Obtaining Spanish nationality is the final goal of many foreigners, and the reality is that this is a simple task thanks to the different options and paths available to achieve it. But how can you become a Spanish citizen? Who exactly can apply for this nationality?
In this article we will go over all the ways that will allow you to obtain Spanish nationality, the detailed requirements, and the step-by-step application process.
Stay until the end as we also analyze the most common mistakes foreigners make on this path, plus how to avoid them. So if you want to know how you can enjoy the extensive advantages of the Spanish passport… keep reading!
What is Spanish Citizenship?
Spanish Citizenship is a right that enables you to live indefinitely in Spain. At the same time it grants you certain benefits, like the right to vote, and to work and move freely within the EU.
The most common way of becoming a citizen of Spain is by right of birth. That is, by being born in Spain to Spanish parents.
In this case, you immediately become a national of the country.
However, the Spanish Civil Code states some other circumstances that enable foreigners to apply for and obtain Spanish citizenship.
For example, as a general rule, foreigners who have lived in Spain for 10 years can get citizenship by residency.
Some lesser-known paths include: citizenship by origin, and citizenship by option.
We will dive deep into these in the next few sections. This means that maybe you are eligible for Spanish Citizenship without having to reside in Spain for 10 years. Keep reading to find out!
Spanish nationality law
Spanish nationality is regulated through one of the most important documents of the country, the Civil Code.
It was published in 1889. Since then, authorities have implemented several modifications – we’ll look into them in a second – that affect the way you can get citizenship.
These modifications are specified in the Royal Decree 1004/2005.
Do you have any questions? Ask our lawyers here:
Spanish Citizenship vs Permanent Residency
If you have been living in Spain for several years and would like to stay for the long run, you have two options: citizenship or long-term residency.
The big question is, which option is better for you?
The reality is that both options will grant you the possibility to live in Spain indefinitely.
Nevertheless, there are a few differences between these two possibilities, and fully understanding them will be key to making the right decision.
If you have lived in the country for 5 continuous years, you can apply for long-term residency in Spain.
This kind of permit grants non-EU citizens the possibility to stay in Spain for the long run. You just need to renew your residence card every five years.
With the long-term residency, you will be able to live and work in Spain with the same rights as a Spanish national. You will also be able to travel freely around the EU.
However, since you are not a national, you will not be able to vote in the country.
In general, it is more straightforward and requires fewer things than obtaining citizenship.
But there is an important downside you must consider if you decide to apply for Spanish nationality (vs obtaining PR). Which we explore in the next section.
Can I obtain Spanish dual nationality?
After 10 years of living in Spain, you can obtain Spanish nationality by residence, thus becoming a Spanish citizen.
The main downside of taking this path is that you will need to renounce your original nationality to get the Spanish one.
If you wish to preserve your original nationality, long-term residency is the better option.
Nevertheless, there is an exception to that rule. If you are from Andorra, Portugal, Equatorial Guinea, the Philippines, or a Latin American country, you can obtain dual citizenship. Therefore, giving up your original nationality won’t be necessary.
How to get Spanish citizenship
How can I get Spanish citizenship? This is the big question. So, now that you know how this process can benefit you, let’s talk about the ways to get it.
As we have already mentioned, there isn’t just one fixed path towards becoming a citizen of Spain.
There are three main ways to obtain Spanish nationality:
- Citizenship by residency
- Citizenship by origin
- Citizenship by option
Each of them has different requirements. So let’s make sure you fully understand each of them to know what path you should go for.
Spanish citizenship by residency
Citizenship by residency is becoming eligible for Spanish citizenship by continuously being a legal resident in Spain for a certain number of years.
This type of process encompasses different situations, and each situation has a different required amount of time. This brings us to the next question:
How long do I need to live in Spain to get citizenship?
The exact amount of time will depend on your situation, family ties, and country of origin:
- The general rule is 10 years
- 5 years if you are a refugee
- 2 years if you are from any Latin American country, from Andorra, Equatorial Guinea, Philippines, or Portugal. In these cases, as we have already mentioned, you won’t need to give up your former and original nationality, as you can get dual citizenship
- 1 year for those married to a Spanish national or children/grandchildren of Spanish citizens born in Spain. We will explore these two options in the next section.
Citizenship by marriage
In this sense, citizenship by marriage technically does not exist.
This is because you do not automatically obtain Spanish citizenship when you marry a Spanish national. As stated, you will have to live with your partner in Spain for one year before you are eligible for this procedure.
Thus, it actually falls under citizenship by residency in the context of marriage. Civil partnerships or divorced couples are not valid for this procedure.
The process is simple. First, you need to marry a Spanish Citizen.
Once you do that, you will be able to get residence and work authorization through the family member of an EU visa.
After 12 months of living with your spouse (this is really important), you will be able to start the application process for Spanish citizenship.
Bear in mind that the one year begins from the moment you get your residence card.
Furthermore, as you will need to submit your marriage certificate, you must make sure that the marriage is registered in Spain. So if you got married abroad, this is an extra step you will need to take.
Requirements for citizenship by residency
Aside from living in Spain for one, two, five, or 10 years (depending on your particular situation); you must make sure to meet the following requirements for a successful application:
- The year count starts from the validity of your first residence card. If at any period, you fall under an illegal status, the year count restarts
- Any time in Spain with a tourist or student visa won’t be taken into consideration either (as those aren’t residency periods).
- You must have lived in Spain for the required amount of years uninterruptedly. This means that you can’t leave the country for a long period (more than 3 months can become a reason for denial), nor can you do it frequently.
- It is crucial to show proper civic behavior. The authorities will check your criminal background records and police records to see if there is any conflicting behavior. Having speeding tickets or having renewed your residence card late won’t help you here
Spanish citizenship by origin
The Spanish nationality by origin is the process by which the individual acquires the nationality automatically as a child of Spanish parents, without the need for the intervention of the will of the person.
Here it is important to consider that in the cases of adoption, we are also in front of a process of origin, as long as the adoptee is a minor.
If the adoptee is no longer a minor, he or she has two years from the constitution of the adoption to choose to become a citizen.
This is called citizenship by option, which we will discuss in the next section.
As a summary of this section, you must consider that those who were born in Spain to foreign parents can become a citizen if at least one of their parents was born in Spain too.
In some cases, if the child is born in Spain to foreign parents, but cannot obtain the nationality of their parents’ country due to the said country’s laws, Spanish Nationality is granted to the infant. This also goes for children who are born in Spain to stateless or unknown parents.
In these cases, the infant obtains nationality through citizenship by simple presumption. If a child is found in Spain and we don’t know where they were born, we assume they were born in Spain.
As we can see, children of Spanish parents can get a Spanish passport easily. Is this also applicable to the grandchildren of Spanish citizens?
Grandchildren’s Law (Ley de Nietos)
Currently, it is possible for the grandchildren of Spanish citizens to obtain citizenship. This has been made possible by the grandchildren’s law, which will remain in force until the end of 2025.
If one falls under any of the following situations, they can benefit from the grandchildren’s law and easily obtain Spanish citizenship:
- If you are the child of those who got their nationality through historical memory but who couldn’t get the nationality by option when the law came into force as they were older than 18 years old
- Grandchildren of Spanish women who were born in Spain and married to non-Spanish citizens before the creation of the 1978 Constitution
- Grandchildren of Spanish nationals who got the nationality of another country after leaving Spain before their children were born (so their Children couldn’t become Spanish citizens)
- Grandchildren of citizens of Spain who, even when having the possibility to get citizenship by option, lost the chance as they became older than 18 years old
Spanish citizenship by option
Citizenship by option is a way and an advantage for foreigners to become Spanish citizens if they meet certain conditions.
Firstly, individuals who are or have been under the parental authority of a Spanish citizen are eligible to apply for citizenship. If one of your parents used to be Spanish and was born in Spain, you can also apply.
- If you find out who your parents are after you turn eighteen, and that they are Spanish, you have two years to apply for citizenship.
- You also have two years to apply if you are above eighteen years old and find out you were born in Spain.
- Lastly, if you’re adopted by Spanish parents after you turn eighteen, you have two years from the adoption date to decide if you want to become a citizen.
Spanish Citizenship requirements
Below we explore a fundamental part of the process of obtaining Spanish nationality: preparing all the necessary documentation and demonstrating the requirements for the process.
This is one of the parts in which most foreigners fail, but at the same time, it is crucial to ensure that everything is correct from a legal point of view to obtain nationality quickly and successfully. So make sure to read carefully!
Before you look at the list of general requirements, consider that, depending on the type of citizenship you intend to get, some of them may differ:
- Identification: complete passport and NIE
- Your current residence permit. This implies that you can’t be in an irregular situation at the moment of our application
- Birth certificate
- Criminal records. As we already mentioned, it is important that you don’t have any records; although it is still possible to get a positive resolution if it was a minor and isolated incident
- Marriage certificate (in case you are getting citizenship through marriage)
- Current census certificate and past census records (“padrón”)
- Once you pass the two required exams, DELE A2 and CCSE, you will get a certificate that must be included on the application file
- If you would like to grant your children the possibility to get citizenship by option, include their birth certificate
- Document proving that you paid the corresponding fee, which is about €100
- Demonstration of the possession of sufficient economic means
How to apply for Spanish citizenship
The application process for Spanish citizenship is really straightforward. It can be divided into the following stages:
- You need to prepare all the required documents, including taking the required exams (A2 and CCSE)
- You must submit your application
- Wait for a response, and get an appointment for the pledge of allegiance
- With the document you will be given during step number 4, you can attend your local police station and finally get your passport and DNI
- Finally, you will have to request a concordance certificate so that all public and private institutions you registered with your NIE can validate your new ID info
Let’s review each of them carefully.
The Spanish nationality exams: DELE A2 and CCSE
In order to get a Spanish passport and become a national in the country, you must pass two different citizenship exams:
- The DELE A2, is the basic language test that demonstrates you have a high-enough Spanish level. If you come from any Latin American country, there’s no need to take this exam
- The CCSE, is a cultural test. If you studied school or high school in Spain, this test is not required. It is a 45-minute multiple-choice test in which they basically ask about the Spanish government, art, television, culture, and geography
Both exams are organized by the Cervantes Institute.
It is this second test that scares applicants the most. But there’s nothing to fear.
The Cervantes Insitute publishes all the questions online (usually there are a total of 300). So you can easily practice by answering all of them beforehand, so you know what you can expect.
Furthermore, if you fail, you can retake it. You have a second try then you’ll need to pay the €85 again.
Submitting your application
Once you meet all the requirements and finish with all the paperwork, you need to submit them to the authorities.
In that sense, you have two different options:
You can submit your file in person, at the Civil Registry.
Or, you can do it online, starting here. Our recommendation? Do it online. It will save you a lot of time (no need to get an appointment), and you will receive your resolution much faster.
How to obtain nationality in one year or less
There are some special circumstances wherein the process of citizenship is a lot shorter. In these cases, one can apply for citizenship after just one year of residing in Spain.
It is even possible to obtain Spanish citizenship in less than a year in one circumstance.
This is possible when the applicant is the child of a Spanish national by origin.
In this special case, the applicant always has the right to apply for Spanish citizenship. Until the age of 21, he or she is not required to be a resident in Spain for one year to be eligible for application.
In all other cases, the minimum required time period is one year.
This brings us to the next point, a one-year residency period will be sufficient for:
- Someone who was born in Spanish territory. Some countries do not grant nationality to their national children born abroad. These countries include Portugal, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Argentina, Peru, Cape Verde, Costa Rica, Cuba, Panama, Paraguay, Guinea Bissau, Uruguay, and Sao Tome and Principe. In these cases, Spanish nationality is granted to the infant born in Spain.
- Someone who has a Spanish spouse. However one does not automatically obtain Spanish citizenship by getting married to a Spanish citizen. The non-Spanish national is still required to live with their spouse in the country for a year, before being eligible for citizenship
- Someone with Spanish parents or legal guardians. Someone who has been legally under the guardianship, legal representation, custody, or fostering of a Spanish citizen or institution for two consecutive years can also apply for citizenship by residency. Even if they continue to be in this situation at the time of application
Benefits of Spanish citizenship
There are three main benefits to becoming a Spanish citizen:
1. Easier paperwork. If you apply for Spanish citizenship, navigating Spanish bureaucracy will be much easier. Starting and completely legal processes will take less time, and there will be fewer legal obligations yearly.
2. Obtaining the right to vote in Spain. Obtaining the Spanish citizenship gives one the right to vote in Spain. As a national in the country, you will have the opportunity to vote for what and who you believe in.
3. Having a Spanish passport. With a Spanish passport, you have the right to live and work anywhere within the European Union. Moreover, and thanks to all the agreements Spain has in terms of tourist visas, you will be able to easily travel to 190 countries.
FAQs about Spanish nationality
Let’s now answer the most frequently asked questions on Spanish citizenship:
Does Spain have birthright citizenship?
Spain does not follow pure birthright citizenship (also known as jus soli), meaning that being born in Spanish territory does not automatically grant Spanish nationality. Instead, Spanish citizenship is mainly based on jus sanguinis (right of blood), meaning that a child acquires Spanish nationality if at least one of their parents is Spanish.
However, there are exceptions in which children born in Spain can obtain Spanish nationality under specific conditions.
Spanish nationality processing time
Answering exactly how long it takes to get Spanish citizenship is quite complicated. However, the process usually takes around 1 year in total. Nevertheless, recently waiting times have been drastically reduced to 5-6 months in the vast majority of cases.
There’s a really useful tip you can use to speed the process up radically.
Once you submit your application, the Spanish government has a period of 12 months to legally submit their response (which you can check here through the “cómo va lo mío” platform).
During that time, your file will go through several phases or statuses.
If you click here, you can read about these phases and the meaning of each.
Keep in mind that from the moment you send your application until you receive your resolution, it is totally possible to travel outside Spain, but only if you comply with the 2 requirements we see in this post (not to lose your residence and to make an appointment for the oath on time).
It will be after that period when you can start speeding things up.
This is because if after 12 months you did not get a response, it simply means that your application got rejected due to administrative silence.
If there is no clear reason for that denial, you can initiate an appeal to claim a review of your application. After that, you will get a response in 3-4 months.
If you start getting an appointment for the flag’s jury at the same time you submit your appeal, it is possible to get Spanish citizenship in just a year and a half.
But remember that you can make an appointment for the oath at the Civil Registry but also before a notary. This is something that could speed up the process immensely. Especially if you are in a big city where the Civil Registry is very saturated and it would take months to give you an appointment.
Can I lose my Spanish nationality?
Finally, it is important to mention that it is entirely possible to lose nationality by residence once obtained.
If you move abroad and within three years you do not use it, the Spanish consulate will initiate a process of withdrawal.
That is why once you get your Spanish citizenship, it will be essential to use it. In case this is not possible, you will have to make a declaration in the same consulate saying that you still want to keep it.
Get legal assistance with your Spanish nationality application
If you feel this is too much information and would like to have your life simplified, you don’t need to worry, our team of specialized immigration lawyers in Spain is here to help you out.
We can manage the whole application process for you: determining which is the best path for you to follow, asking you for the concrete documentation and information you will need to get your application approved, plus filling out and sending everything ourselves. You will just need to sign!
Furthermore, we can make the process faster; so you avoid long waiting times.
What are you waiting for? Let’s your Spanish Nationality!
Book a consultation with one of our lawyers and solve all your doubts:
Related content of interest:
- Spanish citizenship for Sephardic Jews
- Avoid Spanish citizenship exams
- Understand the spanish dual nationality process
- Check the status of your citizenship application
At Balcells Group we have been foreigners effortlessly moving to Spain for over 11 years. We help expats from all around the world with their immigration, business, tax and legal needs; ensuring a legally safe and enjoyable transition to the Spanish territory. Our multilingual team understands the importance of adapting to the cultural and legal specificities of our international clients. We offer a comprehensive service that combines the expertise of several generations of lawyers with the innovation needed to address today’s legal challenges, always striving to simplify processes and ensure reliable, effective results.
Spanish nationality consultancy
I want to apply the citizenship my father is a spannish citizen but am 30 years and I have stayed and work in Spain for eight now I want to know how to apply
Hi!
We can help you! Just send us an email at [email protected] and we will define the required steps you should take in order to apply.
Thanks!
My great grandmother/greatgranfather were born and raised in Utrera Spain. Do I qualify fir Spaniard Citizenship?
We would need to analyze it in more depth. For that, please send us an email at [email protected]
Thanks!
Is it compulsory to write the DELE exam?
In case the person can’t write but has been in Spain over that 17 years. What can he do?
Hi Mary,
One of the mandatory requirements to get Spanish citizenship is passing the exam DELE A2 and the cultural exam.
However, there are some cases that the applicant can be exempt to do both exams (for example if you studied in Spain). We should have more details about your case to know if that person has to do it or not.
My name is Pedro Sanchez and I will like to know if one can go ahead to swear without waiting for the resolution letter after seeing that your application has been granted?
Hi Pedro,
You need to contact the Civil Registry in which you have your address registered (Spanish Consulate if you live abroad), and check if they have received it.
Kind regards!
hi good day…I have a permanent residence card /larga duracion how if i married a danish man?? its possible to get a larga duracion Eu?? Thanks in advance.
You can only get the “larga duración UE” in case you modify your current residence permit into the “permanente UE”.
In case you marry a Danish citizen you will get a card for 5 years (but it is not larga duración and not larga duración UE neither).
Buenos tardes. I need info. I am Marissa Elio, I am married a spaniard, last April 26 2019,I want to apply Spanish citizen. Do I need to take exam to get Spanish citizenship? Thank you
Hi Marissa!
One of the requirements to get Spanish citizenship, if you are from a non-Spanish speaking country, is to take an exam, yes. If you have any other doubt, being related to the process or to the requirements, do not hesitate to contact our lawyers via email at [email protected], we will be glad to help!
Hi
I am married to Spanish nationality and we are expecting a baby next year. Can I obtain the nationality without taking those exams.I am from Filipinas and been living here 3 years already. Thank you.
Hi Sherly,
Unless you have studied school in Spain, you need to take the required exams. AS you are from the Philipines, it is possible to get nationality now that you surpassed the minimum required.
My application has been granted but my problem is that the lawyer who submitted my application didn’t add the names of my children in the application form even though I told him I have children,can I correct this error when going for my passport after swearing the oat?or can I still process the passport for my children after I receive mine passport?
Hi Peter,
In order to give you an answer, please send us the application form you submitted at [email protected] so we can analyze it carefully.
Thanks!
Hi I Got married last year to a Spanish man although we have to living together for the past 4 years what papers will I need to submit the citizenship?
Hi Cathy,
If you got married to a Spanish man and want to get citizenship thanks to that, you need to live for 1 year with that person to obtain it.
hola. i want to ask I´m currently study vocational course (pharmacy) here in Spain. I don’t have student visa. I have 2 year working visa. Do I still need to get DELE and CCSE?
DELE and CCSE are the exams to be done in case you want to apply for the Spanish citizenship.
My grandmother was from Spain, I am attempting to determine how to apply for this dual citizenship opportunity. Can you tell me how to proceed? We live in the US and we do not want to move to Spain but my children may want to later in life. Thanks Silvan
Hi Silvana!
As your case is a bit more concrete, we would really appreciate if you could send us an email to [email protected] so a specialized lawyer can analyze your case carefully and determine how to get the dual citizenship in that situation.
Thank you very much for reaching out to us.
добрый день, я и два ребёнка 2 и 4 года граждане Беларуси, моя жена гражданка украины, мы хотим выехать в испанию с дальнейшим проживанием там по карте резидента без права на работу, знаем что на нашу семью нам надо будет положить 46 тыс евро в испанский банк. работа у нас удалённая связанная с ютубом, но официальной работы нету, можно ли как то получить карту резидента?
Good day, I and two children of 2 and 4 years old are citizens of Belarus, my wife is a citizen of Ukraine, we want to go to Spain with a further stay of a bank there. Our work is remote, associated with YouTube, but there is no official work, is it possible to get a resident card like that?
Hi!
I would really suggest you send us an email to [email protected] so we can analyse your situation in more depth and find a solution for you and your family. At our offices we also have the Honorary Consulate of Belarus, therefore we can be of even more help to you.
Thanks for reaching out to us, we will be waiting for your email.
Im a permanent resisdence already but i would like to apply spanish Cetizen
Hi Minda!
How long have you been living in Spain with the permanent residency? Because getting the Spanish Citizenship depends on that.
Thank you very much for reaching out to us, for further details you can as at [email protected]
hi,
do i need to write exams in other to become spanish citizen
Hi Collins!
That depends on where you are actually residing. If you are from a Spanish-speaking country, you don’t have to take any exam. But, if the opposite is true, then you have to.
Thank you very much for reaching out to us, for any other doubt do not hesitate to contact us at [email protected]
how many hours is one required in spain to study spanish language on order to write exams for spanish citizenship?
Hi Mercy,
Courses usually take about 40 hours in total.
I want to apply the citizenship my father and my daughter is a spannish citizen but am 38 years and I have stayed and work in Spain for 14 yrs now I want to know how to apply.thank you
Hi!
We would really like to help you get Spanish Citizenship and manage the whole procedure for you. Would you like sending us an email at [email protected] so we can start as soon as possible?
Thank you very much!
when you make the pledge or at any stage of citizenship, do they actually physically take your uk passport off you? are they allowed to ? I know it has happened but not sure if they actually can ?
Hi Claire!
No, they only take it when they finally approve the Spanish citizenship (not during the application process) and you obtain the Spanish passport.
Hope we have solved your doubts!
Hi
I live and work in England but my daughter lives in Spain with her Spanish mother so she is half Spanish by birth.
Can I apply for nationality via my daughter?
In that case, it would be much better to apply for the family reunification. You can find more information here:
https://balcellsgroup.com/residence-visa-for-family-reunification-in-spain/
or ask us anything at [email protected] if you still have any doubt.
Have a nice day Dave!
Good Evening
My name is Miguel Ferreiro I am 17 years old and live in South Africa and have a South African passport. My father was born in Spain but sadly passed away. I would like to get a Spanish passport if I can,and how?
Thank you
Hi!
First of all, thank you very much for reaching out to us Miguel. As you are eligible for the Spanish Citizenship, we would really appreciate if you could send us an email at [email protected] so we can help you out with the whole process.
Thanks a lot!
Hi.i have a question.how can i change my british passport in spanish passport.for me to get spanish nationaly have to live here for 10 years or is there any other solution.don’t need english.
Hi Mohsin!
That will depend on your origin country, as there are some that require less than 10 years. That is why we would require more information to correctly answer to you.
For any other doubt do not hesitate to ask us!
Hello. How to apply online I have all the required documents. I believe online on the SEDE ministerio de justicia website is the page in which I need to apply. But I am unable to submit as the page says not able to open??
can you assist.
I am india, my wife is Spanish and so is my daughter. furthermore I have been married for 3 years and have been living in spain for more than a year. I have done my exams and passed all of them (CCSE & DELE a2). all in order. I just want to know how to submit it online?
gracias
Hi Zeeshan!
In this situation, it would be much better if you could contact one of our lawyers so she or he can carefully analyze your situation and help you out with this issue. You just need to send us an email at [email protected], and we will be glad to help!
Hola! I am an American, my Mother is Spanish and my Father was American but his family was Spanish. I would like to retire in Spain in a few years and want to know if I can get citizenship of origin. To complicate things, my mother became an American citizen several years ago even though her entire family still lives in Spain. Do I still qualify?
Hi Joe,
As the situation is really concrete and specific, in that case our lawyers should analyze it with more depth. That is why we would really appreciate if you could send us an email at [email protected] to check whether you qualify for the Spanish citizenship or not.
Kind regards.
Hi
My name is abdou
I have tarjeta comunitaria
Valid for 5 years my father is Spanish I want to know when I can apply span nationality and if I will do exam or not
Hi Abdou,
Yes, you’ll need to pass the CCSSE exam (culture exam) and the DELE A2 (language exam). Contact us in order to analyze if you are eligible or not.
Kind regards!
I’m from a country that requires only 2 years of living in Spain to become a citizen. I am currently living in Spain under student visa for 1 year. Does a student visa count towards the 2-year requirement?
Hi Rosa,
The years that effectively count to get Spanish citizenship are those under a residence permit, which must be for a year or more. If we are talking about what is called “estancia por estudios”, then that won’t count.
Hope we have solved your doubt.
Hi,
In relation to the question, after having lived in Spain for 2 years with the student card, will that count towards the 2-year requirement? I am also coming from a country that requires only 2 years of living in Spain to become a citizen.
Hi Maria,
The years lived in Spain under the student visa count half for both the citizenship and the permanent residency.
My father was in the US military and stationed in Spain where my parents lived for over 2 years. My sister and I were born in Spain. Can I apply for dual citizenship and, if so, what do I need to do?
Hi Gwen!
In order to guide you throughout all the legal steps required to get the Spanish citizenship, please send us an email at [email protected] so our specialized lawyers can get in touch with you as soon as possible.
Thanks a lot 🙂
Hello my name is Caroline Brabyn and I am planning on applying for my citizenship in the next couple weeks, and I need help. My grandmother is Spanish and my father was born in madrid but wasnt spanish so i am appyling for nationality by residence under the 1 year residency for decendants. I have passed all the exams and am just waiting for my apostile on my fbi document to come back. It is supposed to arrive on the 14th and my NIE expires on the 15th of june. If i apply on the 17th will that be a problem? I have been living in Spain since september 2017 as an english Auxiliar with a student NIE card. Am i going to come across any problems? Also i tried to start the process online but i couldnt get the attatchments to work on any computer so im going to have to present it in person. If my Nie has expired will they still accept it, and also do i have to stay in spain after I apply, while i wait for a response?
Hi Caroline!
As your case is really specific, we would really appreciate if you could send us an email at [email protected], so a specialized immigration lawyer can analyze it and give you a precise answer. Sorry for not replying here, but we need to ask several more questions in order to give you a detailed answer.
Kind regards!
Can I get Spanish nationality while retaining my Gambian citizenship. Thank you.
Hi Ousman,
Just a few countries are eligible to have the double nationality and not rejecting the original one once they get the Spanish citizenship. In the case of Gambia, you won’t be able to retain it, unfortunately.
Hope we have answered your question,
Kind regards.
Hi good day,my name is lola,i just got my permanent resident permit,is throu living together,me and my spanish boyfriend is not together eny more,how can i apply for spanish nationality, thank
In order to get the Spanish nationality, you need to have lived in Spain for 10 total years.
Kind regards!
Hey
My girlfriend has made an application and now is waiting for the acceptance / denial. Is there any way this process can be speeded up by paying a fee (for example in the UK you can pay £800 for a decision the next day.) Is this possible
Hi Sam,
Unfortunately, we don’t have that option in Spain.
here for anything you may need!
Hi! All of my grandparents were Spanish, but my parents were born out of Spain, as was I. Am I eligible to apply for Spanish citizenship as the grandchild of a Spaniard?
Hi!
It is possible that the new grandchildren’s citizenship law can apply to you. But, as there are just some specific cases in which it is truly possible, we would need to analyze your situation in depth. Would you mind sending us an email at [email protected]?
Thanks!
Can you tell me how much is the cost for you to do the process for me? I think I can prove that my ancestros were sephardic-jews. I have the documentation and how long it will take after you submit the application.
Hi Johnny,
Our cost is 1000€ for the whole application procedure.
We will prepare and submit all the required documents immediately once you send them to us. For that, we are at your complete disposal at [email protected]
Thanks!
Hello – I was born in America to a Spanish mother. I want to apply to become a Spanish citizen – I’m having a hard time finding the applications online. Does someone have a direct website where these forms can be found?
Hi Erika,
If you send us an email at [email protected] one of our lawyers will analyze your situation and give you exact guidance in regards to how to obtain the citizenship in Spain (as there are several options and that would depend on your specific case).
Thanks!
I am on a student visa and just completed one year of living here in spain. I am in the process of renewing it, but this year they are so behind on renewals that they are still on July. How long does it take someone like me on a student visa to become a permanent resident. I heard many different things so now i am confused.
The years as a student count half for the permanent residency, and they do not count for citizenship.
Hello,
I will be living in Spain for a short period of time for studies. I am a resident of Germany and therefor I don’t need a visa.
Is it possible to marry my Spanish boyfriend in Spanish territory as a “tourist” and get the 1-year residency permit, then apply for citizenship afterwards?
I also have the possibility to apply for 6-month Spanish student visa. Will that be helpful or not?
Even if you are a German resident, you must ask for a residence permit in Spain. In this sense, the easiest way is getting a student visa.
In parallel, you can marry your boyfriend. However, getting married in Spain with a foreigner is a very long process so it will not help you with getting the visa as fast as the student visa.
Hello, i am resident of Spain and i moved here because my husband lived here. He applied his passport ‘this year. How can I get the passport, if my husband gets his passport this year, can I apply for mine ? Secondly I can’t speak Spanish, so will it effect my passport?
Yes, in order to get your passport you must pass a Spanish test. If your husband is Spanish you can apply for the nationality after one year living in Spain. If not, you need 2 or 10 years according to your country of origin. You will find all the information in this same article.
I have a passport from a UE country(Ireland). I live permanently in Spain(over 10 years). Is there any advantage to have a Spanish passport?
If you have lived for 10 years in Spain, you can get citizenship. Send us an email at [email protected] and we will guide you step by step.
We went to the registry to submit the paperwork for our daughter who is 17 years old (she was born in Spain). They would not accept the papers as they said she must register via internet. However strange that seems to me, even if we try to do that it seems that the link on the official page is permanently broken.
Is there any other way?
If you want to apply for the Spanish citizenship it must be done online. It is mandatory to use a digital certificate.
If you are interested we can help you to review the documents and submitting the application. Send us an email to [email protected]
Hi,
I am British and have lived and worked in Madrid for the last 14 years and have decided to go ahead with applying for nationality. I am divorced and have two Spanish children. I travel maybe 8 times a year for work mostly for a day or two but in some rare cases upto 3 weeks. Q1) Would this amount of travelling be an issue? Q2) I understand that I will apply for being resident for more than ten years but as a legal guardian and responsible for two Spanish nationals is this also taken into consideration although they don´t live with me? Q3) Also on the need to get the apostille for criminal records, does this need to be done by a UK notario or a Spanish one. I see that the UK Government now also a birth certificate service in foreign EU languages, so I understand that should be sufficient. Q4) Can you say how much it costs for managing the nationality application?
In order to assess which would be your best option, ideally you should have a consultation with one of the lawyers to advise you on your case since the consultation is very broad. You can send an email to [email protected]