Gaining Spanish Citizenship via Residency

Acquiring Spanish citizenship through residency is a structured process that allows foreign nationals and expats to become Spanish citizens after legally residing in Spain for a specified time period. This pathway is ideal for people who have already established their lives in Spain and wish to fully integrate by obtaining citizenship.

Who Qualifies for Citizenship by Residency?

The general requirement for citizenship by residency is ten years of legal and continuous residence in Spain. One important thing to note here: time spent on a ‘student visa’ does not contribute to the ten years of legal and continuous residence.

There are notable exceptions where the residency period is reduced. Here is a list of the exceptions:

After five years: Granted to individuals who have obtained refugee status.
After two years: Applicable to nationals from Ibero-American countries such as Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela as well as Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea, Portugal, and individuals of Sephardic Jewish descent.
After one Year: This applies to:
- Individuals Born in Spain: Those born in Spanish territory to foreign parents.
- Marriage to a Spanish Citizen: After one year of marriage to a Spanish national, provided they are not legally separated.
- Widows or Widowers of Spanish Citizens: If at the time of the spouse’s death, there was no legal separation.
- Individuals Under Legal Guardianship: Those who have been under the legal guardianship of a Spanish citizen or institution for two consecutive years.

TIP! To apply for Spanish citizenship, you must meet specific residency requirements, as we've discussed above. Additionaly, you'll need a clean criminal record in both Spain and any previous countries of residence. Finally, you must demonstrate integration into Spanish society by passing two exams: the DELE A2 exam, which tests basic Spanish language skills, and the CCSE exam, which assesses your knowledge of Spain’s constitution and cultural norms.

Application

Preparation: Gather necessary documents, including proof of legal residence, criminal record certificates, and evidence of integration. Here at Blueprint Spain we've done a ton of these cases and can usually speed up the process for you.
Submission: Applications can be submitted electronically through the official portal or in person at designated civil registries.
Processing Time: While the law stipulates a resolution within one year, delays are common, and processing can take several years.

Advantages of Spanish Citizenship

Dual Nationality: Spain permits dual nationality with certain countries, allowing applicants to retain their original citizenship. This is particularly applicable to individuals from Ibero-American countries, Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea, and Portugal.
EU Mobility: As a Spanish citizen, you gain the right to live, work, and study across the European Union.
Political Rights: Spanish citizenship grants you the right to vote in all elections, including national and European Parliament elections, and the eligibility to run for public office.
No Need to Renew Residency Permits: As a citizen, you are no longer required to renew residency permits, providing greater stability and security.
Access to Social Services: Citizenship provides full access to Spain’s social services, including healthcare and education.

Applying for Spanish citizenship by residency is a significant and sometimes lengthy process that involves fulfilling specific legal, residency, and integration requirements. If you think you meet these criteria, fill out the form below, and we’ll guide you through the process to ensure everything is completed correctly and efficiently.

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