Citizenship in Spain

Written by Luis Minvielle Moderated by Oleksandra Dosii

Luis Minvielle

Luis is a writer with over 5 years of experience in B2B software. Even though he has always worked in tech, a sector he regularly publishes about, his initial incursions into writing were, curiously enough, music essays discussing scenes from different parts of the world—most likely to deal with his unfulfilled ambition of becoming a neo-soul crooner.

Oleksandra Dosii

Oleksandra is a dedicated marketer with a passion for growing HR-tech products. She believes content marketing is about delivering high-quality content that provides value—not just generating leads. Since 2016, Oleksandra has been involved in tech talent relocation.

Last update: September 20, 2024

Next update: Scheduled for February 1, 2025

Once you live in Spain for 10 years legally, you become eligible to obtain citizenship, which is interchangeable with a passport or a nationality. This article outlines everything you need to know if you are thinking of getting Spanish citizenship–nationality.

What is the difference between citizenship, nationality, and passport in Spain?

There is no difference between those terms. Citizenship, nationality, and passport are used interchangeably in Spain. If you have either of the three, you can live and work in Spain and Europe as a European national.

How long does it take to get the Spanish citizenship once you apply?

Once you fulfil your 10 years, you don’t obtain the nationality automatically. You need to apply for it. There’s no exact timeframe for them to grant it. Testimonials show it takes between six months and one year, and that smaller towns tend to have better times because they have less demand. This is far quicker than if you ask for citizenship in an international consulate, where it could take three years. On the upside, you’ve already endured 10 years, so it’s just an extra inch of waiting time.

Exclusive benefits of Spanish citizenship

Applying for Spanish nationality is not the only legal path to working in Spain. A temporary or permanent residence permit or EU/EEA/Swiss citizenship allows you to work just fine, and, if you’re an expat looking to relocate to Spain for work, it could be the best way to do it. That being said, there are unique benefits granted to those holding a Spanish citizenship.

Spanish citizenship allows you to reside and work in Spanish territory, as well as in any other member country of the European Union, EEA and Switzerland. There are no limits to the amount of time spent within the EU, or no limits for how much time you spend out of it. So this means you can move from Madrid to Berlin, Vienna, or Lyon and seek employment there without any restrictions. On top of this, Spanish nationals are allowed to participate in electoral processes, also as a candidate for a position of public responsibility.

Holding Spanish citizenship and passport earned a joint top spot in the World Economic Forum’s Travel & Tourism Development Index, with citizens of those countries able to visit 194 out of 227 countries visa-free, or by obtaining a visa on arrival.

Does Spain allow dual citizenship?

Unless you are from an Ibero-American country, Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea, Portugal, from the Sephardic-Jewish community, or a Spanish descendant, you will have to formally renounce your previous nationality before the Civil Registry. Haiti, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana are not considered Ibero-American, but Puerto Rico is.

What are the ways to get Spanish citizenship?

There are four different ways to acquire Spanish citizenship, and some of them are easier to obtain if you move to Spain with a job.

By residence

To obtain Spanish nationality, a person is normally required to have resided in Spain legally and continuously for ten years before applying. Still, certain groups of foreign nationals have shorter waiting times. For example, former colonies only have a two-year wait once they have permanent residence. The best way to go down this path is with a job offer that allows you to move to Spain, work there, and become a permanent resident before you become a citizen.

Nationality by Letter of Naturalisation

This form of Nationality Acquisition is not subject to the General Rules of Administrative Procedure. The Government's discretion will be exercised by Royal Decree, based on the consideration of exceptional circumstances. It’s called the "fast lane" to nationality, but few people get it. Recently, some athletes got it.

Nationality for Spaniards of origin

Those born to a Spanish mother or father, or those born in Spain to foreign parents, provided that at least one parent was also born in Spain (excluding children of diplomats) are considered Spanish by origin and can apply.

Nationality by possession of State

Anyone who has held and used this nationality continuously for ten years in good faith, without knowing that they are not actually Spanish, based on a title registered in the Civil Registry, is entitled to Spanish nationality. Expert lawyers say this path is rarely, if not ever, requested by expats.

Nationality by option

This right is available to those who are or have been under the parental authority of a Spaniard, This includes those who have been adopted by a Spaniard before the age of 18. In addition, if the parent is a native Spaniard and was born in Spain, his or her children are eligible for Spanish nationality, even if they were born abroad.

When can you apply for Spanish citizenship?

Generally, to apply for Spanish nationality by residence, one must have lived in Spain for at least 10 years. However, there are exceptions: 5 years for refugees and 2 years for nationals of Ibero-American countries, Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea, Portugal, or for Sephardic Jews. If you are married to a Spaniard or are the child of a Spanish parent, the residence requirement is reduced to 1 year.

What documents are required?

The documents required to follow through with the application are:

• Completed application form. However, if you decide to apply electronically, it is not mandatory, as you will be able to provide all the information online on the platform.
• Full passport and Foreigner's Identity Number (NIE).
• Foreigner’s Identity Card (TIE), Residence Card of a family member of an EU citizen or Certificate of Registration of an EU citizen.
• Criminal record certificate from your country of origin, duly legalised and translated if necessary.
• Criminal record certificate from the Spanish Central Register of Convicts.
• Birth certificate, duly legalised and, if necessary, translated.
• Proof of payment of the fee, which is at €104.05.
• Certificate of census registration.
• Diplomas from the Instituto Cervantes: CCSE and DELE. (You need to know Spanish to pass these).

The documents required depend on each applicant's case. Extra documents might prove helpful, like courses or qualifications acquired in Spain, registration as a common-law partner with a Spaniard, property deeds, or a Spanish driving licence. Documents should be translated by a sworn translator authorised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation. If you’ve been 10 years in Spain already, chances are you already came across different people who can help you with tiny parts of this process. Ideally, you should count on relocation experts that have worked with people from your nationality before.

How to apply for Spanish citizenship?

You can apply for nationality by residence online through the Electronic Headquarters of the Ministry of Justice. Otherwise, you can apply in person at the registry of the Ministry of Justice, at the Delegations or Subdelegations of the Government or at the Civil Registry.

What is the Spanish citizenship test?

There are two exams you are required to pass to prove that you have a sufficient level of integration into Spanish society. Both are regulated by the Cervantes Institute. The first exam, the CCSE, will evaluate your knowledge of the Spanish Constitution and the social and cultural reality of Spain. Registration and payment (€85 as of 2024) must be made online. The CCSE test can be taken at examination centres recognised by the Cervantes Institute.

To apply for Spanish nationality by residence, you need to show a minimum of A2 level in Spanish, through the DELE exam or equivalent certifications. Nationals from a country where Spanish is the official language are exempt from this exam. The Cervantes Institute offers preparation courses according to your current fluency level (€50 as of 2024). For 2024, adult exam fees are as follows:

Can your family members get Spanish citizenship?

Foreigners married to a Spanish national may apply for Spanish nationality by marriage after one year of legal residence in Spain. The residence must be legal, continuous, and immediately prior to the application, which must be presented at the Civil Registry of their address in Spain.

Children of naturalised Spanish nationals are also entitled to obtain it as long as they were minors at the time citizenship was acquired. They will be able to apply for nationality by option in the following ways:

• If the child is between 18 and 19 years old, they can apply on their own.
• If the child is between 14 and 17 years old, the application must be submitted by the child together with both parents.
• If the child is under 14 years of age, the application must be submitted by both parents.

What are Spanish citizenship fees?

The fee is determined by the Fee Model 790 Code 012 which, as of August 2024, is €104.05.

What if your application is rejected?

Your application for Spanish nationality can be rejected for various reasons, such as submitting your application early or having a criminal or police record, or even having a poor translation. If your application is rejected, you can file an administrative appeal, known as an appeal for reconsideration, which is filed with the Ministry of Justice and usually takes a long time. You can also file a contentious administrative appeal with the National Audience, for which you’ll have to call a lawyer up.

Talk to an immigration expert

The first big step towards getting your Spanish citizenship is moving to Spain. And the best way to do that is to find a job and an employer willing to help you through the process.

Relocate.me has, for years, linked companies with jobseekers willing to relocate internationally. And that might just be precisely what you were looking for if you hope to work in Spain. Also, you might want to become a citizen one day, and Relocate.me can connect you with immigration consultants who can guide you on the best options for you. Get in touch with us now, and we’ll introduce you to experts who can advise on your ideal visa, permanent residence, or citizenship path.

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