Spain · Citizenship
Spanish Nationality After Residence
Spanish nationality by residence usually takes ten years of legal, continuous residence. Nationals of Ibero-American countries, Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea and Portugal need two, and most other applicants must renounce their previous nationality.
- Startup route
- Entrepreneur residence (Law 14/2013)
- Minimum capital
- No minimum investment; favorable ENISA report required
- Permanent residence
- 5 years of continuous legal residence
- Citizenship
- 10 years; 2 for Ibero-American nationals
Nationality by residence
Spanish nationality by residence is granted by the Ministry of Justice under Article 22 of the Civil Code. Residence must be legal, continuous and immediately before the application. The general period is ten years, cut to five for refugees, two for nationals of origin of Ibero-American countries, Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea and Portugal and for Sephardic Jews, and one year in cases such as marriage to a Spaniard. Applicants must show good civic conduct and sufficient integration, usually through the DELE A2 language exam and the CCSE civics test run by the Instituto Cervantes. Successful applicants swear allegiance to the King and the Constitution.
- General period
- 10 years of legal, continuous residence
- Shorter periods
- 5 refugees; 2 Ibero-American; 1 spouse of a Spaniard
- Tests
- DELE A2 Spanish and CCSE civics (Instituto Cervantes)
- Decision deadline
- 1 year; no decision counts as refusal
- Dual nationality
- Renunciation required, with listed exceptions
- Investment route
- None
Requirements
- Legal, continuous residence immediately before applying, for the period that applies to your nationality or situation.
- Pass the CCSE test and the DELE A2 exam, unless exempt as a national of a Spanish-speaking country listed in the regulation.
- Show good civic conduct and a sufficient degree of integration into Spanish society.
- Renounce your prior nationality unless an exception applies, and swear loyalty to the King and the Constitution.
- Pay the nationality application fee using Form 790, code 026.
How to apply
- Pass the CCSE and, if required, the DELE A2 exam at an Instituto Cervantes exam center.
- File the application online or in person with the Ministry of Justice, with proof of residence and fee payment.
- Wait for a decision; the legal deadline is one year, after which silence counts as refusal.
- After approval, swear or promise allegiance, renounce prior nationality where required and register in the Civil Registry.
Dual nationality and the French treaty
Spain lets naturalized citizens keep their earlier nationality only in defined cases. Article 23 of the Civil Code exempts nationals of Ibero-American countries, Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea and Portugal, as well as Sephardic Jews of Spanish origin, from the renunciation declaration. A bilateral nationality agreement with France entered into force on 1 April 2022 and lets French and Spanish nationals acquire the other nationality without losing their own. Everyone else must declare that they renounce their prior nationality, although whether the other country actually withdraws it depends on that country's law.
Spain has no citizenship-by-investment program, and the closure of the golden visa in 2025 removed the main investment-based residence option as well. Founders should plan on the standard timeline: five years to long-term residence and ten years in total before applying for nationality, unless a shorter period applies to their nationality. Years spent on entrepreneur and teleworker authorizations count, provided residence stayed legal and continuous throughout.
Questions and answers
How long must a founder live in Spain before applying for nationality?
Ten years in most cases. The period drops to two years for nationals of origin of Ibero-American countries, Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea and Portugal, to five for refugees and to one year for someone married to a Spanish national for a year who is not legally or de facto separated.
Who is exempt from the DELE A2 exam?
Royal Decree 1004/2015 exempts nationals of the countries where Spanish is an official language, as listed in the decree, and applicants who already hold a DELE at A2 level or higher. The CCSE civics test still applies, and the Instituto Cervantes offers adapted exam arrangements for people with disabilities.
Does Spain allow dual citizenship?
Only in specific cases. Nationals of Ibero-American countries, Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea and Portugal keep their original nationality, as do Sephardic Jews of Spanish origin, and a treaty in force since 2022 extends this to French nationals. Other applicants must formally renounce their previous nationality when they swear allegiance.
How long does the Ministry of Justice take to decide?
Royal Decree 1004/2015 sets a maximum of one year from the date the application reaches the competent directorate. If no express decision is issued within that time, the application is deemed refused, which opens the way to an administrative or court appeal.
Official sources
- Spanish Citizenship by Residencywww.mjusticia.gob.es
- Real Decreto de 24 de julio de 1889 por el que se publica el Código Civilwww.boe.es
- Real Decreto 1004/2015, Reglamento del procedimiento para la adquisición de la nacionalidad española por residenciawww.boe.es
- Entrada en vigor del Convenio de nacionalidad entre España y Franciawww.exteriores.gob.es
Reviewed October 2026. Immigration rules change often. Confirm the current requirements with the official authority or a licensed adviser before applying.
Your path in Spain.
Startup visa
Entrepreneur visa or permit backed by a favorable ENISA report
02Temporary residence
3-year UGE-CE authorization, then a 2-year renewal
03Permanent residence
Long-term residence after 5 years of continuous legal stay
04Citizenship
10 years with DELE A2 and CCSE; 2 years for Ibero-American nationals