Spanish Citizenship – How to Get a Spain Passport

There are only two ways to get Spanish citizenship. The first is to claim citizenship by descent from qualifying Spanish parents or heritage. The second is citizenship by naturalization. For naturalization, you’ll qualify by residency, marriage, or investment. We’ll show you how to qualify for Spanish nationality and the fastest way to get a Spanish passport.

How to Obtain Spanish Citizenship

Spanish Citizenship by Descent (Birth/Origin)

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

1) 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 ‘Jus Sanguinis’ or right of blood. If you are born to Spanish citizen parents, you are a Spaniard no matter where you are born. This rule applies to children under 18 adopted by Spanish parents.

2) 2019 Spain Grandchildren Law – “Ley de Nietos” / “Democratic Memory Law.”

Important: The citizenship offer closes in October 2024 – if you think you qualify, you should act now.

Three groups can currently claim descent through their grandparents or great-grandparents. You do not have to live in Spain to qualify.

• Descendants of Spanish women who lost their nationality at marriage before the 1978 Constitution.
• Descendants of Spanish Nationals by Origin via historical memory (Law 52/2007).
• Descendents 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).

3) You and at least one parent were born in Spain

If you and at least one of your parents (regardless of citizenship) are born in Spain, you are Spanish by origin.

Spanish Naturalization

Spain offers citizenship to people who legally move to the country and live in Spain as good community members. If you are a non-EU/EEA national, you’ll need a qualifying Spanish Visa or residence permit. EU /EEA citizens can live in Spain for the ten qualifying years without a visa.

Standard Naturalization Period (10 years)

For most people, you’ll need to live legally in Spain for ten years. You’ll need qualifying immigration permission, for example, Spanish Permanent Residency (PR).

Spain Citizenship by Marriage (1 Year)

Marrying a Spanish national means you only have to live in Spain for one year to qualify for 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. See Appendix 1 for the entire list, including Andorra, Brazil, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea, and Portugal. These nationals qualify after just two years.

Sephardic Jews with connections to Spain (2 years)

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

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

Refugees (5 years)

If you have official refugee status, you can apply after five years.

Spanish Citizenship by Investment (10 years)

Spain does not have direct citizenship by investment program. So, you cannot buy a Spanish passport with an investment or donation. However, the Spain Golden Visa is a residency program that can lead to a Spanish passport by naturalization after ten years.

Spain Dual Citizenship Rules

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

There are two significant exceptions.

1) Spain has agreements with 24 nations. Citizens of these countries can retain their original nationalities when they become naturalized Spaniards. Please see Appendix 2 for the complete list.

2) Some countries do not allow renunciation. Qatar, Tonga, Niger, and the Vatican are some examples. So, although you’ll still formally renounce your status, you remain a dual citizen in practice.

How To Apply for Spanish citizenship

Spain Citizenship Requirements

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)

See 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 (empadronamiento) as proof of residence in Spain.
• Copies of your passport.
• A criminal background check that shows no criminal record.
• Proof of payment of the application fee (usually €60 – €100).

Pledge of allegiance and renouncing other nationalities

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

1. Swearing an oath or promise of allegiance to the King and obedience to the Spanish Constitution and laws.
2. You must also 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.

How to apply

The application process and requirements are complex. We strongly recommend working with an excellent Spanish Immigration Lawyer for the best chance of success. The assessment of your application can take over a year, and if it is rejected, you need to start all over again.

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

How long does it take?

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

At this point, you’ll be registered as a Spanish Citizen in the Spanish Civil Registry. You also automatically become a European Union (EU) citizen with all rights and responsibilities.

So, it could be a three-year wait for your Spanish passport.

How to get a Spanish Passport

You’ll need your new citizenship certificate to apply for your Spanish passport. You’ll need an appointment with the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation (Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores, Unión Europea y de Cooperación). They oversee Spanish passport applications.

You must visit your local Spanish embassy or consulate to apply outside Spain.

There is a €30 fee to issue your passport.

Spanish Nationality Law?

Spanish nationality law comes from several sources. The Spanish Civil Code and the Constitution both outline some areas.

The law is regularly updated, such as in 2019 for the Grandchildren Law.

FAQ – Spanish Citizenship

Appendix 1

Countries that can qualify for naturalization in two years.

• Andorra
• Argentina
• Bolivia
• Brazil
• Chile
• Colombia
• Costa Rica
• Cuba
• Dominican Republic
• Ecuador
• El Salvador
• Equatorial Guinea
• Guatemala
• Honduras
• Mexico
• Nicaragua
• Panama
• Paraguay
• Peru
• Portugal
• Puerto Rico
• The Philippines
• Uruguay
• Venezuela

Appendix 2

These countries are allowed Dual citizenship with Spain.

• Andorra
• Argentina
• Bolivia
• Brazil
• Chile
• Colombia
• Costa Rica
• Cuba
• Dominican Republic
• Ecuador
• El Salvador
• Equatorial Guinea
• Guatemala
• Honduras
• Mexico
• Nicaragua
• Panama
• Paraguay
• Peru
• Philippines
• Portugal
• Puerto Rico
• Uruguay
• Venezuela