Citizenship Spain: How To Become A Spanish National
Expat Tips
Published: 07 April 2022 20:33 CET
Updated: 02 May 2025 20:33 CET
Citizenship Spain: How To Become A Spanish National (2025 Update)
Already living in Spain and wondering whether it’s time to take the next step and apply for citizenship? Whether you've been here for years, are married to a Spaniard, or have Spanish ancestry, becoming a Spanish national opens up a host of legal and practical benefits.
In this updated 2025 guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about how to get Spanish citizenship — including the different legal paths, eligibility requirements, the cultural and language tests, dual nationality rules, and what documentation you’ll need to apply.
In this guide:
- What citizenship and naturalisation mean in Spain
- Benefits of becoming a Spanish national
- Key differences between residency and citizenship
- Pathways: residency, marriage, descent, option, and more
- Civic requirements (e.g., no criminal record)
- Language and cultural tests (CCSE + DELE)
- Required documents
- How and where to apply
- Dual nationality rules
Let’s start with the basics.
What Is Spanish Citizenship?
Spanish citizenship (or nationality) grants a person full legal rights in Spain — including the right to live, work, vote, and travel freely across the EU. Once granted, you’ll be issued a Spanish DNI card and can apply for a Spanish passport. You’ll also be treated as a full citizen under Spanish and EU law.
The main route for most expats is citizenship by residency, but there are also legal paths through marriage, ancestry, or parental citizenship. In legal terms, the process is referred to as naturalisation — becoming a citizen by meeting legal requirements over time.
How Is Citizenship Different from Residency?
<strongResidency (NIE/TIE) gives you the right to live in Spain under certain conditions (e.g., retirement, work, study). But you cannot vote in national elections, hold an EU passport, or enjoy full mobility and legal benefits across the EU.
<strongCitizenship gives you all of those rights, indefinitely — even if you later leave Spain or your residency status lapses.
Benefits of Becoming a Spanish Citizen
- Permanent legal status — You no longer need to renew residency cards
- EU freedom of movement — Live and work anywhere in the EU
- The right to vote — In Spanish, regional and European elections
- Simplified admin — Easier dealings with banks, utilities, and government offices
- EU passport — Ranked among the world’s most powerful for travel
For families, children born to Spanish nationals typically inherit citizenship, making life in Spain easier for future generations.
Main Routes to Citizenship in Spain
Spain’s Civil Code recognises multiple legal paths to citizenship. Each has different timeframes and documentation requirements.
1. Citizenship by Residency
This is the most common route for non-Spaniards. You must legally reside in Spain for a continuous period to qualify. The standard timeframe is:
- 10 years — Default for most third-country nationals
- 5 years — If you are a recognised refugee in Spain
- 2 years — For nationals of Ibero-American countries, Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea, Portugal, or people of Sephardic Jewish origin
- 1 year — If you’re married to a Spanish citizen (and living together for 1 year in Spain)
- You must have legal, continuous residency (not interrupted)
- You must show proof of integration (see tests below)
- You must have no serious criminal history
2. Citizenship by Marriage
If you are married to a Spanish citizen, you may apply after 1 year of continuous legal residence in Spain. You must live together during that year and the marriage must be officially registered in Spain (if married abroad, it must be recognised by the Spanish Civil Registry).
<strongNote: Civil partners (Pareja de Hecho) do not currently qualify under this route.
3. Citizenship by Descent (Ancestry)
If you are the child or grandchild of a Spanish citizen, you may be eligible under Spain’s “Law of Democratic Memory” (also called the “Grandchildren Law”). This allows descendants of Spanish nationals — including those who lost nationality due to exile or emigration — to apply.
- Grandchildren of Spanish women who married non-Spaniards before 1978
- Children of people who acquired citizenship via the Historical Memory Law
- Grandchildren of Spaniards who left and obtained foreign nationality before having children
This route has become more widely used since the 2022 reforms and is especially popular among Latin Americans with Spanish ancestry.
4. Citizenship by Option
This path applies to children under 18 whose parents have acquired Spanish nationality. They must apply within two years of turning 18 (i.e., by age 20).
5. Citizenship by Birth
If you were born in Spain to foreign parents and meet certain legal conditions (e.g., your parents were also born in Spain or you were stateless), you may qualify automatically at birth or via simplified procedures.
Civic Behaviour Requirement
Spanish authorities require that applicants for citizenship be of “good civic conduct.” This means:
- No serious criminal record (Spain or home country)
- No recent tax violations, immigration breaches, or administrative penalties
- Minor traffic fines typically do not disqualify you — but repeat offences, failure to renew your TIE, or missed padron updates may harm your case
Background checks are performed using criminal certificates from both your country of origin and Spain. These must be less than 90 days old and officially translated if not in Spanish.
Spanish Citizenship Exams (CCSE + DELE)
All applicants must prove they are integrated into Spanish life — and the most common way to do that is by passing two official exams:
1. DELE A2 – Language Test
This is a basic Spanish language exam (level A2). You must pass unless you’re a citizen of a Latin American country, Andorra, the Philippines, or Equatorial Guinea (who are exempt).
More about the DELE A2 exam
2. CCSE – Cultural Knowledge Test
Run by the Instituto Cervantes, this is a 25-question multiple-choice test covering Spanish culture, geography, government, history, and society. The test lasts 45 minutes and is held monthly.
More about the CCSE exam
- CCSE: €85 (first resit is free)
- DELE A2: Varies by country, typically €130–€150
Cervantes reports a pass rate of 95%+ for the CCSE, so don’t panic — there are practice tests available online.
These may vary depending on your citizenship route, but generally include:
- Valid passport and NIE/TIE
- Residency proof and padron certificate
- Birth or marriage certificate (translated + apostilled if foreign)
- Criminal background certificates
- Proof of income or financial means
- CCSE and DELE exam pass certificates
- Payment receipt of application fee (€104.05 in 2025)
All foreign documents must be officially translated into Spanish and legalised (either apostilled or certified via consulate).
You can apply:
To locate your local Civil Registry: Search Civil Registry Offices
1 to 3 years is typical, though many cases take longer depending on region and backlog.
The Oath of Allegiance
Once your citizenship application is approved, you’ll receive a letter summoning you to attend a swearing-in ceremony (Jura de Nacionalidad) at your local Civil Registry. You must attend within 180 days of notification.
At this appointment, you will:
- Swear allegiance to the King and Constitution
- Agree to obey Spanish laws
- Renounce your previous nationality (unless exempt — see below)
Once sworn in, you’ll be officially recognised as a Spanish citizen. You can then apply for your:
- DNI (Documento Nacional de Identidad) – Spain’s national ID card
- Spanish passport – Issued by the Spanish government, valid for travel across the EU and many visa-free destinations worldwide
Dual Citizenship in Spain: Who Can Keep Both Passports?
Spain does not generally allow dual citizenship unless you are from one of the countries with which Spain has a reciprocal agreement. If not, you must legally renounce your prior nationality during the oath process.
Andorra, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, France, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Uruguay, Venezuela
If your country is not on this list (e.g., UK, USA, Germany, Canada), you’ll be required to give up your original nationality — though enforcement and impact may vary in practice.
FAQs About Spanish Citizenship
Q: How long does it take to become a Spanish citizen?
A: From start to finish — including exams, gathering paperwork, and processing time — expect 1.5 to 3 years in most cases.
Q: Do I have to give up my passport?
A: Only if your country doesn’t have a dual nationality agreement with Spain. Citizens of most Latin American countries are exempt.
Q: Do children of Spanish citizens get citizenship automatically?
A: Yes, if born in Spain. Children born abroad can also obtain Spanish nationality via option, descent, or under the Grandchildren Law.
Q: Do I need to take both the DELE and CCSE exams?
A: Yes, unless you’re exempt from the DELE (e.g., Latin American nationals). The CCSE cultural test is mandatory for almost all applicants.
Q: Can I hire a gestor or lawyer to help?
A: Yes — many applicants use a gestor to handle translation, paperwork, and digital submission. This can reduce delays or admin errors.
Need Private Health Insurance to Support Your Application?
If you’re applying via residency, marriage, or descent and are not yet part of the public health system, you may need to prove private health cover during the process.
Sanitas private health plans – all compliant with Spanish consulate requirements, and backed by English-speaking support.
Final Word
Spanish citizenship is a major legal upgrade for anyone who plans to call Spain home. It gives you permanence, freedom across the EU, and all the rights of full Spanish nationals — from voting and working to accessing public services and passing citizenship to your children.
While the process requires patience, paperwork, and exams, it’s an attainable goal with the right guidance. And once approved, it’s the most secure and empowering legal status available to foreign residents in Spain.
