topics
tools
Expatica countries
editor's choice

State and private schools in Spain

Should our kids go native too?

Childcare in Spain

Moving to Barcelona with children

Index Last Var.(%)
BEL 20 2732.29 0.18
DAX 8398 0.34
IBEX 30 8582.4 0.47
CAC 40 4001.27 0.56
FTSE 100 6723.06 0.53
AEX 368.08 0.74
DJIA 15354.4 0.80
Nasdaq 3498.97 0.97
FTSE MIB 17604.61 0.35
TSX Composite 12613.05 0.84
ASX 5159.8 0.30
Hang seng 23082.68 0.17
Straits Times 3449.3 -0.09
ISEQ 20 648.77 0.12
You are here: Home Moving to Getting Started How to apply for Spanish citizenship

Getting Started

archive
Enlarge font Decrease font Text size


05/11/2012How to apply for Spanish citizenship

How to apply for Spanish citizenship We outline the procedure for becoming a Spanish national through residence.

Applying for Spanish citizenship is mainly on the basis of residence or birth. The following steps outline the procedure on how to become a Spanish national through residence.

Conditions
The principal routes to acquiring Spanish citizenship are by residence with qualifying criteria, as follows:

  • You must have been legally resident in Spain for a continuous period of 10 years prior to the application. This is the maximum period allowed under the 1997 European Convention on Nationality (ECN).
  • If you have obtained refugee status the period is reduced to 5 years
  • If you are a national of an Ibero-American country or of Sephardic origin the period is reduced to 2 years. Ibero-American countries include: Andorra, Brazil, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea and Portugal.
  • If you have been married to a Spanish citizen for at least 1 year the period of residence required is reduced to 1 year. The marriage must also still be alive. If your spouse has died you may still apply for Spanish citizenship.
  • If one of your parents or grandparents is/was Spanish you may apply following 1 year’s residence.

In addition to the residential criteria, the government requires individuals to demonstrate:
  • Good civic conduct in the form of a lack of criminal record or certificate issued by national or regional authorities
  • Knowledge of the Spanish language
  • Integration into Spanish society

Discretional naturalisation
The Spanish government also confers citizenship on the basis of exceptional circumstances via a Royal Decree. Cases where this has occurred have included artists, athletes or intellectuals.

Procedure
Applications for citizenship are submitted to the Civil Registry in the town where you are living or at the consulate of the country in which you are residing. The documents required are:
  • Passport
  • Birth certificate and that of the Spanish party (if applicable);
  • Residence card;
  • Foreigners Identification card;
  • Census certification (issued by the city hall);
  • Marriage certificate (if applicable);
  • Cohabitation certificate (if applicable) (issued by the city hall);
  • Certificate certifying refugee status issued by the Ministry of the Interior’s Asylum and Refugee Office (if applicable)
  • Police certification of a lack of criminal record;
  • Complementary declaration of citizen behaviour, supplied by the registry office.

A copy of the application is sent to a judge at the registry office. The judge will interview the applicant and if it is approved the application will be sent to the General Directorate of Registers and Notaries (Direccion General de los Registros y del Notariado) who have up to one year to decide on the application.

Once an application has been approved you must go to your local Civil Registry within 180 days to complete the naturalisation process, which involves swearing an oath of loyalty to the king and the constitution and relinquishing your existing nationality.

Cost
Spain does not charge a fee for applying to become a naturalised citizen.

Consequences
Spanish citizenship confers the full rights of an EU citizen in terms of movement and residence in EEA member states. However, once you have acquired Spanish citizenship you must declare that you renounce your prior citizenship, unless your case is one where you are entitled to dual citizenship. This includes Latin American countries and others such as Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea and Portugal. It is possible to have two nationalities, if your existing country does not allow citizens to renounce their citizenship (e.g. the UK).

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Calling all expats: Have your say in the largest global Expat Survey

HSBC Expat invites expatriates worldwide to take part in its sixth annual Expat Explorer Survey, which encourages expats to share their experiences of living and working abroad. Take part in the largest global research that compares expatriate life from country to country, or click here for more information and last year's results.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 


Expatica

Photo credit: RocketRaccoon




2 reactions to this article

Denise posted: 2012-11-14 18:10:56

My son would like to work for the National Police here in Spain, and has been told many times that you must be a Spanish citizen, or renounce your British citizenship. Having read your article, this now seems to not be the case. [Edited by moderator. Please post (elaborate) questions on Ask the Expert or on our Forums. If you have questions for the Expatica staff, please contact us directly.]

josan posted: 2013-05-10 02:12:07

[Edited by moderator. Please post (elaborate) questions on Ask the Expert or on our Forums. If you have questions for the Expatica staff, please contact us directly.]

Add a comment

General rating: Not rated yet

Rate article:    Add my rating



2 reactions to this article

Denise posted: 2012-11-14 18:10:56

My son would like to work for the National Police here in Spain, and has been told many times that you must be a Spanish citizen, or renounce your British citizenship. Having read your article, this now seems to not be the case. [Edited by moderator. Please post (elaborate) questions on Ask the Expert or on our Forums. If you have questions for the Expatica staff, please contact us directly.]

josan posted: 2013-05-10 02:12:07

[Edited by moderator. Please post (elaborate) questions on Ask the Expert or on our Forums. If you have questions for the Expatica staff, please contact us directly.]

Add a comment

Looking for a job?

Browse all jobs
Moving to essentials
Moving to expert Q&A
ask your question
Discussion Forums

Shopping in Spain

UK SHOPPING IN SPAIN

Shopping in Spain

Which UK brands deliver to mainland Spain?

Healthcare in Spain

National health care/Sanitas

Healthcare in Spain

Obtaining healthcare immediately on arrival in spain

Community Noticeboard Spain

Madrid summer outdoor activities

participate in the forums

Inside Expatica
Editor's Guide: Getting Started in Spain

Editor's Guide: Getting Started in Spain

Expatica's Getting Started section will provide practical information on how you can open a bank account, exchange your driving licence, improve your Spanish, and more.

Groups and Clubs in Madrid

Groups and Clubs in Madrid

Here's a guide to an extensive list of groups and clubs in Madrid for expats, from sports groups to social and family gatherings.

Groups and Clubs around Spain

Groups and Clubs around Spain

A brief introduction to our Tax section for Spain, from help with inheritance tax to accounting advice.

Groups and Clubs in Barcelona

Groups and Clubs in Barcelona

Here's a short introduction to our Banking section for those living in Spain, from what to ask the experts to opening a Spanish bank account.