Spanish Citizenship
Nacionalidad Española
We prepare your complete citizenship application and guide you through the entire process. From paperwork to appointments, we work with our partners to ensure your application is submitted correctly.
Spanish citizenship (nacionalidad española) is the final step in making Spain your permanent home. After meeting residency requirements (typically 10 years, or less for certain nationalities), you can apply to become a Spanish citizen. The process involves gathering extensive documentation, passing language and culture exams (DELE A2 and CCSE), and navigating the application through the Ministry of Justice. We prepare all your paperwork, coordinate with our submission partners, and guide you through each step until you receive your citizenship.
Online notary available: Many of our services can be completed via online notary from the comfort of your home. Where in-person notarization is required or preferred, we can arrange this at a notary local to you.
What's Included
Documents Required
What you'll need to get started
Valid passport
Current passport from your country of origin
TIE card
Your current foreigner identity card showing legal residency
Birth certificate
Original birth certificate, apostilled and officially translated to Spanish
Criminal record certificates
From Spain and your country of origin (and any country you've lived in 6+ months), apostilled and translated
Empadronamiento histórico
Historical certificate showing your address history in Spain
DELE A2 certificate
Spanish language exam certificate (or equivalent proof of Spanish proficiency)
CCSE certificate
Constitutional and sociocultural knowledge exam certificate
Proof of integration
Evidence of social integration: work contracts, tax returns, community involvement
Marriage certificate
If applying based on marriage to a Spanish citizen, apostilled and translated
Rules & Regulations
Important information you should know
Residency Requirements
Standard requirement is 10 years of legal residency. Reduced to 2 years for nationals of Latin American countries, Andorra, Philippines, Equatorial Guinea, Portugal, and Sephardic Jews. 1 year for those married to a Spanish citizen or born in Spain.
Continuous Residency
You must demonstrate continuous legal residency without extended absences. Absences over 6 months can reset or extend your waiting period.
Good Conduct
No serious criminal record in Spain or your home country. Minor infractions are generally acceptable.
Language Requirement
You must pass the DELE A2 Spanish language exam or provide proof of education in Spanish.
Cultural Knowledge
You must pass the CCSE exam testing knowledge of Spanish government, culture, and society.
Dual Citizenship
Spain allows dual citizenship with Latin American countries, Andorra, Philippines, Equatorial Guinea, and Portugal. Other nationalities may need to renounce their original citizenship.
Benefits
Why this matters for you
EU Citizenship
Full rights to live and work anywhere in the European Union without restrictions.
Voting Rights
Vote in all Spanish elections including national, regional, and European Parliament.
No Visa Worries
Never worry about visa renewals or residency permits again.
Pass to Children
Your children born after citizenship automatically become Spanish citizens.
Consular Protection
Access to Spanish (and EU) consular assistance worldwide.
Full Rights
Access to all public sector jobs and complete equality with native-born citizens.
How It Works
Your spanish citizenship in four simple steps
Eligibility Assessment
We review your residency history, documentation, and determine if you meet the requirements for citizenship.
Document Preparation
We provide a complete checklist and help you gather all required documents, including coordinating apostilles and translations.
Exam Preparation
We guide you on preparing for and booking your DELE A2 and CCSE exams if you haven't already passed them.
Application Submission
We complete all forms and our partners submit your application to the Ministry of Justice on your behalf.
Tracking & Follow-up
We monitor your application status and advise on any additional requirements or interviews.
Oath & Registration
Once approved, we help you book your appointment to take the oath and register as a Spanish citizen.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about spanish citizenship
Generally 10 years of legal residency. However, this is reduced to 2 years for nationals of Latin American countries, Andorra, Philippines, Equatorial Guinea, and Portugal. Only 1 year is required if you're married to a Spanish citizen or were born in Spain.
DELE A2 is a Spanish language proficiency exam at basic conversational level. CCSE tests your knowledge of Spanish government, laws, and culture. Both are administered by Instituto Cervantes and can be taken at exam centers worldwide.
Spain has dual citizenship agreements with Latin American countries, Andorra, Philippines, Equatorial Guinea, and Portugal. If you're from another country, you may need to renounce your original citizenship, though some countries don't recognize such renunciations.
Processing times vary significantly, typically 1-3 years. The Ministry of Justice handles applications, and times can fluctuate based on volume and your specific circumstances.
Denials are usually due to documentation issues or not meeting residency requirements. You can appeal the decision or reapply once issues are resolved. We help identify and address any problems before submission.
Nationals of Spanish-speaking countries are generally exempt from the DELE A2 language exam. However, everyone must pass the CCSE cultural knowledge exam.
Important Notice
Hola Gestoria is a private administrative service and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or acting on behalf of any Spanish government authority. We provide general support with paperwork and administrative processes. We are not a regulated gestoría administrativa, not a law firm, and do not provide legal advice or legal representation. All information is for general guidance only. If you require legal advice or formal legal representation, please consult a qualified lawyer in Spain.