under the nationality procedure, failure to remedy certain deficiencies within the required period can result in the applicant being treated as having abandoned the application.
The regulation establishes a maximum period of one year for the administration to resolve and notify nationality by residence proceedings. If no express decision has been issued within that period, the application is legally considered rejected by administrative silence, although the practical handling of pending files and possible legal action require case-specific assessment.
For this reason, the question of how long Spanish citizenship takes has no single practical answer. The statutory period should be distinguished from the actual time taken by an individual file.
The oath and registration in the Civil Registry
Approval is not the final administrative step. The acquisition must subsequently be completed through the required declarations and registration.
Following a grant of nationality by residence, the relevant requirements must generally be completed within 180 days. These include the oath or promise of loyalty to the King and obedience to the Constitution and laws, any required declaration concerning the previous nationality and registration in the Spanish Civil Registry.
Once nationality has been duly registered, the person can proceed with obtaining Spanish identity documentation.
Missing the post-approval requirements can therefore create a serious problem even after a favourable resolution has been received.
Can you have dual citizenship in Spain?
The rules depend both on Spanish legislation and on the nationality the applicant already holds.
Nationalities that benefit from special rules
The Civil Code exempts certain applicants from the requirement to declare renunciation of their previous nationality when acquiring Spanish nationality. These include nationals of Ibero-American countries, Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea and Portugal, together with Sephardim in the circumstances established by law.
Spain also has a bilateral nationality agreement with France that has allowed Spanish and French citizens to acquire the other nationality while retaining their previous nationality since 1 April 2022.
The rules of the other country must also be considered. Dual citizenship is the result of how both legal systems treat the acquisition, retention and use of nationality. An applicant should therefore examine both sides before making assumptions based purely on Spanish rules.
British, American and other applicants
British and US nationals do not fall within the standard Civil Code list of countries exempted from the declaration of renunciation when acquiring Spanish nationality by residence.
This does not mean that every nationality automatically disappears as a matter of the other country’s law. The declaration required in the Spanish procedure and the legal effect recognised by the applicant’s country of origin are separate questions.
This distinction explains why searches such as Spanish dual citizenship UK and Spanish dual citizenship US often produce apparently contradictory answers. Anyone for whom retaining their original citizenship is important should obtain advice concerning both jurisdictions before completing the nationality process.
What are the benefits of Spanish citizenship?
Acquiring Spanish nationality changes a person’s legal relationship with Spain. Instead of remaining a foreign resident whose right to stay depends on an immigration status, the individual becomes a full Spanish citizen and also acquires the rights associated with European Union citizenship. The main benefits include:
- A Spanish passport and DNI: Spanish citizens can obtain national identity documents and a Spanish passport, which simplifies identification, travel and many administrative procedures within Spain and abroad.
- No need to renew a residence permit: Citizenship removes the need to maintain or renew an immigration status in order to continue living in Spain, offering greater long-term legal stability.
- Full political rights in Spain: Spanish citizens can participate in national, regional and local elections, provided they meet the applicable voting requirements.
- Freedom to move and reside within the European Union: Spanish nationality also grants EU citizenship, allowing the holder to live, work and move across other EU Member States under the conditions established by European law.
- Voting rights in other EU countries: Spanish citizens residing in another EU Member State may vote in European Parliament and municipal elections in their country of residence, subject to the relevant rules.
- Consular protection within the EU: When travelling or living in a country where Spain has no diplomatic representation, a Spanish citizen may be able to seek assistance from the embassy or consulate of another EU Member State.
For many long-term residents, these advantages make citizenship more attractive than remaining a permanent resident. The decision should still be considered carefully where retaining the applicant’s original nationality is important, as dual nationality rules vary depending on the country involved.
Common problems when applying for Spanish citizenship
Many refusals or delays do not result from one dramatic mistake. A legal review before submission can often identify these issues while there is still time to correct them.
Incorrectly calculating the residence period
The most basic error is counting physical presence instead of qualifying legal residence. A person may have lived in Spain for several years before obtaining the immigration status from which their relevant residence period is calculated.
The reduced periods also have precise eligibility criteria. Being from a Spanish-speaking country does not automatically mean the two-year rule applies if the nationality concerned is not one of those covered by Article 22. The same applies to marriage. Being married to a Spaniard does not remove the residence requirement.
Problems with criminal records or civic conduct
Applicants sometimes assume that an old incident is irrelevant because a sentence has been completed or because no imprisonment occurred. Spanish nationality by residence requires good civic conduct, making criminal and administrative history an area that deserves attention before filing.
Where a previous conviction exists, it may be necessary to determine whether records can or should be cancelled and whether the circumstances could affect the nationality application. Submitting first and investigating afterwards can make the procedure considerably more difficult.
Inconsistent, expired or incorrectly legalised documents
Birth certificates, criminal records and civil status documents issued abroad can be subject to formal validity requirements. An apostille, consular legalisation or sworn translation may be needed depending on the issuing country and document.
Names are another frequent source of difficulties. Differences caused by married surnames, transliteration or different naming conventions should be addressed coherently. The complete file should be reviewed as one set of evidence rather than as individual documents collected independently.
Assuming marriage or ancestry automatically grants citizenship
Two of the most attractive online searches are Spanish citizenship by marriage and Spanish citizenship by descent. Neither phrase should be interpreted as meaning that marriage certificates or a Spanish grandparent automatically produce nationality.
Marriage normally affects the qualifying residence period. Descent may produce nationality of origin, a right of option, a reduced residence period or no current direct route at all, depending on the exact family history.
How Pellicer & Heredia can help with your Spanish citizenship application
Spanish nationality applications require more than completing a form. The firm’s immigration management service can analyse whether you qualify, calculate the applicable residence period, review family links and nationality rules, check supporting documents and prepare the application before it is submitted.
Professional assistance can be particularly useful where the case involves Spanish ancestry, marriage, reduced residence periods, previous criminal records, lengthy absences from Spain or questions concerning dual nationality.
If you are unsure whether you already meet the conditions, you can arrange an online consultation with an immigration lawyer before beginning the process. This allows the nationality strategy and documentation to be reviewed before an avoidable error becomes part of the official file.
FAQs about about getting the Spanish citizenship
Can you buy Spanish citizenship?
No. Spain does not operate a citizenship-by-investment programme through which nationality can simply be purchased. Investment and nationality are separate legal concepts. Acquiring assets in Spain does not remove the residence, integration or other nationality requirements.
A person investing in Spain should first determine which immigration status is available and then consider nationality only when the relevant legal conditions have subsequently been met.
Can you obtain citizenship by buying property in Spain?
Purchasing a house or apartment does not give the owner Spanish citizenship and does not reduce the nationality residence period. Property ownership can exist completely independently of Spanish residence. A foreign non-resident can own a property without establishing legal residence in the country.
For nationality by residence, the applicant must meet the legal residence requirement contained in the Civil Code rather than demonstrate property ownership.
Can Filipinos obtain Spanish citizenship after two years?
Filipino nationals of origin fall within the group for whom two years of qualifying residence can be sufficient under Article 22 of the Civil Code. The applicant must still demonstrate that the residence was legal, continuous and immediately prior to the application and satisfy the remaining nationality requirements.
Filipino ancestry can also raise separate questions concerning Spanish parents or grandparents, particularly given Spain’s historic relationship with the Philippines. Those cases should be distinguished from the general two-year residence rule.
Can you apply for Spanish citizenship online?
Yes. The Ministry of Justice provides an electronic procedure for applications for nationality by residence. An applicant can submit personally or through an authorised representative.
Supporting documents are uploaded digitally, which makes correct scanning, organisation and identification of the evidence important. Electronic filing also facilitates subsequent monitoring of the application.
How long does a Spanish citizenship application take?
The regulation states that nationality by residence proceedings should be resolved and notified within a maximum of one year from receipt of the application by the competent authority. Actual processing times can vary according to the application, documentation, administrative workload and whether additional evidence is requested.
Applicants should therefore be cautious with websites promising approval within a specific number of months. A delayed application can also require a different legal strategy once the statutory period has passed.
Related Videos
