Spanish citizenship is a legal status that gives the right to live in Spain indefinitely. Spanish citizens have the right to obtain a Spanish passport and live and work within the European Union. The most common way to become a Spanish citizen is through naturalization, which requires 10 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 and the CCSE culture test, have a clean criminal record, and, in many cases, renounce their previous nationality.
There are also other routes to Spanish citizenship, including descent, marriage, and an option for certain eligible persons. Each pathway has its own requirements, documentation rules, and timelines.
This article explains everything about 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
Benefits of Getting Spanish Citizenship
- EU Rights: You gain the right to live, work, study, and retire in any of the 27 EU member states, including 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 20th on the Global Citizen Solutions Global Passport Index, providing visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to over 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 local, regional, and national elections, as well as European Parliament 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 access to several 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 Spain Citizenship: 4 Different Methods
1. Residency-Based Citizenship
The most common path to gaining Spanish citizenship is through residence. You can qualify for Spanish citizenship by naturalization after living in Spain for a set period and showing integration into Spanish society. The residency stays differ for some nationalities, but the standard rule is 10 years.
- 10 years Standard rule of continuous legal residence.
- 5 years for refugees.
- 2 years for citizens of Ibero-American countries like Mexico, Colombia, Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea, Portugal, or Sephardic Jews.
You can start building your residency stay through programs like the Spain Digital Nomad Visa, the Spanish Non-Lucrative Visa, and other working 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 genuine.
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.
4. Citizenship by Option
This is a special path that allows specific individuals to apply for Spanish citizenship. These include:
- Persons 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 where the two-year deadline is determined and the applicant has two years to 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; each path will have specific requirements.
- Have legal and continuous residence in Spain for the required period without big gaps. Residency must be legal and continuous
- 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 Jews).
- 1 year in special cases, such as spouses of Spanish citizens, people born in Spain, or those with other qualifying ties.
- For citizenship by options, you exercise your right to citizenship before you reach the age of 20. In some cases, you will only have two years.
- Demonstrate good civic conduct with no criminal record in Spain or your home country.
- Pass the CCSE exam about Spanish constitutional and sociocultural knowledge, and the DELE A2 Spanish language exam, but Ibero-American countries are exempt.
Important document checklist
All foreign documents must be legalized and translated by a certified Spanish sworn translator
- Birth certificates for you and the relevant ancestor.
- Valid Passport
- A criminal record certificate that was issued within 3–6 months of your application date.
- Marriage certificate if applying through a spouse or to prove lineage.
- Receipt of the €105 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 and 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, Spanish citizenship provides you 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. Citizenship is a permanent legal status that cannot be revoked, but it requires you to renounce your original nationality, unless you are from an Ibero-American country.
How to Apply for Spanish Citizenship: Step by Step
- Step 1: Preparation and Exams: Before applying, you need to prove integration and pass the DELE A2, the Spanish language exam, and the 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 €105 .
- Await approval: Once you have submitted, you can track your status via the “Cómo va lo mío” portal. The processing time will take about one to two years.
- 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.
- 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): €105. This is mandatory and non-refundable.
- CCSE Exam (Culture): €85, which includes two attempts.
- DELE A2 Exam (Language): €135–€140.
- Sworn Translations: Approximately €40–€80 per document. You will likely need at least two birth certificates and a criminal Record.
- Apostilles: Costs are different depending on the country, but the range from €20–€50 per document.
- Notary fee (Optional): About €100 if you choose to take the final Oath of Allegiance at a notary to speed up the process, rather than waiting 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 Latin American countries, Andorra, Portugal, Equatorial Guinea, and the Philippines, as well as people of Sephardic Jewish origin. Nationals of these countries can keep their original citizenship upon becoming Spanish citizens.
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.
