14 de January, 2025
Did you know it’s possible to become a Spanish citizen after living in Spain for a certain period? In this article, we’ll explain everything about Spanish citizenship by residence. Learn how to make your time living in the country count, the minimum period required by law, the documents you need to keep during the process, the different types of spanish citizenship by residence, required exams, and how to apply at the end of the qualifying period.
Realizing your goal of living in Europe or obtaining European citizenship can be simpler than you think. We offer personalized support to make the immigration process more accessible and uncomplicated.
Before diving into the details, here are the essential requirements to apply for Spanish citizenship:
The general rule requires 10 years of residence. However, this period may be reduced in specific cases:
In addition to maintaining legal residence in Spain, it is essential for the stay to be continuous. This means that the foreign resident cannot be absent from the country for extended periods, and the absence limits vary depending on the required length of residence to obtain nationality.
The exams required to obtain Spanish citizenship include the DELE A2 exam (one of the most basic) to assess Spanish language proficiency and the CCSE exam, which evaluates knowledge of the Spanish Constitution and society.
The DELE is waived for natives of Spanish-speaking countries, but the CCSE is mandatory for everyone, except minors under 18, individuals with legal incapacities, and other specific cases.
The DELE costs approximately €134 (A2) in 2025, while the CCSE costs €85 and allows for two attempts. The DELE evaluates reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills, while the CCSE consists of 25 questions about politics, geography, local traditions, rights and duties, and administrative procedures. A minimum of 15 correct answers is required to pass.
Passing both exams is necessary to advance in the citizenship process. If unsuccessful, the applicant can retake the tests.
Learn all the details about the DELE and CCSE exams in our full article on the topic!
The following documents are required to submit the application:
General Documents:
Specific Documents (if applicable):
Remember that all certificates must be presented in full content, translated into Spanish by a sworn translator recognized in Spain, and apostilled in accordance with the Hague Convention. Other documents may be required depending on the specific case.
The application for Spanish nationality by residence time can be made in two ways:
After the approval of the citizenship application by residence, it will be necessary to perform the Nationality Oath within 180 days. This official procedure takes place at the Civil Registry or the Consulate corresponding to the applicant’s residence. In this formal act, the applicant swears allegiance to the King of Spain, adherence to Spanish laws, and, if necessary, renounces their nationality of origin (except in cases where dual nationality is permitted). After the oath, the process proceeds to the issuance of the Spanish birth certificate, DNI, and Spanish passport.
During the oath, which is conducted before a judge, the applicant’s name may change to conform to Spanish naming standards. There is also an official form completed and signed at the time, confirming the commitment to Spanish nationality and recording any adjustments to personal data, including the desired name and surname. Currently, in cases of Spanish citizenship by residence time, adapting the name to national rules is no longer mandatory. Applicants may retain their original name, provided this is communicated.
Obtaining citizenship by residence time requires living legally in the country. To do so, you need a valid residence permit, a TIE (learn more in our article about the NIE). But how can you legally live in Spain? Essentially, there are two ways: either arriving in the country with a residence visa or legalizing your status after arrival through an arraigo. Check out our special articles on these topics:
There are different types of visas for Spain. Options include visas for students, retirees and passive income holders (non-lucrative), work visa, and visas for remote workers (digital nomad), known as digital nomads.
Turn your dream of living in Spain into reality with the specialized support of Atlantic Bridge. Our team of experts is ready to help you find the most suitable visa for your situation, guiding you through every step and ensuring a fast and secure process. Discover how to make the most of the opportunities Spain offers—contact us today and take the first step toward a future in Europe!
Author:
Silvia Resende
