Spanish
Citizenship
Obtaining Spanish citizenship is the final step of the migration process and confers full citizenship rights. It can be acquired by residence (after 10, 5, 2 or…
Obtaining Spanish citizenship is the final step of the migration process and confers full citizenship rights. It can be acquired by residence (after 10, 5, 2 or 1 year depending on the case), by letter of naturalisation or by option. Each route has its own requirements and timescales.
Citizenship by residence
This is the most common route. The general requirement is 10 years of lawful, continuous residence immediately before the application. That period is reduced to 5 years for refugees, 2 years for nationals of Ibero-American countries, Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea and Portugal and for Sephardic Jews, and 1 year in special cases (people born in Spain, those married to a Spanish national, among others).
Core requirements
You must show good civic conduct (no criminal record), a sufficient degree of integration into Spanish society (evidenced by the CCSE test and the DELE A2 language certificate or an equivalent), and continuous lawful residence. The application is filed online through the Ministry of Justice's electronic portal.
Letter of naturalisation and option
A letter of naturalisation is an exceptional route granted by the Council of Ministers on exceptional grounds. Citizenship by option is open to those who are, or have been, under the parental authority of a Spanish national, those born in Spain to foreign parents who were themselves born in Spain, and the other situations set out in the Civil Code.
How we help
We carry out a preliminary assessment to confirm that you meet the requirements. We prepare all the documents, advise you on the CCSE and DELE tests, and file the online application. If the application is refused, we lodge the appropriate administrative and judicial review appeals.
Requirements and documents
The requirements and the documents you will need vary with the circumstances of each case. To find out what applies to yours, get in touch with the firm and we will advise you personally.
Need legal advice?
Ask us with no obligation. Our specialist lawyers will advise you on your case.
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