There are several ways to acquire the nationality, which are explained below.
Acquiring the nationality by this means requires that the foreigner resides in Spanish territory for a period of time, the general rule establishes the continuous and uninterrupted residence for 10 years (legal form), this time must be fulfilled prior to the filing of the application.
For more information you should open a separate page to find the information.
There are cases in which the required period of residence is reduced; these are:
- Five years: for the granting of Spanish nationality to those persons who have obtained refugee status.
- Two years: for those who are nationals of Latin American countries, Andorra, Philippines, Equatorial Guinea, Portugal, or people of Sephardic origin.
- One year: Anyone born in Spanish territory:
1 Anyone who has not duly exercised his or her right to acquire Spanish nationality by option.
2.The one who has been legally subject to the guardianship (under the supervision of a guardian), guardianship or foster care (the foster care that allows the reduction of legal residence to one year is the one in which there is a resolution of the public entity that has in each territory entrusted the protection of minors and the foster care that is judicially recognized) of a Spanish citizen or institution for two consecutive years, even if I will continue in this situation at the time of the application.
3The one who, at the time of application, has been married to a Spaniard for one year and is not separated, either de facto or judicially.
4. The widow or widower of a Spaniard, if at the time of the death of the spouse they were not separated, either de facto or judicially.
5. The one born outside of Spain of father or mother, (also born outside of Spain), grandfather or grandmother, as long as all of them had been originally Spanish.
It is necessary, that the applicant must prove good civic conduct, and sufficient degree of integration in the Spanish society. This can be verified through the mandatory reports that will constitute the report of the Central Registry of Convicts, and the test of constitutional and sociocultural knowledge of Spain (CCSE test), elaborated by the Cervantes Institute.
Who can file/apply?
- The interested party, by himself/herself, provided that he/she is over 18 years of age or emancipated.
- The person over 14 years of age assisted by his legal representative.
- The legal representative of the minor under 14 years of age.
- The person with judicially modified capacity alone or the legal representative of such person, depending on what is stated in the incapacitation sentence.
What should you take into account when submitting your application for Nationality by Residence?
- Fulfill the time of legal residence.
Pass the Instituto Cervantes DELE and CCSE tests (as the case may be). - Submit the documentation through electronic means (Ministry of Justice), or by applying the Collaboration Agreement signed between the Ministry of Justice and the General Council of Spanish Lawyers.
- The resolution of the file to obtain Spanish nationality usually takes approximately 3 years, taking into account the intensive plans of the Ministry of Justice.
- If Spanish nationality is granted, you must go through the process of pre-swearing and swearing, before the Civil Registry of your domicile.
- Once you have your Spanish Birth Certificate, you will be able to process your National Identity Card (DNI) and Passport. At this time the birth certificate must include the note for issuance of the DNI.
- Make responsible use of your nationality, and in case you decide to live outside of Spain, reaffirm your nationality in the Diplomatic Mission or Consulate of Spain that corresponds to the circumscription of residence.
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