How to Get Spanish Nationality by Residence Easily

Post actualizado el día September 27, 2026 by DeiviSanzPlay

Obtaining Spanish nationality is a dream for many people who have decided to make Spain their home. It is a process that, although it may seem complex, becomes much more manageable when all the necessary steps and requirements are understood. This article is not the experience of an expert, but rather a compilation of truthful and verified information available on official portals, designed to serve as a clear roadmap for anyone considering starting this procedure.

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Nationality by residence is one of the most common routes. It is granted after a period of legal and continuous stay in the country, demonstrating adequate social and cultural integration. Below, the entire process is broken down, from the initial requirements to the oath of office, always based on current regulations and the information provided by Spanish institutions.

Requirements for Spanish nationality by residence

The first step, and the most important one, is to verify that the period of legal residence required by law is met. This time varies significantly depending on the personal situation of the applicant. For most people, the general requirement is ten years of legal and uninterrupted residence immediately prior to the application.

However, there are important exceptions that reduce this period. For example, for people who have obtained refugee status, the period is reduced to five years. Those who are nationals of Ibero-American countries, Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea, Portugal, or people of Sephardic origin only need two years of legal residence. Particular cases, such as that of a spouse of a Spaniard, require only one year of uninterrupted legal residence.

In addition to time, it is crucial that the residence has been legal and continuous. This means having always had the corresponding administrative authorization (such as temporary or permanent residence cards) and not having remained outside Spain for periods that interrupt the legal continuity of residence. The law establishes that absences exceeding six months in a row outside Spain can break this continuity, so it is vital to keep track of trips abroad.

Another fundamental requirement is to demonstrate good civic conduct and a sufficient degree of integration into Spanish society. This is not just a formality; the authorities verify that the applicant has no criminal record, both in Spain and in their previous countries of residence, and that they possess conduct that aligns with Spanish social values. Integration is assessed through a test, which we will discuss later.

Documentation required for the application

Gathering the correct documentation is, without a doubt, one of the most critical parts of the entire process. Submitting incomplete or incorrect papers is the most common cause of delays or denials. The list may vary slightly depending on the individual situation, but the essential documentation generally includes the following elements, as detailed on the website of the Ministry of Justice.

The main document is the official application form, duly completed and signed. This form can be downloaded directly from the portal of the Ministry of Justice. Along with it, it is essential to submit the complete and valid passport, as well as the current residence card (TIE), which proves legal status in the country.

The birth certificate must also be provided, which must be duly translated into Spanish by a sworn translator and legalized or apostilled according to the convention of the country of origin. To prove civic conduct, a criminal record certificate from the country of origin is required. This certificate, like the birth certificate, must be translated and legalized/apostilled, and its validity is usually three months, so it should not be obtained too early.

To demonstrate the length of residence, in many cases a historical certificate of registration is requested, which can be obtained from the Town Hall where one resides. Additionally, to prove integration, it is necessary to submit the DELE A2 or higher exam diploma (for the constitutional and sociocultural knowledge test) and the certificate of passing the CCSE test (Constitutional and Sociocultural Knowledge of Spain), issued by the Instituto Cervantes.

CCSE and DELE exams for nationality

One of the pillars for demonstrating integration into Spanish society is passing two specific tests: the CCSE and the DELE. These evaluations are managed by the Instituto Cervantes in collaboration with the Ministry of Justice, and passing them is a mandatory requirement for most applicants, with some exceptions for minors or people with learning difficulties.

The CCSE test (Constitutional and Sociocultural Knowledge of Spain) is an exam that assesses the applicant’s knowledge of the Spanish Constitution, the territorial organization, culture, history, and Spanish society. It consists of 25 multiple-choice questions that must be answered in 45 minutes. The syllabus is clearly defined and published on the Instituto Cervantes website, which allows for adequate preparation.

On the other hand, the DELE test (Diploma of Spanish as a Foreign Language) A2 or higher demonstrates that the applicant possesses a sufficient level of linguistic competence to communicate in everyday situations in Spanish. Level A2 is the minimum required. It is important not to confuse these exams; while the CCSE tests knowledge, the DELE evaluates language proficiency. Both tests have monthly sessions and it is necessary to register in advance through the official page of the Instituto Cervantes.

How to submit the nationality application

Once all the documentation has been gathered and the exams have been passed, the time comes to submit the application. There are several ways to carry out this procedure, the most common and recommended being online submission. To do this, it is necessary to have a digital certificate, DNIe, or cl@ve PIN, which allows secure identification on the electronic headquarters of the Ministry of Justice.

The online process is agile and guided. You access the headquarters, select the “Nationality by Residence” option, and follow the assistant to upload all the scanned documentation in PDF format. It is crucial to verify that all files are legible and do not exceed the maximum allowed size. The advantage of this method is that a submission receipt is obtained immediately and the status of the file can be checked at any time.

Alternatively, it is possible to submit the application in person. This is done by requesting an appointment at the Registry Offices of the Directorate General of Registries and Notaries or at any public registry office. An envelope with the paper documentation is submitted and an acknowledgment receipt is received. However, the online procedure is significantly faster and avoids travel.

Regardless of the method chosen, it is essential to keep the file number or the entry receipt, as it will be the only way to track the procedure, which can take several months and even exceed a year, depending on the administration’s workload.

Tracking the file and resolution

After submitting the application, the waiting and tracking phase begins. The Spanish administration offers several tools to check the status of the process without the need to make calls or in-person visits. The main one is the Status Check for Nationality by Residence Procedures of the Ministry of Justice.

By entering the file number or the NIE, you can access and see what phase the application is in. The most common statuses are “In process” (meaning it is being reviewed), “Pending resolution” (it has already gone to the examiner for the final decision), and “Resolved” (a decision has already been made). If the status is “Requested,” it means that some document or information is missing and the issue must be corrected within the indicated deadline.

The resolution of the file is published in the Official State Gazette (BOE). No personalized notification is received by mail; it is the applicant’s responsibility to keep an eye on official publications. Once the favorable resolution appears in the BOE, there is a period of one year to complete the final step: the oath or promise of fidelity to the King and obedience to the Constitution.

Oath of nationality and obtaining the DNI

The oath or promise is the formal act by which Spanish nationality is accepted. This procedure is carried out at the Civil Registry Office corresponding to the applicant’s address. It is necessary to request an appointment in advance, as it is an act carried out individually. For the day of the appointment, you must bring the favorable resolution published in the BOE, the original passport, and the residence card.

The act itself is brief and solemn. The official will read a text that the applicant must repeat: “I swear or promise fidelity to the King and obedience to the Constitution and the laws of Spain.” After this, the oath certificate is signed and the nationality is registered in the Civil Registry. At that moment, the person officially acquires Spanish nationality.

Immediately afterwards, and with the documentation proving the oath, an appointment must be requested to obtain the National Identity Document (DNI) at a National Police station. To do so, a recent photograph, the certificate of registration (empadronamiento), and proof of having sworn the nationality are required. With the issuance of the DNI, the process is formally completed, and the person can enjoy all the rights and duties of a Spanish citizen.