In recent months, a frequently asked question at Molinares Abogados has been:
“Why is my citizenship application still being processed when it’s been over a year?”
This is a perfectly understandable concern. Thousands of applicants are still facing delays in their Spanish citizenship applications. However, to make the best decision, it is important to understand what is actually happening within the process.
📘What happens internally with a naturalization application?
When you submit your application, the process does not rely solely on a basic administrative review. Before a decision is issued, the following must be included in the file mandatory reports issued by various government agencies.
The main organizations involved include:
- National Police – Check of criminal record and legal residency.
- Central Criminal Records Registry – Criminal background check.
- National Intelligence Center – Report on national security.
- Ministry of Justice – The body responsible for issuing the final decision.
⚠️ If even one of these reports is missing, the case cannot be resolved in your favor.
💬 Why have there been delays since 2025?
Although the legal deadline for resolving the matter is one year, the current administrative reality is more complex. The main reasons are:
• Technicalissues on government platforms
• Serveroverload
• Failures in automatic validation
💬 What happens if a year goes by without a response?
This is where we need to send a clear and reassuring message:
If one year has passed since the filing without an explicit decision, the law provides that an implied administrative rejection.
❗ This does NOT mean that your citizenship has been definitively denied.
This means that a highly effective legal avenue is being opened up to resolve the impasse.
💬 The Strategic Solution: Administrative Appeal
The Administrative Appeal for Spanish Nationality is a judicial proceeding filed with the National Court.
When can you apply?
Once one year since the application was filed and no decision has been made.
Is it mandatory to submit it?
No. It's optional. You can keep waiting… or you can take legal action to demand a response.
How does an administrative appeal work?
- The lawsuit is filed with the National Court.
- The court has requested the administrative file from the Ministry of Justice.
- The Ministry is reviewing the case as a matter of priority.
- In most cases, before a judgment is issued, the Department settles the matter in the plaintiff’s favor through what is known as out-of-court settlement.
📌 In practice, the appeal serves as a true catalyst for the case.
It is no coincidence that most residency permits granted after long delays are issued following the filing of this appeal.
Is it mandatory to have a lawyer and a legal representative?
Yes.
The appeal must be drafted by an attorney, and the petitioner must be represented by counsel in court.
At Molinares Abogados we have:
✔️ Lawyers specializing in Spanish citizenship
✔️ Legal representative for proceedings before the National Court
✔️ Proven experience in administrative appeals
✔️ Personalized monitoring of your case
We handle the entire process from start to finish.
Delays don't have to derail your plans. Bureaucratic red tape and technical glitches shouldn't hold your future back.
If your application has been pending for over a year, it's time to make a strategic decision.
At Molinares Abogados help you file your administrative appeal with full legal representation, including a legal representative.
It's time to stop checking “How things are going for me” and start planning your future with your ID in hand.
