Spanish Nationality by Residency: How to Obtain a Spanish Passport

Spanish nationality by residency is one of the ways to obtain Spanish citizenship. But why opt for a Spanish passport? If you are a resident in Spain, you will avoid having to renew your residence permit every two, five, or ten years, depending on your case. Additionally, a Spanish passport allows you to enter more than 125 countries without needing a visa. Here, I will explain the process of obtaining your Spanish passport.

1. Required Legal Residency Period to Apply for Spanish Nationality

Spanish nationality by residency can be granted to foreigners who have legally and continuously resided in Spain for 10 years before submitting their application. However, this period can be reduced in the following cases:

• 5 YEARS for individuals with refugee status.
• 2 YEARS for residents from Latin American countries, Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea, Portugal, or individuals of Sephardic origin.
• 1 YEAR for:
  • Those born in Spanish territory.
  • Those who did not properly exercise their right to acquire nationality.
  • Those who have been under the legal guardianship, custody, or foster care of a Spanish citizen or institution for two consecutive years.
  • Those who have been married to a Spanish citizen and are not legally or de facto separated.
  • Widows or widowers of a Spanish citizen, provided they were not separated at the time of their spouse’s death.

2. Requirements

• A valid passport.
• Legal and continuous residence in Spain immediately before submitting the application (NIE).
• No criminal record in Spain or the country of origin.
• Apostilled birth Certificated
• No absences from Spain exceeding six months within the two years prior to applying.
• CCSE Exam (Constitutional and Sociocultural Knowledge Test):
  • Required for all applicants over 18 years old.
  • Consists of 25 multiple-choice questions, with at least 15 correct answers needed to pass.
  • Exemptions: Minors, those who have completed compulsory secondary education in Spain, and individuals with judicially modified capacity may request an exemption.
• DELE A2 Exam (Spanish Language Test):
  • Required for applicants whose native language is not Spanish.
  • Exempt countries:
    • Argentina
    • Bolivia
    • Chile
    • Colombia
    • Costa Rica
    • Cuba
    • Ecuador
    • El Salvador
    • Guatemala
    • Equatorial Guinea
    • Honduras
    • Mexico
    • Nicaragua
    • Panama
    • Paraguay
    • Peru
    • Puerto Rico
    • Dominican Republic
    • Uruguay
    • Venezuela

3. Fees

• CCSE Exam Fee: 85.00 €
• DELE A2 Exam Fee: €134.00 €
• Nationality Application Fee: 104.05 €

4. Application Process and Timelines

The application can be submitted either on paper at a government registry office or digitally through the Ministry of Justice’s online platform using a digital certificate. It can also be processed through an officially designated lawyer.

The legal resolution period is 1 year, although it may take longer in some cases.