Spanish Citizenship and Naturalisation
How to get Spanish citizenship – find out how to acquire Spanish nationality so that you can get a Spanish passport, and the documents required for the application procedure…
There
are a number of different ways to acquire or claim Spanish citizenship. Below,
we have outlined the main ways that a foreigner can get Spanish nationality. In
general, it is possible to apply for Spanish nationality after ten years of
continuous residence in Spain, although there are exceptions. The applicant
must be able to prove good conduct, that they speak some Spanish, and that they
have integrated into Spanish society.
How to get Spanish Nationality
Nationality through residency – Nacionalidad por residencia
Anyone
over the age of 18, who has been living in Spain for more than ten years on the
date of the application, may apply for Spanish nationality. One of the parents
or a legal guardian must file the application on behalf of minors. There are
exceptions to the ten-year rule as follows:
- Marriage to a
Spanish citizen – an application for Spanish nationality can be filed
after one year of marriage, on the condition that the couple are still
married and living together; for widows/widowers the same one-year rule
applies as long as the couple were still married at the time of the death
- Those born in
Spain, or born outside of Spain to Spanish parents or grandparents – an
application for Spanish nationality can be filed after one year – this
applies to those who did not opt for citizenship within two years after
their 18th birthday
- Citizens of
Spanish-American countries, Andorra, the Philippines, Portugal, Equatorial
Guinea and people of Sephardic origin can apply after two years of
continuous residence
- Refugees can
apply after five years of continuous residence
Documents
required:
Along
with a completed application form, a
number of supporting documents must be provided:
- Passport and
photocopy
- Residency card
- Proof of no
criminal record (proof of no criminal record in previous countries of
residence may also be requested)
- Birth
certificate
- Marriage
certificate, if applicable
- Certificate
of empadronamiento
- Receipt of
payment of the required tax for the application
- Diploma from
the Instituto Cervantes, proving Spanish proficiency (DELE)
- Diploma from
the Instituto Cervantes, proving knowledge of the Spanish constitution and
Spanish culture (CCSE). If the
applicant’s mother tongue is Spanish, this is not required
The
exact documents may vary depending on the person’s situation and their age.
Find further information on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website
An
application’s process can be tracked online by creating a Citizen Folder
Nationality by option – Nacionalidad por opción
Nationality
by option allows a foreign national to acquire or ‘opt’ for Spanish nationality
if any of the following apply:
- They have a
Spanish mother or father who was born in Spain
- They have been
under parental authority of a Spaniard
- They can prove
they have parents that were originally Spanish (and who may have lost
their Spanish citizenship)
- They were
adopted as an adult by a Spanish parent
The
application must be filed within two years after the person’s 18th birthday
The
following documents are generally required:
- Original and
copy of the applicant’s birth certificate
- Original birth
certificate of the Spanish parent(s)
- Proof of
identity of the applicant and the Spanish parent(s)
- Marriage
certificate of the parents or family book of the parents (libro de familia)
- Proof of
address
Two
stamped and self-addressed envelopes or an email address must be provided so
that the applicant can be notified when a decision has been made
Where to Apply for Spanish Nationality
All applications
for Spanish nationality must be filed at the Civil Registry (Registro Civil)
in the place of residence.
The application can
be started online, or in person at the Civil
Registry
All
documents in a language other than Spanish must be translated and legalised; it
is likely that the documents will need an Apostille of the Hague, or that they
are translated by an official translator.
The
procedure to acquire Spanish nationality can take between 18 to 24 months. The Ministry of Justice website can
be consulted to follow the procedure during this time, and to be alerted when a
response is given.
If
the application is successful, the person must swear loyalty to the King and to
obey Spanish laws and the Spanish constitution (unless the applicant is under
14). They must also renounce their other nationality to the Spanish authorities
unless they are from Andorra, the Philippines, Portugal, Equatorial Guinea or a
Spanish-American country. However, in practice, the person generally keeps
their original nationality, as it is not renounced to the authorities in the
original country of citizenship, but this original nationality is not
recognised by Spain.
If Spanish
nationality is not granted (denegado), it
is possible to contest the decision by writing to the Dirección General
de los Registros y del Notariado within one month following the
refusal, or to the Audiencia Nacional en Madrid, within two months.
If there is no reply, the contestation is considered rejected. It is advisable
to get legal advice if contesting the decision.
Further information is available from the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.