Citizenship by Naturalization (Residency)

To apply for Spanish citizenship by residency, you must demonstrate that you have lived legally and continuously in Spain for a specific period (ranging from 1 to 10 years depending on your nationality and circumstances). The process is now almost entirely digital, managed through the Ministerio de Justicia (Ministry of Justice).

Step 1: Verify Your Residency Timeline

Before applying, ensure you have met the minimum legal residency requirement. Time spent on a Student Visa (Estancia por Estudios) generally does not count toward these totals.

• 10 Years: General rule for most foreign nationals.
• 5 Years: For those with official refugee status.
• 2 Years: For nationals of Ibero-American countries, Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea, Portugal, or persons of Sephardic origin.
• 1 Year: For those born in Spain, married to a Spaniard for one year, or children/grandchildren of Spanish nationals by birth.

Step 2: Pass the Mandatory Exams

Unless you are exempt (e.g., you completed secondary school in Spain or are from a Spanish-speaking country), you must pass two exams administered by the Instituto Cervantes:

1. DELE A2 (or higher): A Spanish language proficiency test.
2. CCSE: A test covering Spanish constitutional and socio-cultural knowledge.

Step 3: Gather and Legalize Documents

You must collect all required documents. Any document not in Spanish must be translated by a traductor jurado (official sworn translator). Foreign documents must also be Apostilled or legalized.

• Full Passport: Every single page of your current and previous passports covering your residency period.
• Birth Certificate: From your country of origin.
• Criminal Record Certificate: From your country of origin and any country where you lived in the last 5 years.
• Padron: Your local census certificate.

Step 4: Online Submission and Fee Payment

Submit your application through the Ministry of Justice Electronic Headquarters. During this process, you must pay the Model 790 (code 026) government fee. You can authorize the Ministry to check your Spanish criminal records and residency status internally to save time.

Step 5: The Resolution

The Ministry will review your file and conduct background checks with the police. By law, they should respond within 1 year. If you receive a "Concession" (approval), you move to the final stage. If you receive no response after 12 months, you may file a Recurso Contencioso (Judicial Appeal) to force a decision.

Step 6: The Oath (Jura)

Once approved, you have 180 days to perform the Jura (the Oath of allegiance to the King and the Constitution). This is done at a Civil Registry or before a Notary. During this step, unless you are from a dual-nationality exempt country (like those in Ibero-America), you will be asked to renounce your previous nationality.

Step 7: DNI and Passport

After the oath, the Civil Registry will issue your Spanish birth certificate. Take this to a national police station to obtain your DNI (National ID card) and Spanish passport.

Does not include: Costs for official sworn translations, document Apostilles/legalization, or optional legal fees for a lawyer (which typically range from €500 to €1,500).

• Exam Results: 1 to 3 months after taking the tests.
• Ministry Review: 12 months is the official legal deadline, though reality varies between 1 and 2 years.
• The Oath (Jura): Must be completed within 180 days of your approval notification.
• DNI/Passport Issuance: Usually same-day or within 1 week after your Spanish birth certificate is processed.
• Document Validity: Your criminal record certificates are typically only valid for 3 to 6 months from the date of issuance; ensure they are "fresh" when you hit the submit button.