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Immigration

Spanish nationality

If you live lawfully in Spain, you can apply for Spanish nationality by residence once you complete the period that applies to you: ten years as a general rule, and less in the cases set out in the Civil Code. The application is filed with the Ministry of Justice, usually electronically. We check your periods and documents, file the application and support you until the oath.

By Aida Elias Soguero, ICAB member no. 44021 · Updated on 14 October 2026

In brief

Who it is for
Foreign nationals with lawful, continuous residence immediately before the application for the required period.
Where to apply
With the Ministry of Justice, through its online office or by the other filing channels allowed by Law 39/2015, either directly or through a representative such as your lawyer.
Decision deadline
One year from receipt of the application by the competent body; without a reply in that period, it is deemed refused.
Fees
We quote them in the first consultation (€40), with the option to pay in instalments.

Periods and requirements

  • Ten years of lawful residence; five for refugees; two for nationals by origin of Ibero-American countries, Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea or Portugal, and for Sephardic Jews.
  • One year, among other cases, if you were born in Spain, have been married to a Spanish national for a year without separation, are their widow or widower, or are the child or grandchild of Spaniards by origin.
  • Lawful, continuous residence immediately before applying, good civic conduct and sufficient integration into Spanish society.
  • Passing the DELE exam (level A2 or higher) and the CCSE test of the Instituto Cervantes; nationals of countries where Spanish is an official language do not take the DELE.
  • Exempt from both tests: under-18s and persons whose legal capacity has been judicially modified. Those who passed ESO (compulsory secondary education) at school in Spain may request exemption from both.
  • Birth certificate and, for adults, a criminal record certificate from your country of origin, legalised and translated, plus your passport.
  • Paying the application fee, which does not include the cost of the Instituto Cervantes exams.

How we help you

  1. We study your case

    We calculate your residence period, review absences and records, and advise you on the Instituto Cervantes exams or any exemption.

  2. We prepare your application

    We gather your birth certificate, criminal record certificate, passport and DELE and CCSE diplomas, with the necessary legalisations and translations.

  3. Electronic filing

    We file the application through the Ministry of Justice's online office as your representatives and respond to any requests received.

  4. Decision and oath

    Once nationality is granted, you have 180 days to take the oath or promise before the Civil Registry, a notary or the consulate and request registration.

Frequently asked questions

What if there is no decision within a year?

The application is deemed refused by administrative silence, which allows you to appeal: an administrative appeal for reconsideration to the Ministry or a judicial review claim before the National High Court (Audiencia Nacional). The authorities remain obliged to issue an express decision.

Can I take the oath before a notary?

Yes. The oath or promise and the other declarations required to acquire nationality can be made before the Civil Registry officer, a notary or the consular officer in charge of the Civil Registry, within 180 days of notification of the grant.

Are there other ways to obtain nationality?

Yes. Among others, the right of option (art. 20 of the Civil Code), for example for those who have been under the parental authority of a Spaniard or whose parent was a Spaniard by origin born in Spain; and naturalisation by letter (carta de naturaleza), granted at the Government's discretion in exceptional circumstances.

Legislation

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