Eligibility Quiz
Are you applying based on a legal marriage to a Spanish citizen?
Application Process
The application for Spanish citizenship is primarily handled through the Ministry of Justice. While you can technically submit paper applications at a local Registro Civil (Civil Registry), it is highly recommended to apply online through the Sede Electrónica del Ministerio de Justicia portal. Digital applications are processed significantly faster and allow you to track your status in real-time.
Citizenship by Marriage (Accelerated Residence)
This pathway is for those married to a Spanish citizen. You must complete one full year of legal, continuous residence in Spain while living with your spouse before you can apply.
- Register your Marriage: If you married outside of Spain, you must first transcribe the marriage into the Spanish Registro Civil. You cannot apply for citizenship until you have a Spanish marriage certificate.
- Pass the Required Exams: Unless you are from a Spanish-speaking country, you must pass the DELE A2 (language proficiency) and the CCSE (constitutional and sociocultural knowledge) exams. Book these through the Instituto Cervantes.
- Gather and Legalize Documents: Collect your birth certificate and criminal record checks from every country you have lived in over the last five years. These must be apostilled (a form of international legalization) and translated by a traductor jurado (sworn translator) in Spain.
- Obtain the Empadronamiento: Request a Certificado de convivencia (certificate of cohabitation) from your local town hall to prove you and your spouse live at the same address.
- Pay the Fee: Complete Form 790-026 and pay the fee at a bank or via your online banking app. Keep the proof of payment.
- Submit Online: Upload all documents to the Ministry of Justice portal. Ensure you scan every single page of your passport, even the blank ones.
- The Oath of Allegiance: Once you receive a favorable resolution, you have 180 days to book an appointment at the Registro Civil to perform the Jura de Nacionalidad (Oath of Allegiance). This is the final step to becoming a citizen.
Citizenship by Adoption
The process depends entirely on your age at the time the adoption was legally finalized.
If the Adoptee is a Minor (Under 18)
- Automatic Acquisition: The child becomes a Spanish citizen by origin the moment the adoption is finalized.
- Registration: The Spanish parents must register the adoption at the Registro Civil. Once registered, the child can apply for a Spanish birth certificate and passport immediately.
If the Adoptee is an Adult (18 or Older)
- The Two-Year Window: You have exactly two years from the date the adoption is finalized to "opt" for Spanish nationality.
- Exercise the Option: You must visit the Registro Civil in your place of residence to formally declare your will to acquire Spanish nationality (Nacionalidad por Opción).
- Documentation: You will need the legal adoption decree, your birth certificate, and the Spanish parent’s birth certificate. No exams or residency periods are required for this specific "option" route.
Fees
The following fees are standard for the 2025/2026 period. All government fees must be paid before the application is submitted.
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Ministry of Justice Application Fee (Form 790-026) | €104.05 |
| CCSE Exam Fee | ~€85.00 |
| DELE A2 Exam Fee | ~€130.00 |
| Sworn Translations | €40.00 – €100.00 per document |
Total Estimate: Approximately €400 – €600, depending on the number of documents requiring translation and whether you are exempt from the DELE exam.
Note: This does not include costs for obtaining apostilles in your home country, passport photos, or legal fees if you choose to hire an immigration lawyer.
Processing Time
Processing times vary based on the submission method and the complexity of your background.
- Digital Marriage Applications: Usually 8 to 12 months for a decision.
- Paper Marriage Applications: Can take 2 to 3 years due to manual data entry backlogs.
- Adoption (Minor): Immediate upon registration of the adoption decree.
- Adoption (Adult Option): Usually 6 to 12 months for the Civil Registry to process the declaration.
- Document Validity: Most foreign documents (like criminal records) are only considered valid by Spanish authorities for 3 to 6 months from their date of issuance. Ensure your documents are "fresh" when you hit the submit button.
- The "One-Year Rule": By law, the Ministry of Justice should respond within one year. If they do not, it is technically considered a "negative silence," but in practice, most applicants simply continue waiting as approvals often arrive shortly after the 12-month mark.