How to Get Spanish Citizenship: The Options & Updated Requirements (2025)

Updated: October 2025
This article has been thoroughly updated to reflect the latest changes in Spanish immigration law and citizenship procedures. These cover several significant developments, including the expiry of the deadline for the Democratic Memory Law (also known as the Grandchildren Law) in October 2025, the official termination of Spain’s Golden Visa program in April 2025, and new immigration regulations that took effect in 2025.

There are only two ways to get Spanish citizenship:

• By Descent
  Claim citizenship by descent from qualifying Spanish parents or heritage (origin).
• Born in Spain: If you and at least one parent were born in Spain. No residency required for any descent pathway.
• Please note that the Democratic Memory Law expired in October 2025, making it an invalid pathway.

By Option (Naturalization)
For this, you’ll qualify by residency with a qualification period. This includes Spanish citizenship by marriage

In this article, we’ll show you how to qualify for Spanish nationality and, taking into account your situation, the fastest way to get a Spanish passport.

How to Obtain Spanish Citizenship

Citizenship by Descent

Spanish citizenship by descent is available to individuals with at least one Spanish parent or those born in Spain with at least one parent born in Spain. This pathway has no residency requirements.

Citizenship by Naturalization

Requires legal residency in Spain for varying periods

• Ten years for most applicants
• Reduced to two years for citizens of Ibero-American countries and other categories
• Just one year for those married to Spanish citizens or with other special connections to Spain.

Once you have decided through which route you wish to apply for Spanish citizenship, the application process involves submitting documentation to the Ministry of Justice, taking the required tests (DELE A2 Spanish language and CCSE cultural knowledge), and, upon approval, taking an oath of allegiance and renouncing previous nationalities (with some exceptions).

The entire process can take 1-3 years from application to receiving a Spanish passport.

Spanish Citizenship by Descent (Birth/Origin)

There is no qualification period for Spanish citizenship by descent. And you do not have to live in Spain to qualify or apply.

There is only one pathway to achieve this:

Citizenship by Parent

• Everyone born to a Spanish parent (mother or father) is a Spanish Citizen
  The vast majority of Spanish citizens qualify by descent. Spanish nationality is based on the principle of Jus Sanguinis, or the right of blood. If you are born to Spanish citizen parents, you are a Spaniard, regardless of where you are born. This rule applies to children under 18 adopted by Spanish parents.

Important: The October 2025 deadline has passed to submit applications for Spanish Citizenship using the Grandchildren Law / ‘Ley de Nietos’ / ‘Democratic Memory Law.

• No Longer Avalible >> 2019 Spain Grandchildren Law / ‘Ley de Nietos’ / ‘Democratic Memory Law’
  These groups can not submit applications through this pathway at present.
  a. Descendants of Spanish women who lost their nationality at marriage before the 1978 Constitution
  b. Descendants of Spanish Nationals by Origin via historical memory (Law 52/2007)
  c. Descendants of exiled parents or grandparents who were forced to leave Spain and lost or renounced Spanish nationality. The reason for leaving can include political, ideological, or religious persecution (including for sexual orientation or identity).

READ MORE >> Spanish Citizenship by Descent >> Eligibility & Application & 2025 Deadline

Spanish Citizenship by Naturalization

Spain grants citizenship to individuals who have legally resided and integrated into the community. Non-EU/EEA nationals require a qualifying Spanish visa and residence permit, while EU/EEA citizens can live in Spain for the qualifying period without a visa.

Think of the legal residency requirement as a qualification process. Once you have completed it, you can then apply for Spanish citizenship. Each naturalization pathway has its own residency requirement. But in all cases, the qualification period must be:

• Continuous and legal (with proper residence permits)
• Immediately before submitting your application

And you must be living in Spain, not abroad.

Here are the various pathways to naturalization and their qualifying legal residency time requirements:

Standard Naturalization Period (10 years)

For most Expats, you’ll need to live legally in Spain for ten years. You’ll need qualifying immigration permission, for example, Spanish Permanent Residency (PR). You can then begin the Spanish citizenship application process.

Spain Citizenship by Marriage (1 Year)

Marrying a Spanish national means you only have to live in Spain for one year with an appropriate residence permit before being able to apply for citizenship.

NOTE: If you have a civil marriage (Pareja de Hecho), the qualifying residency period before applying is 10 years.

Other Connection to Spain (1 Year)

Other naturalization paths require only one year of legal residency in Spain, apart from marriage to a Spanish citizen:

• Born in Spain
  If you were born in Spanish territory, you qualify for citizenship after just one year of legal residence, regardless of your parents’ nationality or your current citizenship.
• Under the guardianship of a Spanish citizen/entity
  If you have been under the guardianship, care, or custody of a Spanish citizen or institution for two or more consecutive years, you can apply for citizenship after one year of legal residence.
• Born abroad with a parent or grandparent originally Spanish by origin
  If you were born outside Spain but have:
  • A parent who was originally Spanish by origin, OR
  • A grandparent who was originally Spanish by origin

You qualify for the 1-year naturalization path (this is different from citizenship by descent, as it requires you to establish legal residency in Spain first).

Note that ‘Spanish by origin’ in this case means the parent/grandparent was Spanish through birth or descent, not through naturalization. This distinction is crucial as it excludes those whose Spanish relatives became citizens through naturalization.

Nationals from Spanish-American countries (2 years)

Spain has a special provision for people with historical ties to the country and from Ibero-America. Currently, the list comprises 25 countries, which include Andorra, Brazil, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea, France, and Portugal. Nationals from the 25 countries qualify to apply after just two years (see table below)

Sephardic Jews with connections to Spain (2 years)

If you have a Sephardic Jewish heritage, you can qualify for fast-track naturalization in Spain after just two years.

Note: Non-resident Spanish Sephardic nationality is no longer available. The citizenship offer for Sephardic Jews not living in Spain was only open from 2015 to 2019.

Refugees (5 years)

If you have official refugee status, you can apply after five years of living in Spain.

Discontinued: The ‘Golden Visa’ Path

Known colloquially as the ‘Golden Visa’, the Investment Visa was discontinued in April 2025. However, if you currently live in Spain with such a visa, the option to apply for Spanish citizenship after ten years remains open.

READ ALSO >> Moving To Spain From The USA >> Key Steps for a Successful Move

Two-Year Qualifying Countries and Countries Where Spain Permits Dual Citizenship

You can qualify to apply for naturalization after two years of residency and maintain dual citizenship if you are a citizen of one of these countries:

A Andorra Argentina	B Bolivia Brazil	C Chile Colombia Costa Rica Cuba
D Dominican Republic	E Ecuador El Salvador Equatorial Guinea	F France
G Guatemala	H Honduras	M Mexico
N Nicaragua	P Panama Paraguay Peru Philippines Portugal Puerto Rico	U Uruguay
V Venezuela

Spain Dual Citizenship: Rules & Exceptions

In most cases, Spain does not allow dual citizenship, especially for naturalized citizens.

There are two significant exceptions.

1. Spain has agreements with 25 nations to allow dual citizenship. Citizens of these countries can retain their original nationalities when they become naturalized Spaniards (see table above).
2. Some countries do not allow renunciation. Qatar, Tonga, Niger, and the Vatican are some examples. Although you’ll still formally renounce your status at your Oath of Allegiance ceremony, you’ll remain a dual citizen in practice.

Spanish Citizenship Cost Breakdown

The actual cost of obtaining Spanish citizenship goes beyond just application fees. The following tables cover the likely expenses you’ll incur for each pathway.

Total Cost Summary by Pathway

Path	Residency Period (Years)	Total Estimated Cost (Euros)	Typical Total Time (Years)
By Descent	None	1,000 – 1,500	1-2
By Naturalization
– Marriage	1	800 – 1,800	2-3
– Ibero-American	2	900 – 2,000	3-4
– Standard	10	1,500 – 3,700	11-12
– Refugee (includes estimate for asylum legal costs)	5	1,500 – 4,5000	6-7

Note:

1. Costs exclude immigration lawyer fees and costs of living in Spain over the mandatory residency period
2. Costs are estimates based on 2025 rates and may vary by region, individual circumstances, and exchange rates

Common Costs Breakdown

The costs in the table above are made up of several components. Again, these are dependent on personal circumstances, but often include:

Item	Typical Cost (Euros)	Comment
Document translation	300-600
Apostille services	100-300
Courier/Postal services	50-150
Criminal Background Checks	50-200
Visa fees	60-100	N/a for ‘By descent’ applications
Application fee	60-100
Spanish Passport	30
Exams	120	DELE A2 Test
	85	CCSE Test
	200-500	Test Preparation

Additional Cost Considerations

Other costs to look out for, or be prepared for, might include:

Ongoing Annual Expenses During Residency
Health Insurance	€600 – €2,400/year	If not covered by employment or social security
Spanish Classes	€1,000 – €3,000/year	Recommended
Hidden Costs to Budget For
Failed Test Retakes	€205 each time	DELE + CCSE
Document Updates	€100 – €300	If documents expire during process
Travel for Appointments	€100 – €500	If living outside major cities

How To Apply for Spanish Citizenship

Once you have completed the mandatory residency requirements for your chosen naturalization path, you are qualified to apply for Spanish Citizenship. The next steps are to pass two citizenship tests, gather all necessary documentation, and submit a formal application.

Citizenship Tests

There are two tests you’ll need to pass to qualify:

• DELE A2 (a Spanish language test)
• CCSE (Constitutional and Sociocultural Aspects of Spain, a cultural exam)

Discover the easiest ways to get your Spanish Language to the required level.

Documentation

Your documentation requirements will depend on your pathway and situation. However, you will need at least some of these.

• Completed application (there is an online option)
• Proof of your Spanish language capability to DELE A2 level
• Your CCSE certification
• Your Padrón (Certificado de Empadronamiento) as proof of residence in Spain
• Copies of your passport
• A criminal background check shows no criminal record
• Proof of payment of the application fee (typically €60-€100)

How to apply

STRONG RECOMMENDATION: The application process and requirements are complex. Working with an excellent Spanish immigration lawyer will give you the best chance of success. The assessment of your application can take over a year, and if rejected, you will need to restart the process.

If you do want to do it yourself, there is no restriction. You can submit your application to the Ministry of Justice in Spain either in person or online.

Pledge of allegiance and renouncing other nationalities

Once your application is approved, there are two additional steps to complete.

1. Swear an oath of allegiance to the King and obedience to the Spanish Constitution and laws.
2. Renounce all previous nationalities. The renunciation is not required of nationals of Latin American countries, Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea, Portugal, or Sephardic Jews of Spanish origin.

After taking the oath, your new Spanish citizenship status is officially recorded in the Spanish Civil Registry system. The ceremony formally marks the completion of your naturalization process.

After the Ceremony – Getting Your Spanish Documentation

After completing the Spanish citizenship oath ceremony, you collect your Spanish Citizenship Certificate (Certificado de Nacionalidad) from the Civil Registry office where you took the oath.

Collection may occur immediately after the ceremony or within a few days to weeks, when you’re notified that it’s ready. You must typically collect it in person with a valid photo ID and any reference number provided. The certificate serves as official proof of Spanish nationality and is essential for applying for your Spanish passport and national ID card (DNI). Consider requesting multiple certified copies, as you’ll need them for various official procedures as a new Spanish citizen.

With your Spanish Citizenship Certificate, you can then apply for:

• Spanish National ID Card (DNI)
  Required for all Spanish citizens. Get this first, as you will need it for many things, eg, obtaining your Spanish passport
• Spanish Passport
• Birth Certificate as a Spanish citizen

Passport Application

To apply for your Spanish passport, you need to book an appointment (cita previa) at the nearest passport office, usually at a Comisaría de Policía. Appointments can be made online via the official website of the Spanish Ministry of the Interior or by phone.

At your appointment, you’ll need to bring:

• Your valid Spanish DNI (national identity card)
• A recent passport-sized colour photo on a white background
• Spanish Citizenship Certificate
• The completed application form (available at the office)
• Proof of payment of the passport fee (usually paid at the appointment)

The current cost (as of 2025) is €30 for an adult passport. It’s valid for ten years if you’re over 30, or five years if you’re between 5 and 30 years old.

If you’re abroad, you can apply at the nearest Spanish consulate; however, fees may vary slightly depending on the location and currency.

How long does it take?

The government will respond to your application within one to two years. After that, you’ll need to book the ceremony for the oath of allegiance, which can take up to another six months.

After attending the oath of allegiance ceremony, as a Spanish citizen, you have to obtain additional documentation, which takes more time.

As you will have worked out, this is not a fast process, even with the naturalization paths that only require one year of legal residency.

So, from submitting your application to becoming a Spanish Citizen, It could take up to three years. This, of course, is in addition to the legal residency period you had to complete before being able to apply.

Conclusion

Obtaining Spanish citizenship follows two distinct pathways, each designed for different circumstances and offering varying timelines to achieve your goal of becoming a Spanish national.

Spanish citizenship by descent remains the fastest route for eligible applicants, as it requires no residency period and allows applications to be submitted from abroad. If you have Spanish parents or meet specific birth criteria, this pathway offers the most direct route to Spanish nationality. Please note that the Democratic Memory Law expired in October 2025, making this pathway no longer available.

Spanish citizenship by naturalization offers multiple options within a broader framework, accommodating various life situations. No matter which option is right for you, each one requires careful planning and legal residency in Spain.

Success in either pathway demands thorough preparation, particularly for naturalization applicants who must pass language and cultural exams, maintain continuous legal residence, and navigate complex documentation requirements. While the process can take several years, it is well worth the effort — Spanish citizenship offers exceptional benefits, including EU membership rights and one of the world’s most powerful passports.

As with many aspects of Spanish bureaucracy, we strongly recommend consulting with professional legal experts to maximize your chances of success and ensure compliance with Spain’s evolving immigration regulations.

Frequently Asked Questions