Spanish Citizenship by Residence: Years, Exams and How to Apply
How many years you need, which Instituto Cervantes exams you must pass, how the online application works and what happens after approval.
Most foreigners can apply for Spanish nationality after 10 years of legal and continuous residence in Spain. Nationals of Ibero-American countries, Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea and Portugal need 2 years, recognized refugees 5, and some people only 1. You apply to the Ministry of Justice after passing two Instituto Cervantes exams.
How many years of residence do you need?
The periods are set by article 22 of the Spanish Civil Code. The residence has to be legal, continuous and immediately before the application, which in practice means years covered by a valid residence permit or EU registration.
| Your situation | Residence required |
|---|---|
| Most nationalities | 10 years |
| Recognized refugees | 5 years |
| Nationals of origin of Ibero-American countries, Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea or Portugal, and people of Sephardic origin | 2 years |
| Born in Spain | 1 year |
| Married to a Spanish citizen for at least one year and not separated | 1 year |
| Widow or widower of a Spanish citizen, not separated at the time of death | 1 year |
| Born abroad to a parent or grandparent who was originally Spanish | 1 year |
| Under the guardianship, custody or care of a Spanish citizen or institution for two consecutive years | 1 year |
Time alone is not enough. The same article requires good civic conduct and sufficient integration into Spanish society, which the exams below are meant to show. A criminal record in Spain or abroad can lead to a refusal.
Which exams do you have to pass?
Applicants aged 18 or over take two tests run by the Instituto Cervantes:
- DELE A2 or higher, the official Spanish as a foreign language diploma. Nationals of countries where Spanish is an official language are exempt, and so is anyone who already holds a DELE at A2 or above. Official certificates from an Escuela Oficial de Idiomas (state language school) at A2 or higher also count.
- CCSE (Conocimientos Constitucionales y Socioculturales de España), a multiple-choice test on the Constitution, institutions and everyday life in Spain. Everyone takes it, including Latin Americans. The Cervantes publishes a free preparation manual with the question bank each year.
As of November 2026 the Instituto Cervantes lists the CCSE registration fee at €85. Exams are held monthly in most months, and registration for the 2027 sittings opens on 23 November 2026. DELE fees vary by exam center, so check with the center where you sit it. Applicants under 18 do not take the tests; their parents provide school certificates instead.
How do you apply?
- Check your dates. Count your years of legal residence from the date on your first permit or EU registration, and make sure your TIE card has been renewed on time throughout.
- Pass the exams and wait for the results, which you will need to upload.
- Gather your documents and keep your padrón registration up to date. The Ministry of Justice asks for your full valid passport, a birth certificate and a criminal record certificate from your country of origin, both legalized or apostilled and translated into Spanish, plus the exam diplomas. If you cannot get the criminal record certificate, a consular certificate of conduct may be accepted.
- Pay the fee with form 790, code 026. Law 19/2015 set it at €100, and the form shows the current amount; the payer must be the applicant.
- Apply online through the Ministry of Justice electronic office. With a digital certificate you sign it yourself using the AutoFirma app; without one, a lawyer or gestor with your authorization can file it, or you can use the in-person route listed by the ministry. A draft must be completed within two months of being created, or it is deleted.
- Follow the file with the ministry’s online status tool and add documents if asked.
How long does a decision take?
Under article 11.3 of Royal Decree 1004/2015, the ministry must decide and notify within one year of receiving the application. If it does not, the application counts as refused by administrative silence. That does not end the case: it opens the route to an appeal before the contentious-administrative courts, which is where an abogado (lawyer) becomes useful. The ministry does not publish average processing times, so the online tracker is the best guide to where your file stands.
What happens after approval?
Approval is not the end. Within 180 days of being notified you must complete the final steps, or the grant lapses under article 21.4 of the Civil Code:
- swear or promise loyalty to the King and obedience to the Constitution and laws (the jura), required from age 14;
- declare that you renounce your previous nationality, unless you come from an Ibero-American country, Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea or Portugal, or are of Sephardic origin;
- have the nationality recorded in the Civil Registry.
The jura is done at the Civil Registry, and the ministry also allows it before a notary. Once the registration is complete you can apply for a Spanish DNI and passport.
Bottom line
Book the CCSE early, since it is the one exam nobody skips and sittings fill up. Request the foreign criminal record certificate close to filing so it reflects your current record, and set a calendar reminder for the 180-day deadline the day approval arrives.
FAQ
Does time on a student permit count toward the 10 years?
The law asks only for legal and continuous residence, without listing permit types. How a given period is assessed depends on your file, so check with the Ministry of Justice or an immigration lawyer before you file.
Do I lose my US or UK passport?
The law requires you to declare that you renounce your previous nationality unless you are from one of the listed countries. Whether your home country recognizes that renunciation is a question for that country’s own law.
Can I apply if I am married to a Spaniard?
Yes, after one year of legal residence in Spain, as long as you have been married for at least a year and are not separated. You still take the CCSE, and the DELE unless you are exempt.
How much does the CCSE cost?
The Instituto Cervantes lists the registration fee at €85 as of November 2026. The fee covers the exam and the certificate, and you register online with the Cervantes for one of the monthly sittings.
