Spanish citizenship by residence
The most common route for foreign nationals: anyone who has resided in Spain lawfully and continuously for the required period can acquire citizenship through a naturalisation process. As a general rule, 10 years of lawful, continuous residence immediately before the application are required, a period that is considerably shorter in certain cases, such as coming from a country with an agreement with Spain or being the spouse or descendant of a Spanish citizen.
- Never renew the NIE or the residence permit again.
- Enter and leave Spain freely and live abroad without losing rights.
- Live and work as an EU citizen in any European Union country.
- Reunite with family members as an EU citizen and pass citizenship on to minor descendants.
- Lawful, continuous and uninterrupted residence in Spain for the period that applies to the specific case.
- Good conduct and no criminal record in the country of origin or in Spain.
- A residence permit in force and properly renewed, with all documentation in force.
- Integration into Spanish society: language and sociocultural, constitutional and economic knowledge of Spain.
GRAS International Mobility accompanies you throughout the procedure so that the file is submitted correctly, avoiding the common mistakes that delay or damage the decision.
What is included
- Advice throughout the process on the documentation and the steps to follow.
- Review of the documentation and guidance on obtaining it correctly.
- Handling of the administrative fee.
- Help with registration for the required official examinations.
- Coordination with notaries and sworn translators where necessary.
- Filing of the application and follow-up of the case.
- Completion of forms and written submissions throughout the procedure.
- Replies to requests for further information, if any.
- Obtaining the appointment for the citizenship oath.
What is not included
- The official examination fees.
- Notary costs.
- Sworn translators' fees, where applicable.
The general rule is 10 years of residence before the application; the period is shorter in some cases:
- Five years, with refugee status.
- Two years, for nationals of Ibero-American countries, Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea or Portugal and for people of Sephardic origin.
- One year, for those born on Spanish territory, those who did not properly exercise their right to citizenship by option, the descendants of Spanish citizens and people married to Spanish citizens.
Anyone aged 18 or over or emancipated; minors and people whose legal capacity has been modified by a court, through a legal representative in accordance with Spanish law. It can be filed in person or through a specialist in immigration and citizenship.
At least one examination must be passed and, depending on the country of origin, two: the DELE, which certifies knowledge of Spanish (nationals of Spanish-speaking countries are exempt), and the CCSE, on constitutional and sociocultural knowledge of Spain, which applies to everyone. A pass is an essential requirement.
- Application form.
- Birth certificate from the country of origin, legalised and up to date where applicable.
- Passport in force.
- Up-to-date municipal registration certificate.
- Certificate of no criminal record from the country of origin, legalised and translated where applicable.
- Residence card in force.
- Pass certificate for the DELE examination, where applicable, and for the CCSE.
- Proof of the specific ground if the residence period is reduced.
- The applicable fees.
Most of the time it is approved, but it can be refused for failing to meet a requirement or for missing documentation. A refusal can be challenged with an optional appeal for reconsideration and, if that fails, with judicial review before the courts.
Let’s discuss your case.
Tell us where you are and what you want to achieve. We will start by understanding which route makes sense for you.
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