How Long Does it Take to Get Spanish Citizenship? Full Guide

Over the last decade, several programs have attracted foreign nationals and global investors seeking to acquire Spanish citizenship.

However, the length of time it takes to become a Spanish citizen varies greatly depending on the route you take.

This article explores the varying timelines to acquire Spanish nationality based on individual contexts, backgrounds, and ancestry.

Here’s what you’ll find in this guide:

• Spanish Citizenship requirements
• How to get Spanish citizenship
• How long does it take to get Spanish citizenship, and more.

5 Benefits of Spanish Citizenship

When you get Spanish nationality, you get all kinds of perks, including the right to apply for a Spanish passport and access to Spanish healthcare.

Here’s the breakdown of the five most important benefits of being a Spanish national:

1. Spanish passport: Once you get Spanish nationality, you can apply for a Spanish passport. The Spanish passport is one of the strongest passports in the EU and the world. With a Spanish passport, you can gain visa-free access to a wide number of countries.
2. Freedom of movement with the European Union: As a Spanish national, you can live, work, and study in any EU country without any restrictions.
3. Access to Spanish healthcare: As a Spanish citizen, you have access to the universal healthcare system in Spain.
4. Education opportunities: As Spanish nationals, you and your children get free access to the Spanish educational system unless you decide to enroll in public schools.
5. Voting rights in Spain: This way, you can actively participate in the Spanish political scene by voting in Spanish elections.

Basic Spanish Citizenship Requirements

As per the Spanish Government’s updated guidelines, applicants don’t have to stay in Spain continuously to obtain Spanish nationality. However, you need to have a residence permit and be in Spain for a minimum of nine months in a year for a period of ten years. So, in that regard, it takes 10 years to obtain Spanish citizenship.

The new rule has opened up the opportunity for multiple exits from Spain, providing that the stay period outside the country is no longer than three consecutive months.

How Long Does It Take to Get Spanish Citizenship

Here are the minimum stay requirements to get Spanish citizenship:

• Spanish citizenship through naturalization: 10 years of Spanish residency
• Spanish citizenship of people from Ibero-American countries, Andorra, Philippines, Portugal, Equatorial Guinea: 2 years of Spanish residency
• Spanish citizenship through Sephardic Jews: 2 years of Spanish residency
• Spanish citizenship by birthright: 1 year of Spanish residency
• Spanish citizenship by marriage: 1 year of Spanish residency
• Spanish citizenship by descent: No need for Spanish residency

Once you submit the paperwork, it takes between 12 to 18 months to get Spanish citizenship.

List of countries qualifying for Spanish citizenship within two years

If you are a citizen of any of the below-mentioned countries, you will be eligible to opt for the two-year Spanish nationality program:

Instead of the standard 10 years of legal residency requirement in Spain, citizens of the aforementioned nations will need to spend just two years in the country. After that, they can directly choose the fast-track application for Spanish nationality for Latin American citizens and nationals of other former Spanish colonies.

There are some strict requirements to be eligible to acquire Spanish nationality this way. You have to stay the minimum required days in Spain during the two years. You can either travel to Spain every two to three months or a total of eight times in 730 days.

How to Obtain Spanish Citizenship: The 4 Main Routes

Spanish Citizenship by descent

Spanish citizenship by option is a way of obtaining Spanish citizenship by descent where foreigners can become Spanish citizens through their Spanish parents. The most popular path, other than by birth, is Spanish nationality by descent, where you have to prove your Spanish ancestry. In either case, the overarching conditions to become a Spanish national this way are the following:

• A person over the age of 14 is capable of making a statement that promises fidelity to the King
• Must have either a Spanish mother or legal Spanish guardian
• The applicant was born in Spain and has foreign parents, one of whom was also born in Spain
• The applicant was adopted by Spanish parents before they turned 18. Applicants who are above 18 can apply for this option within the first two years of their adoption.

It also stipulates that an applicant must renounce their previous nationality to become a Spanish national.

While there is a declining number of cases, it is also possible to become a Spanish citizen through Historical Memory Law. This is as set out in Law 52/2007 of 26 December. It is used in special cases where the descendants of Spanish citizens can apply for citizenship if their parents or grandparents were exiled during the Spanish Civil War and the dictatorship of Francisco Franco.

Spanish citizenship through Sephardic Jews

In recent years, Spain has taken steps to acknowledge and provide avenues for descendants of Sephardic Jews to reconnect with their heritage and become a Spanish citizen through programs like the Sephardic Jewish Heritage Program, launched in 2015.

A Sephardic Jew is a member of the Jewish community whose ancestry can be traced back to the historical Jewish communities of the Iberian Peninsula (modern-day Spain and Portugal) and, to some extent, the broader Mediterranean region. The term “Sephardic” comes from the Hebrew word “Sefarad,” which refers to the Iberian Peninsula.

To be eligible for Spanish nationality under the Sephardic Jewish Heritage Program, you must meet these Spanish citizenship requirements:

• Prove Sephardic Ancestry: You must demonstrate that you are a descendant of Sephardic origin. This can be done through genealogical research, historical documentation, or other evidence.
• Connection to Spain: You are not required to be a resident of Spain. But, you must have a special connection or affection for Spain.

Spanish citizenship by marriage

If you are married to a Spanish national, obtaining citizenship through marriage might be the best option for you. However, there are certain conditions that you must meet to be eligible to apply for a Spanish nationality. 

Firstly, you need to obtain a residence permit by reuniting with your family in Spain. After that, you must live in Spain for at least one year before continuing with the citizenship process.

It’s worth noting that if you have been living in Spain for at least a year and your Spanish spouse passes away, you won’t lose your right to reside in the country. Moreover, if you get divorced or your marriage is annulled, there are specific circumstances where you can still retain your right to residency.

Important to note: If the couple is married out of Spain, the marriage should be registered in Spain prior submitting the citizenship application by marriage.

Spanish citizenship by birthright

The usual pathway to naturalization in Spain is through ten years of uninterrupted residency and the relinquishment of other citizenships. However, under the Spanish citizenship by descent laws, you may be eligible for naturalization after just one or two years of residing in Spain. This stream offers an expedited route to becoming a Spanish citizen based on ancestral ties, allowing for a shorter residency requirement than the standard naturalization process.

Spanish Citizenship by Investment

If you are a foreign investor looking for an opportunity to make a significant investment in Spain, the Spanish Golden Visa program is an excellent option. 

This program was launched in 2013 by the Spanish government to encourage foreign citizens to invest in the country’s economy. To be eligible for this program, you must not be a citizen of any EU country, EEA, or Switzerland.

Under this program, you are required to make a minimum investment of €500,000 in various sectors such as real estate, deposits, bonds, or businesses. In exchange, you and your family can enjoy legal residency in Spain. This residency eventually helps you acquire Spanish nationality by investment.

After approval of your application, you will receive a one-year visa which you must exchange upon arrival in Spain. This visa is then valid for two years, after which you can continuously renew it for two more periods.

Once you have been a legal resident of Spain for five years, you can apply for citizenship and become a Spanish citizen.

How to Apply for Spanish Citizenship

To be eligible for Spanish nationality by residency, you must have been residing in Spain for a minimum of ten years with a Spanish residence permit. During this period, you should not have traveled abroad for extended periods, which is typically defined as exceeding three months. However, short holidays and work-related trips are permitted. In addition to meeting these basic requirements, there are other conditions that must be met before submitting your application to become a Spanish citizen.

• You have to provide a clean character certificate that can prove that you do not have a serious criminal record.
• You must not leave Spain for long time periods and should be able to show your registration of residency (empadronamiento) for the same.
• The applicant must show their commitment to Spanish society. Therefore it is mandatory to qualify for a DELE A2 level Spanish basic language test. If you have studied Spanish in high school and possess native proficiency in the language, you can bypass this criterion.
• You have to qualify for the Spanish citizenship test (CSS), known as the Constitutional and Sociocultural Aspects of Spain (Conocimientos Constitucionales y Socioculturales de España).

The Spanish Citizenship Tests: DELE A2 and CCSE

To obtain Spanish citizenship, applicants must pass two important tests: the DELE A2 and the CCSE.

• The DELE A2 exam assesses basic Spanish language proficiency. This test includes reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills. Passing this Spanish language test proves that applicants can function at a basic level in Spanish, which is essential for citizenship approval.
• The CCSE (Conocimientos Constitucionales y Socioculturales de España) is a cultural exam focused on Spain’s legal and cultural knowledge. This test covers topics like the Spanish culture, government, geography, and the Constitution.

Both tests are mandatory for most applicants seeking Spanish citizenship, except for those who already speak Spanish, studied at a Spanish secondary school, or are from Spanish-speaking countries. They are exempt from the DELE A2.

How Can Global Citizen Solutions Help You?

Global Citizen Solutions is a boutique 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. 

Frequently Asked Questions About How Long it Takes to Get Spanish Citizenship

What is the fastest way to get Spanish citizenship?

The fastest way to Spanish citizenship is citizenship by birthright or marriage. However, if you don’t qualify for those, it’s highly recommended you take the naturalization road which will, unfortunately, take you at least 10 years of residency in Spain.

What factors affect the time it takes to get Spanish citizenship?

The time to obtain Spanish citizenship depends on various factors, including the type of citizenship (by descent, marriage, or residency), completeness of documents, regional office efficiency, and the volume of applications.

What is the average processing time for Spanish citizenship applications?

The average processing time for Spanish citizenship applications typically ranges from 1 to 3 years. Delays can occur due to the volume of applications and the complexity of individual cases. Factors like documentation, nationality type, and regional offices also affect the timeline for obtaining Spanish citizenship approval.

Are Latin American countries eligible for Spanish citizenship?

Yes, Spanish citizenship for Latin Americans is available through a fast-track process. Nationals of Ibero-American countries can apply after two years of legal residence in Spain instead of the usual ten. This applies to citizens of Latin America, Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea, and Sephardic Jews. Most can also keep dual nationality due to agreements with Spain.

Can former Spanish colonies get Spanish citizenship?

Obtaining Spanish citizenship can be challenging, especially for non-Spanish nationals.

However, citizens of former colonies of Spain have a unique advantage in the naturalization process. Spain’s citizenship laws offer preferential treatment to nationals of former colonies.

One significant benefit is that individuals from former Spanish colonies are eligible for dual nationality by not having to renounce their original citizenship to acquire Spanish nationality.

How much time do Mexican citizens have to spend in Spain to get Spanish citizenship?

After two years of residency in Spain, Mexicans can apply and start the process of becoming a Spanish national.

Which countries do Spain allow dual citizenship?

The Spanish civil code permits dual citizenship.

Here is a list of countries that Spain allows double citizenship with – Andorra, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Ecuador, Philippines, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Portugal, Puerto Rico, El Salvador, Uruguay, Venezuela and France.

Can Mexican citizens get Spain citizenship?

Mexicans can apply for Spanish citizenship by naturalization after residing in Spain for two years.

Spanish nationality for individuals from Ibero-American countries is facilitated through special provisions aimed at fostering ties with Spanish-speaking nations.

The Spanish government grants preferential treatment to citizens of these countries, allowing for a faster and more streamlined naturalization process.

Spanish citizenship for Puerto Rican citizens?

Citizens of Puerto Rico can hold a dual citizenship with Spain.

How to get Spain Citizenship for Filipinos?

Filipinos need to fulfill their legal residence in Spain requirement of two years to apply for Spanish Citizenship.

How many years to get citizenship in Spain?

The primary requirement for Spanish citizenship by residency is to have lived in Spain for ten years with valid Spanish residency. During this period, extended travel abroad is not permitted, typically defined as being away for more than three months, though short holidays and work-related trips are allowed.