Spain Citizenship Requirements

Ordinary legal residence

The baseline is ten years of legal, continuous residence immediately before the application. It is not a physical-presence day total or a processing estimate.

Reduced periods are cohort-specific

Recognised refugees need five years. Two years applies to nationals by origin of Ibero-American countries, Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea or Portugal, and Sephardic applicants. Article 22(2) defines separate one-year birth, option, guardianship and family cohorts.

Conduct and grant decision

Good civic conduct and sufficient integration must be proved. The Justice Minister may refuse for reasoned public-order or national-interest grounds.

Spanish language and civic knowledge

Ordinarily, applicants must pass DELE Spanish at CEFR A2 or higher and the CCSE constitutional and sociocultural test. Listed nationality exemptions, a prior qualifying DELE diploma and specified official educational certificates can replace the language examination; the two-year residence cohort is not identical to the DELE-exempt cohort.

Waivers and accessible examinations

Disability accommodations are available. Applicants unable to read or write or with learning difficulties may request a waiver before applying; it is not automatic. Those schooled in Spain who completed compulsory secondary education can submit the relevant proof with the nationality application without a prior waiver request.

Renunciation and treaty exceptions

A renunciation declaration is generally required. Exceptions cover people from Ibero-American countries, Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea and Portugal, Sephardic people originating from Spain, and French citizens under the bilateral convention. The French exception does not reduce the residence period; the other nationality's law must also be checked.

Oath and registration

The required oath or promise, applicable nationality declaration and Civil Registry registration complete acquisition. A grant lapses if the required appearance is not made within 180 days after notification.

Official application

The Justice Ministry's electronic service accepts nationality-by-residence applications and supporting documents, with a separate service for requests to waive the Cervantes tests.