Spain dual citizenship is allowed in , but this is predominantly for nationals of Ibero-American countries, Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea, Portugal, and France, as well as for those who acquire it through descent. These nationals can get Spanish dual citizenship without needing to give up their previous passport.
This means people from other countries, such as the US, UK, and Canada, who are interested in obtaining a Spanish passport, must renounce their original passport. Spain has several citizenship routes to choose from, such as naturalization, marriage, descent, and, by option for qualifying applicants.
Our guide will explore everything you need to know about obtaining Spanish dual citizenship, including its advantages, requirements, eligibility criteria, and the detailed application process.
Spain Dual Citizenship: Key Takeaways
Does Spain allow dual citizenship?
Yes, Spain allows dual citizenship, but primarily for individuals from countries with specific historical or cultural connections to Spain. Under Spanish law, citizens of Ibero-American countries, Portugal, Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea, and France can obtain Spanish citizenship without giving up their original passport.
For many other countries, including the US, UK, and Canada, applicants interested in a Spanish passport are technically required to renounce their previous nationality. In most circumstances, the renunciation is simply a formal declaration made to the Spanish authorities.
The renunciation does not require you to go to your home country’s embassy or officially cancel your original passport there. As a result, many people continue to hold and use both passports in practice. However, you should check your own country’s citizenship-loss rules before naturalizing, as some countries do act on it. Inside Spain, you must use your Spanish nationality for all legal matters.
Top 6 Benefits of Spanish Dual Citizenship
- Live and work in the EU: Choosing Spain as your second passport means you can move, live, and work in any of the EU member states, including Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein, without needing a visa or work permit. The Spanish passport is powerful, ranking 17th on our Global Passport Index, and grants visa-free, eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization), and visa-on-arrival access to 184 countries.
- Education: You and your children qualify for lower tuition fees at prestigious European universities, which are significantly lower than international fees.
- Healthcare: As a Spanish passport holder, you gain access to the Spanish National Health System (SNS) and the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) for medical coverage across the EU.
- Voting rights: Unlike having residency alone, citizenship gives you the right to vote in Spanish general and regional elections, as well as European Parliament elections.
- Consular protection: You have the right to diplomatic protection from both Spain and your country of origin while traveling abroad. In countries without a Spanish Embassy, you can ask for help from any EU member state’s consulate.
- Family heritage: Citizenship is an investment that is also easier to pass down to your children, which ensures future generations keep their European status regardless of where they are born.
Countries with Dual Nationality Agreements with Spain
| Category | Countries | Residency Required |
|---|---|---|
| Ibero-American | Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela, Puerto Rico | 2 Years |
| Special Ties | Portugal, Philippines, Andorra, Equatorial Guinea | 2 Years |
| European Union | France (Bilateral agreement effective since 2022) | 10 Years* |
| Historical | Sephardic Jews | 2 Years |
*French nationals keep the standard ten-year residence requirement as the agreement only removes the renunciation requirement.
What Renunciation Actually Means
Renunciation of foreign citizenship is a formal, voluntary declaration you make before Spanish authorities stating that you have given up your previous nationality. In Spain, this process involves signing an official statement of renunciation, before a Spanish civil registry or consular officer, and complying with any documentary or procedural requirements set by the authorities.
Until Spanish authorities accept and register the renunciation, your status in Spain remains governed by Spanish nationality rules. Importantly, a renunciation declared to Spanish authorities does not automatically strip you of US citizenship under US law.
The country treats loss of nationality as a distinct legal act governed by US procedures and intent standards. To formally lose US citizenship, you must meet the US requirements, which include making a formal renunciation before a consular officer, where the act and the individual’s intent are recorded in accordance with US law.
As a result, it is possible for someone to have renounced another nationality in Spain while still retaining US citizenship under US law unless they complete the separate American process.
Once you have renounced your previous nationality before Spanish authorities, and Spain has recorded that renunciation, the country treats you as a Spanish national for all domestic purposes.
That means you are subject to Spanish civil status rules, can exercise rights and fulfill obligations that apply to Spanish citizens, and must use your Spanish nationality in interactions with Spanish public authorities. Practical consequences can include use of Spanish identification, voting rights in Spain, and changes in consular protection expectations abroad.
How to get Spanish dual Citizenship in 2026
| Track | Required residence period | Who qualifies / notes |
|---|---|---|
| Standard naturalization | 10 years | General rule: 10 years of legal, continuous residence |
| Refugee track | 5 years | Recognized refugees with residence counted from recognition |
| 2 year track | 2 years | Nationals of Ibero American countries, Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea, Portugal, and people of Sephardic origin |
| 1 year track | 1 year | People who have been married to (and living with) a Spanish citizen; been born in Spain; legal children of a Spanish national; or other cases under article 22.2 of the Civil Code (e.g., those who can claim special ties). |
1. Citizenship through residency
The most common way to become a Spanish citizen is to live legally in Spain for a certain number of years and demonstrate integration into Spanish society. This is also known as Spanish citizenship by naturalization, and for most foreign nationals, the required period of continuous legal residence is ten years. However, there are shorter exceptions in specific cases:
- Five years for recognized refugees.
- Two years for citizens of Ibero-American countries, as well as nationals of Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea, Portugal, and Sephardic Jews.
2. Citizenship by marriage
Citizenship through marriage is another faster way to get Spanish citizenship. If you are married to a Spanish citizen, you can apply for citizenship after one year of legal residence in Spain, if you are still married and living together. The marriage must be legally registered in Spain, and you must submit proof that the relationship is genuine.
3. Citizenship by descent
Children born to at least one Spanish parent automatically qualify for Spanish citizenship by descent, regardless of where they are born. This also applies to children adopted by Spanish citizens.
4. Citizenship by option
Citizenship by option is a special route available only to particular individuals. It applies to:
- People who were under the parental authority of a Spanish citizen.
- People whose parents or place of birth were legally recognized after they turned 18. In these cases, they have two years to apply.
- Important note: This option must be exercised before the applicant turns 20.
Eligibility Criteria for Dual Citizenship in Spain in 2026
To apply for citizenship by residency, you must have lived in Spain legally and continuously for the required timeframe:
- Ten Years: The standard requirement for most foreign nationals
- Five Years: For those with official refugee status.
- Two Years: For nationals of Ibero-American countries, Portugal, Andorra, the Philippines, and Equatorial Guinea.
- One Year: For those married to a Spaniard, children of Spaniards, or those born on Spanish soil.
Additionally, you must meet the following requirements:
- No criminal history in Spain or your home country for the last five years.
- You must pass the CCSE on culture and laws exam, and the DELE A2 language exam. People from Spanish-speaking countries do not need to take the language test.
- Prolonged absences can break the required continuity of residence, and the courts assess this case by case, so keep absences short and documented. Seek advice for your situation should the need arise.
Required Documents for Spanish Dual Citizenship
- Valid Passport
- An original birth certificate from your country of origin
- A criminal record certificate that was issued by your home country and any country you’ve lived in during the last five years.
- Your current TIE (Foreigner Identity Card) or EU Registration Certificate
- Certificado de Empadronamiento, which is a certificate from your municipality proving your continuous residence in Spain
- Proof of passing the CCSE culture test and the DELE A2 language exam
- Receipt for the administration fee (Tasa 790-026), which is €104.50
- Marriage certificate if you are applying for citizenship through marriage
All foreign documents must be apostilled and translated into Spanish by a Sworn Translator authorized by the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Application Process for Spanish Dual Citizenship
- Step 1: Confirm eligibility: Before starting, you must confirm that you are eligible to apply for Spanish dual citizenship and that your country has an agreement with Spain. It is also important to make sure you have taken both the cultural and language tests, and you meet all the residency requirements.
- Step 2: Documents and fee payment: Put together all required documents and make sure they are apostilled in your country of origin and translated by an official Spanish sworn translator. Then pay the Tasa 790-026 of €104.50 at a local bank and keep the stamped receipt.
- Step 3: Submit application online: Submit the application via the Sede Electrónica of the Ministry of Justice. You will need a Digital Certificate or Cl@ve to sign and submit the application electronically. When you have submitted everything, you can track your progress through the Cómo va lo mío online platform.
- Step 4: Wait for processing and approval: Citizenship applications can take 12–24 months to be processed. This is the stage where the authorities review your documents and verify your eligibility.
- Step 5. Final approval and Oath of Allegiance: If your application is successful, you will receive notification of approval. You are then required to take an oath of allegiance to the King and the Constitution of Spain and sign the oath in front of a judge or civil authority.
The Cost of Dual Citizenship in Spain
- Spanish nationality fee (Tasa 790-026): €104.50. This is a non-refundable administrative fee paid to the Ministry of Justice before submitting your application.
- DNI (national ID card): €12. Paid at the police station after citizenship is granted.
- Spanish passport: €30. Paid once your Spanish passport has been issued.
- CCSE Exam (culture & laws): €85. Required for all applicants.
- DELE A2 Exam (language): €134–€138. Only required for nationals from non-Spanish-speaking countries.
- Apostilles and sworn translations: Costs vary by provider, language, and issuing country. You should confirm with a sworn translator accredited by the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the apostille authority of the issuing country.
How long does it take to get your Spanish dual passport?
- Application submission: If submitted correctly via a lawyer or with a digital certificate, many applicants are seeing resolutions in 12 to 24 months. This is despite the legal maximum of 12 months, as there is a current backlog.
- The Oath: You have 180 days to swear allegiance, and the wait for an appointment can be 2 to 5 months.
- DNI & passport: Once the oath is registered, visit a National Police station. The ID card and passport are printed and handed to you on the spot or within a few days.
Spanish Visas
These visas do not automatically lead you to citizenship, but they can start you toward the residency requirement and help you work your way to Spanish permanent residency after five years.
Spain Digital Nomad Visa
The Spain Digital Nomad Visa allows non-EU remote workers and freelancers to live and work in Spain for one year, with the possibility of extending up to five years. To qualify, applicants must earn at least €2,850 per month, work for a company based outside Spain or run a remote business with international clients and have valid private health insurance.
Spain Non-Lucrative Visa
The Spain Non-Lucrative Visa is created for non-EU nationals who want to live in Spain without working in the country. It’s best for retirees or for people with passive income, such as pensions or rental income. Applicants must demonstrate a minimum monthly income of €2,400 and the ability to support themselves while living in Spain.
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.
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