Practical guide to Spanish nationality by residence: requirements, deadlines and exams.
What is Spanish nationality by residence?
Spanish nationality by residence is one of the most common ways to acquire citizenship in Spain. However, it still generates many doubts, especially regarding the required years, which permits count, and who benefits from reduced deadlines, such as nationals from Ibero-American countries.
How many years of residence are required?
Generally speaking, the regulations require ten years of legal and continuous residence in Spain. However, the law provides for shorter periods of time for certain groups.
Nationality with only two years of residence
Nationals of the Iberian American countries, as well as citizens of Portugal, Brazil, Andorra, the Philippines, and Equatorial Guinea, can apply for Spanish citizenship after two years of legal residence, in addition to those of Sephardic origin.
Among the main Iberian American countries are, among others:
• Argentina
• Colombia
• Mexico
• Peru
• Chile
• Venezuela
• Uruguay
• Paraguay
• Bolivia
• Ecuador
• Cuba
• Dominican Republic
• Panama
• Costa Rica
• Guatemala
• Honduras
• El Salvador
• Nicaragua
Other legal deadlines
There is a one-year residence requirement in cases such as marriage to a Spanish citizen, being born in Spain, or being a descendant of a Spanish parent. Likewise, people with refugee status can apply for citizenship after five years of residence.
Attention: not all time spent in Spain counts
At Nomadis we often detect errors resulting from confusion between stay and residence. For Spanish nationality by residence, only the period of legal residence counts. Stays that are legal and long-term are not taken into account.
Years spent in Spain under residence permits are not counted, for example:
• Stay for studies (ESO, baccalaureate, vocational training, university degree, master's or doctorate)
• Internship stay
• Research or training stay
• Stay for the mobility of students
• Stay as an au pair
• Short-term visas (Schengen – 90 days)
Periods that do count
Years spent in Spain with a residence permit are counted, among other things:
• Residencia by private account
• Self-contained residence
• Non-profit residence
• Residence as a family member of an EU citizen
• Residential residence by means of a lien
• Residence for international protection (the calculation starts from the resolution granting the residence)
• Visa as a digital nomad
Integration tests
In general, the CCSE exam is mandatory, even for nationals of countries
Ibero-Americans. Those who have completed and passed official studies in Spain, such as ESO, baccalaureate, vocational training or official university studies, must not do so.
The DELE A2 exam is not mandatory for nationals of Ibero-American countries or for nationals of countries where Spanish is an official language.
Professional criterion Nomadis
At Nomadis, we insist on the importance of correctly reviewing the type of permit, the actual time calculation, and the requirements before submitting the application. Proper preparation avoids unnecessary requirements, files, and delays.