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Spanish nationality by residence

To become a Spanish citizen by residence, you need several years of legal residence in Spain, two tests run by the Instituto Cervantes (the DELE Spanish exam at level A2 or higher, and the CCSE test on the Constitution and Spanish society) and an application to the Ministry of Justice. Here are the steps, with links to the official sources.

The path to Spanish nationality by residence

  1. Check how long you must have lived in Spain

    The general period is 10 years of legal, continuous residence immediately before you apply. It is 5 years for refugees, and 2 years for nationals of origin of Ibero-American countries, Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea or Portugal, and for Sephardim. In some cases 1 year is enough, for example if you were born in Spain or have been married to a Spanish national for 1 year and are not legally or de facto separated.

    Official source

  2. Pass the DELE at level A2 or higher

    The DELE is the Instituto Cervantes' Spanish language diploma. You do not need it if you are a national of a country where Spanish is an official language, such as Argentina, Colombia, Mexico or Venezuela, or if you already hold a DELE at level A2 or higher. An official certificate at level A2 or higher from a state language school (Escuela Oficial de Idiomas) also counts. Other Spanish certificates in the international SICELE system do not count for nationality.

    Official source

    The DELE A2: who needs it and how it works

  3. Pass the CCSE

    The CCSE tests your knowledge of the Constitution and of Spanish culture, history and society: 60% of the questions are about the Constitution and the organisation of the state, and 40% about culture, history and society. Nationals of Spanish-speaking countries must also take it. A pass is valid for 4 years.

    Official source

    The CCSE: what the test covers and how to register

  4. Check whether you are exempt from the tests

    Applicants under 18, and people whose legal capacity has been modified by a court, do not take the tests; they provide certificates from their school or care centre instead. People who cannot read or write, or who have learning difficulties, can ask the Ministry of Justice for an exemption before they apply, and cannot apply for nationality until it has decided; the Ministry decides within 6 months (it may also authorise an adapted test instead), and no answer means refusal. People who went to school in Spain and completed compulsory secondary education (ESO) can also be exempted: they do not need to ask first, and simply attach proof to their application.

    Official source

  5. Apply to the Ministry of Justice

    Apply online on the Ministry of Justice e-office, which needs an electronic signature, or on paper through a public registry. Before you apply, pay the fee of €104.05 with the official payment form, which you get from the Ministry; it does not include the DELE or CCSE prices. You need, among other documents, your passport, your residence card (or EU registration certificate), and a birth certificate and a criminal record certificate from your country of origin, legalised and translated where required. EU citizens can replace the criminal record certificate with a Spanish one that states their home country was checked.

    Official source

  6. Wait for the decision

    If documents are missing, you have 3 months to provide them. The Ministry must decide within 1 year; if it does not, your application counts as refused and you can appeal.

    Official source

  7. Swear allegiance and register

    Within 180 days of being notified, you swear or promise loyalty to the King and obedience to the Constitution and the laws, renounce your previous nationality unless you are exempt, and ask to be entered in the Civil Registry (Registro Civil). If you miss this deadline, the grant lapses. Nationals of Ibero-American countries, Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea or Portugal, Sephardim and, under the 2021 Spain–France nationality convention, French nationals do not have to renounce. You become Spanish when you are registered.

    Official source

Official sources (11) · last checked 18 October 2026