Spanish Citizenship
Spanish citizenship is the final step for UK nationals who want to settle in Spain as it gives you permission to stay indefinitely while also gaining additional rights such as the permission to vote, travel, and generally exist in Spain without the need for a visa and similar permissions.
If you or a loved one are considering Spanish citizenship, it is important that you understand what this entails. Our team of immigration lawyers at Total Law can assist you with every step of this journey, from helping you explore your options to filing your actual application. You can call us today at +44 (0) 333 305 9375 to receive immediate support.
Page Contents
- What to Know About Citizenship in Spain
- Obtaining Spanish Citizenship – Four Different Pathways
- Spanish Dual Citizenship
- When to apply for Spanish Citizenship
- Spanish Citizenship Requirements
- How to Apply for Spanish Citizenship?
- Documents Requirements for Spanish Citizenship
- How Long Does It Take to Get Spanish Citizenship?
- How Much Does It Cost to Get Spanish Citizenship?
- What Are Common Reasons for a Rejected Application?
- What Nationality Test Do I Need to Pass?
- How can Total Law help?
- FAQ
What to Know About Citizenship in Spain
Whether you have lived in Spain for a long time or are planning to return on the grounds of a familiar relationship such as your parents or grandparents, you may be eligible to obtain Spanish nationality. There are four main pathways that are available, depending on your background and circumstances, namely citizenship by marriage, option or descent, and citizenship by residence, which is also called naturalisation.
UK individuals with no Spanish ancestry will usually need to go through the residential route, meaning that they will first need to obtain a temporary residential permission which can be upgraded to a long-term one and eventually naturalisation. This is the longest process out of the four, but it is available to most people who can qualify for one of the long-term national visas.
The other citizenship pathways such as marriage, option, or descent will require a relationship or familiar connection to a Spanish citizen that may qualify you to apply for citizen status yourself.
Obtaining Spanish Citizenship – Four Different Pathways
When considering how you might qualify for Spanish citizenship, you will have four major pathways to choose from. Depending on your circumstances you may need to qualify by meeting the minimum residential requirements, but there are also options for individuals who have come to Spain either through marriage to a Spanish citizen or if your parents or grandparents had Spanish nationality.
Spanish Citizenship by Residency
Spanish citizenship by residency is the most common path through which to obtain citizen status for individuals who do not have familial ties to the country through which they might qualify instead. It follows a minimum residential requirement of ten years in total, of which the first five years would have been under a temporary residential permission and the last five under a permanent residence permit.
You should keep in mind that you will only qualify if you remain eligible throughout your time in Spain leading up to your application. This means that you should not have travelled outside of Spain for longer than your status permitted.
You will need to show that you did not engage in any criminal activity throughout this time.
Spanish Citizenship by Marriage
Spouses of Spanish citizens may qualify for citizenship themselves without the ten-year residential requirement, but you will still need to meet certain criteria.
First, you must be married in a legally recognised way that is accepted in Spain. You must not have additional spouses. If you were married outside of Spain, you will need to make sure that your marriage is actually registered in Spain before you can qualify. It is also important to remember that this applies to marriage exclusively, being in a civil partnership is not enough to qualify for Spanish citizenship by marriage.
If your marriage meets the relevant condition, you will usually have to live in Spain with your partner for one year before you can acquire Spanish nationality via the marriage route. You will need to prove that you have a real and ongoing relationship as marrying just to get citizenship is against the law and would lead to serious trouble with the Spanish authorities.
Spanish Citizenship by Option
Children with Spanish parents may be eligible for Spanish citizenship by option if the parent was born in Spain, even if the parent doesn’t currently live in the country. Depending on the age of the child, this may need to be applied for by a parent. Generally, parents will apply if their child is still under 14 years of age. Children who are over 14 years old will have to apply themselves with the assistance of an authorised representative.
Depending on when you are applying for citizenship by option, eligibility may vary. As this path is usually reserved for underage children or adults who are still classed as dependents due to a serious disability. If you are over the age of 18 but have a parent of Spanish descent, you may need to apply for your birth or filiation (recognising you as a child) in Spain, after which you will have two years to apply for citizenship by option. You usually won’t be eligible if you are over 20 years old.
Children who were adopted by a Spanish citizen or who were otherwise in the custody of a Spanish citizen will also qualify, provided that this citizen meets the other requirements (such as having been born in Spain).
Spanish Citizenship by Descent
Under some circumstances, you may also be eligible for Spanish citizenship if you have grandparents who were Spanish nationals but this is not always the most straightforward path. Generally, to qualify for Spanish citizenship by descent you will need to prove that the grandparent through whom you wish to apply meets certain eligibility criteria.
You may qualify if:
- Your grandparent was a Spanish national who couldn’t get nationality for their child (your parent) as they left the country before they were born
- Your grandparent or parent gained Spanish nationality on the ground of historical memory, but you aren’t eligible for nationality by option as you are over 18 years old
- Your grandmother originally Spanish but married to a non-Spanish national before the 1978 constitution
Spanish Dual Citizenship
Dual citizenship is the option for individuals to hold citizen status in their country of origin and the country they have settled in. While Spain allows some Spanish-born nationals to maintain their Spanish citizenship after qualifying for citizen status abroad, this is not usually granted to foreigners who wish to establish citizenship in Spain.
If you are emigrating from the UK, you will usually need to renounce your UK nationality if you wish to obtain Spanish citizenship. An exception may be made if you were only living in the UK but hold nationality in a Spanish-American country or if you are a Sephardic Jew.
Nationals from the following countries may be eligible for dual nationality in Spain:
- Andorra
- Argentina
- Bolivia
- Brazil
- Chile
- Colombia
- Costa Rica
- Cuba
- Dominican Republic
- Equatorial Guinea
- Ecuador
- Philippines
- Guatemala
- Honduras
- Mexico
- Nicaragua
- Panama
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Portugal
- Puerto Rico
- El Salvador
- Uruguay
- Venezuela
- France
When to apply for Spanish Citizenship?
You will be able to apply for Spanish citizenship once you meet the residential eligibility requirements. Depending on your chosen pathway, this may vary. Usually, the fastest way to become eligible is if you are applying for citizenship by option or descent. Citizenship by marriage will usually take one year of residence in Spain while citizenship by residence requires you to have lived in the country for ten years. Naturalisation (which is citizenship by residence) may occasionally be offered if you have been residing in Spain for under ten years but meet other criteria. Refugees may qualify after five years of residence while individuals from an eligible Latin American country may qualify after only two years.
If you are unsure which path is best for you or if you can qualify sooner, it can help to seek specialist advice. Our team of immigration lawyers at Total Law have experience with all aspects of Spanish citizenship applications and will be happy to help you. You can call us today at +44 (0) 333 305 9375 for immediate support.
Spanish Citizenship Requirements
To qualify for Spanish citizenship, you will need to meet the general and specific eligibility requirements which may vary based on your background and application pathway. In general, you will need to show that you have met the relevant residential requirements in Spain, during which you must have maintained legal status, not left the country for too long, and you must not have engaged in any criminal activity.
If you are applying by marriage you will need to show evidence that your relationship is genuine and that it has continued for at least one year after marriage while living in Spain.
Applicants who are claiming citizenship through their parents or grandparents will need to show that they do indeed have a qualifying relative.
Additionally, individuals who wish to obtain Spanish citizenship will usually be required to pass the DELE (Diploma of Spanish) and CCSE (Constitutional and Sociocultural Aspects of Spain) exams before being able to qualify.
How to Apply for Spanish Citizenship?
When you have decided which Spanish citizenship pathway is right for you, you will need to make sure that you understand the requirements and what documents you will be asked to show. When you are ready, you should fill out your Spanish citizenship registry application form and submit it to your local Civil Registry office. This may also be done online.
You will need to make sure that you have all the required documents ready when you apply as failure to provide everything you need will lead to unnecessary delays and may even get your application rejection. Keep in mind that you might need to provide certified translations of documents that are not originally in Spanish. Preparing first can save you time and money as the application fees will not be refunded even if your application fails.
Documents Requirements for Spanish Citizenship
While the specific documents that you will be asked to submit may vary based on the application pathway and your circumstances, you should generally be prepared to provide the following:
- Your valid passport
- Proof that you have paid your application fee
- A Spanish language certificate
- Your resident register (Empadronamiento)
- Financial details showing that you can support yourself
- Details of your work history in Spain
- Records from your birth country
- Marriage certificate, where relevant
- Details about your parent or grandparent, where relevant
How Long Does It Take to Get Spanish Citizenship?
Obtaining Spanish citizenship can be a lengthy process, factoring in the residential requirements and other steps you will need to complete before you are able to apply. If you are applying via residence, your path towards Spanish naturalisation will take over ten years, as this is usually the time you will need to have lived in the country first.
While the actual application processing times can vary, you should expect to wait a significant amount of time. It is not uncommon for a citizenship application to take around 6 months, but it can take even longer depending on the complexity of your circumstances and the thoroughness of your application. To give you the best chance for a quicker and hassle-free application process, you should take care to submit everything you need to prove your eligibility when you apply.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Spanish Citizenship?
The costs you might incur when applying for Spanish citizenship may vary depending on your circumstances. Generally, you should expect to pay about €60-100 for the citizenship application itself. Keep in mind that this is non-refundable so you will not get your money back if your application fails and you will have to pay this again should you wish to try another time.
On top of the application fee, you may need to pay for other things such as translations. You should also keep in mind that it will cost you around €30 to obtain your Spanish passport.
What Are Common Reasons for a Rejected Application?
Any applications for Spanish citizenship will be assessed on a case-by-case basis and there is not one simple answer to why an application may be rejected. However, most commonly, reasons will relate to either insufficient or inaccurate documentation or failure to meet the requirements for obtaining Spanish citizenship.
It is important that you make sure to understand all the nuances of the citizenship application as many mistakes are preventable.
What Nationality Test Do I Need to Pass?
When applying for Spanish citizenship you will usually need to pass two nationality tests called the DELE (Diploma of Spanish) and the CCSE (the Constitutional and Sociocultural Aspects of Spain). These tests aim to assess your knowledge of the Spanish culture, language, and constitution, showing how suitable you are for Spanish citizenship.
The DELE Test
The DELE or DELE A2 test is a language test where you will need to show that you have sufficient understanding of Spanish to qualify as a citizen. It will include a section to test your reading comprehension skills and a section revolving around writing and interaction. The test should take about two and a half hours to complete.
The CCSE Test
The CCSE test (also called the Constitutional and Sociocultural Aspects of Spain test or Conocimientos Constitucionales y Socioculturales de España) will have you answering questions about life in Spain, including questions about the culture and society, the Spanish constitution, and the country’s history. You will need about 45 minutes to finish this test.
How Can Total Law Help?
Applying for Spanish citizenship is a big step on your immigration journey and it is important that you go into it while feeling well prepared.
Seeking support from an immigration expert can help make this process significantly easier. At Total Law, our immigration lawyers have years of experience with the different paths towards citizenship in Spain. You can call us today at +44 (0) 333 305 9375 and we will be happy to help you figure out which options might be the most suitable for you specifically and what you should expect when applying.
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FAQ
While Brexit has affected the free movement for UK travellers who wish to come to Spain for 90 days or less, you will still be eligible to apply for the same national visas as before. Generally, qualifying UK citizens who wish to obtain Spanish citizenship will need to be legal residents of Spain for 10 years before they can apply. Keep in mind that you will not be able to keep your UK citizenship if you do.
Yes, when applying for Spanish citizenship you will need to pass the DELE residential test which evaluates if you are fluent enough in the Spanish language to qualify for citizenship.
Legal Disclaimer
The information provided is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. While we make every effort to ensure accuracy, the law may change, and the information may not reflect the most current legal developments. No warranty is given regarding the accuracy or completeness of the information, and we do not accept liability in such cases. We recommend consulting with a qualified lawyer at Total Law before making any decisions based on the content provided.