Spanish citizenship is the legal status that gives you right to live in Spain indefinitely as well as vote in national and EU elections. Spanish citizens can get a Spanish passport that allows them to live, work, and study within the European Union. The most common way to become a Spanish citizen for foreigners is through naturalization, which ordinarily requires ten years of legal, continuous residence in Spain.
However, this period is reduced to two years for nationals of Ibero-American countries and, in some cases, to one year for spouses or children of Spanish citizens. Applicants also need to pass the DELE Spanish language exam (A2) and the CCSE culture test, have a clean criminal record, and, in many cases, renounce their previous nationality.
There are other routes to Spanish citizenship, including descent, marriage, and an option for certain eligible persons with Spanish ancestry. Each pathway has its own requirements, documentation rules, and timelines. Our article explains Spanish citizenship, from the benefits of a Spanish passport and the different routes available to the eligibility requirements and the application process.
Spanish Citizenship: Key Takeaways
Top 7 Benefits of Getting Spanish Citizenship
- EU Rights: You gain the right to live, work, study, or retire in any of the 27 EU member states. You can also access Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein, without needing a visa or work permit.
- Travel Power: The Spanish passport remains one of the world’s strongest, ranking 17th on the Global Citizen Solutions Passport Index, providing visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 184 countries, including the United States and Canada.
- Voting: You gain full political rights, such as the right to vote and run for office in Spanish elections, as well as European Parliamentary elections.
- Universal Healthcare: You have guaranteed, permanent access to the Spanish National Health System (SNS), which is considered among the best in the world for its quality and accessibility.
- Affordable Education: Citizens qualify for much lower tuition fees at Spanish and other EU universities, as well as potential access to state scholarships.
- Permanent Status: Unlike residency, citizenship is permanent and cannot be lost over long absences from the country or changes in financial status.
- EU Protection: If you are in a country without a Spanish embassy, you are entitled to protection and assistance from any other EU member state’s consulate.
How to Get Spanish Citizenship: 4 Different Methods
| Route | Residence required | Exams needed | Who it fits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Naturalization | Usually 10 years; 5 years for refugees; 2 years for certain nationalities; 1 year for spouses of Spanish citizens | Usually DELE A2 and CCSE, with exemptions in some cases | Foreign residents who qualify through legal residence in Spain |
| Marriage | 1 year of legal residence in Spain while married to a Spanish citizen | DELE A2 and CCSE | Foreign spouses of Spanish citizens |
| Descent | No residence requirement in many cases | Often no exams for the standard descent route; depends on the legal basis | People with a Spanish parent, and sometimes a grandparent or other qualifying ancestry under specific laws |
| Option | Often no standard residence period | Case-specific; may not require the standard residence exam route | Children of Spanish nationals, adoptees, and others with a qualifying family link |
1. Citizenship by Naturalization
The most common path to gaining Spanish citizenship is through residence. You can qualify for Spanish citizenship by naturalization after living in the country for a set period and showing integration into Spanish society. The residency stays differ for some nationalities, and the standard rule is 10 years.
| Residency duration | Who it’s for |
|---|---|
| 10 years | Most foreign applicants using ordinary residence naturalization |
| 5 years | Refugees |
| 2 years | Nationals of Ibero-American countries, Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea, Portugal, and some Sephardic-origin applicants under the applicable rules |
| 1 year | Certain special cases, such as people born in Spain, spouses of Spanish citizens, widows/widowers of Spanish citizens, and some people born abroad to a Spanish parent |
You can start building your residency stay through programs like the Spain Digital Nomad Visa, the Spanish Non-Lucrative Visa, and other permits, like the Highly Qualified Professional Visa Spain.
2. Citizenship by Marriage
If you are married to a Spanish citizen, you can apply for citizenship by marriage after just one year of legal residence in Spain while married. The marriage needs to be legally recognized in Spain, and applicants must prove the relationship is authentic.
3. Citizenship by Descent (Jus Sanguinis)
Children born to at least one Spanish parent automatically qualify for Spanish citizenship by descent, even if born abroad. This also applies to children adopted by Spanish citizens. This route ensures that Spanish nationality is passed directly to the next generation. Importantly, the Democratic Memory Law (ley de nietos) route closed to new applications on 22 October 2025.
4. Citizenship by Option
The path allows specific individuals to apply for Spanish citizenship. They include:
- People who are and have been under the parental authority of a Spanish citizen.
- People who have both a Spanish mother and father
- People whose filiation of birth, meaning, the identification of parents, or place of birth was determined after they were 18. This is when the two-year deadline begins, and the applicant must register their citizenship.
For most, this option expires when the applicant turns 20, unless they qualify through a parent who was born in Spain.
Spanish Citizenship Requirements 2026
These are the general requirements to qualify for Spanish citizenship according to the Spanish Civil Code. Additionally, each path will have its own specific requirements:
- Have legal and continuous residence in Spain for the required period without large gaps that exceed six months.
- Meet the time requirement, which depends on your circumstances:
- 10 years for most foreigners
- 5 years for refugees
- 2 years for citizens of specific countries (Ibero-American countries, Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea, Portugal, and Sephardic Jewish people).
- 1 year in special cases, such as spouses of Spanish citizens, people born in Spain, or those with other qualifying ties.
- For citizenship by option, you must exercise your right to citizenship before you reach the age of 20.
- Demonstrate good civic conduct with no criminal record in Spain or your home country.
- Pass the CCSE exam about Spanish constitutional and socio-cultural knowledge administered by the Instituto Cervantes, and the DELE A2 Spanish language exam. A DELE A2 exemption applies only to nationals of countries where Spanish is an official language and the CCSE is required for all adult applicants irrespective of origin.
Important document checklist
All foreign documents must be legalized and translated by a certified, sworn Spanish translator:
- Birth certificates for you and the relevant ancestor
- Valid Passport
- A criminal record certificate that was issued within 3 to 6 months of your application date
- Marriage certificate if applying through a spouse or to prove lineage
- Receipt of the €104.50 (~$120) application fee payment
What is the difference between permanent residency and Spanish citizenship?
The primary difference between permanent residency and Spanish citizenship is the legal status and the extent of your rights within Spain as well as the European Union. Spanish permanent residency allows you to live and work in Spain indefinitely after five years of legal residence, but you remain a foreign national, risk losing your status if you stay outside the EU for more than 12 consecutive months, and you keep your current passport.
In contrast, citizenship provides you with a Spanish passport, the right to vote in all national elections, and you have the freedom to live, work, or retire in any of the EU member states. Spanish citizenship is a permanent legal status that can only be revoked under exceptional circumstances, but it requires you to renounce your original nationality.
Citizens of Ibero-American countries, Andorra, Portugal, the Philippines, France, Equatorial Guinea, and Sephardic Jews of Spanish origin do not need to give up their original citizenship and can acquire Spanish dual citizenship.
How to Apply for Spanish Citizenship: Step-by-Step Guide
The following is a step-by-step guide on how to apply for Spanish citizenship in 2026:
- Step 1 – Preparation and exams: Before applying, you need to prove integration and pass DELE A2, the Spanish language exam, and CCSE, the cultural and constitutional knowledge exam. Make sure to also have your birth certificate and criminal record from your home country. These must be legalized and translated by a certified Spanish translator.
- Step 2 – Digital submission: Most applications are now filed through the Ministry of Justice Electronic Office. You will need a Digital Certificate or Cl@ve to access the portal. Submit your documents and use the form 790-026 to pay the administrative fee of €104.50.
- Step 3 – Await approval: Once you have submitted, you can track your status via the Cómo va lo mío portal. The Ministry has a legal maximum of 12 months to resolve cases; however, expect 12 to 24 months total in practice.
- Step 4 – Take the oath: Once your application is approved, you have 180 days to swear allegiance to the King and the Constitution at your local Civil Registry or before a Notary.
- Step 5 – Register your citizenship: The final step is to register your citizenship in the Spanish Civil Registry to receive your DNI (ID card) and passport.
How much does Spanish Citizenship cost?
- Application Fee (Tasa 790-026): €104.50 (~$120); this is mandatory and non-refundable.
- CCSE Exam (Culture): €85 (~$97), which includes two attempts.
- DELE A2 Exam (Language): €135 to €140 (~$155 to ~$160).
- Sworn Translations: Costs vary by provider and language, typically tens of euros per document. You should confirm this with a sworn translator accredited by the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. You will likely need at least two birth certificates and a criminal Record.
- Apostilles: Fees depend on the issuing country, and you should check with the competent authority where the document was issued
- Notary fee (Optional): The notary option will likely involve an additional fee, and it is best to confirm the current cost with the notary. If you choose to take the final Oath of Allegiance at a notary to speed up the process, you do not need to wait for a free appointment at the Civil Registry.
Does Spain allow dual citizenship?
Spain allows dual citizenship, but only in certain circumstances. In most cases, foreigners who apply for Spanish citizenship are required to formally renounce their previous passport. However, Spain makes exceptions for citizens of Ibero-American countries (Puerto Rico included by established administrative practice), Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea, Portugal, people of Sephardic origin, and France under the bilateral convention signed 15 Mar 2021. Nationals of these countries can keep their original nationality upon acquiring Spanish dual citizenship.
How Can Global Citizen Solutions Help You?
Global Citizen Solutions is an advisory migration consultancy firm with years of experience delivering bespoke residence and citizenship by investment solutions for international families. With offices worldwide and an experienced, hands-on team, we have helped hundreds of clients worldwide acquire citizenship, residence visas, or homes while diversifying their portfolios with robust investments.
We guide you from start to finish, taking you beyond your citizenship or residency by investment application.
