Spanish Nationality by Residence: Years Needed, Exams, Fee and Oath
Long-term Madrid residents can apply for Spanish citizenship once they reach the legal residence period. Here is how the years are counted, which exams to book and what comes after approval.
Spanish nationality by residence requires 10 years of legal, continuous residence in general, 2 years for nationals of Ibero-American countries, Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea and Portugal, and 1 year in some cases such as marriage to a Spaniard. Most applicants also pass the DELE A2 Spanish exam and the CCSE civics test, then apply online to the Ministry of Justice.
How many years of residence do you need?
The periods are set in article 22 of the Spanish Civil Code. The years must be legal, continuous and immediately before the application.
| Period | Who it applies to |
|---|---|
| 10 years | General rule |
| 5 years | Recognized refugees |
| 2 years | Nationals of Ibero-American countries, Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea and Portugal, and people of Sephardic origin |
| 1 year | People born in Spain; people married for one year to a Spanish national and living together; widows and widowers of Spaniards; people born abroad to a Spanish parent or grandparent who was originally Spanish; and some other cases listed in the Code |
Only time with a residence permit or EU registration counts. Time as a tourist or without papers does not count. Whether years on a student stay permit count has been disputed in the courts, so check your case. The applicant must also show “good civic conduct” and sufficient integration into Spanish society. For complex histories, ask a licensed abogado before applying.
Which exams do you need, and where in Madrid?
The Instituto Cervantes runs both tests, held at authorized exam centers, including several universities and language schools in Madrid.
- DELE A2 or higher: the Spanish language diploma. Nationals of countries where Spanish is an official language are exempt. The A2 fee in Spain has been reported at around €138 for 2026 sessions; check the current price when you register. The diploma does not expire.
- CCSE: the test of constitutional and sociocultural knowledge of Spain, with multiple-choice questions taken from a published question bank. It is held regularly through the year at exam centers, and the fee is listed on the Cervantes exam site. The result is valid for four years.
Children under 18 and people with legal incapacity are exempt from both exams, and people who completed compulsory secondary education in Spain are exempt from them too. Book early: popular centers in Madrid fill up, and DELE sessions run only on set dates each year.
What documents does the application need?
- Valid passport and your TIE or EU registration certificate.
- Birth certificate from your country, apostilled or legalized and officially translated.
- Criminal record certificate from your country of origin, apostilled or legalized and translated where needed.
- A certificado de empadronamiento showing your address history; see how to register on the Madrid padrón.
- DELE and CCSE certificates, or proof of exemption.
- Proof of means and integration, for example employment contracts or pensions.
- Marriage certificate or family documents if your case relies on them.
- The paid fee receipt.
How do you apply online?
- Get a digital certificate or Cl@ve; see how to get a digital certificate or Cl@ve in Madrid. A lawyer or gestor can also file for you with their own credentials.
- Pay the nationality fee on form 790 code 026. As of November 2026 it is about €104; the exact amount appears on the form.
- Open the nationality by residence procedure on the Ministry of Justice electronic office.
- Upload the scanned documents and submit. Save the receipt with your file number.
- Check your electronic notifications: the Ministry can ask for more documents.
The law gives the Ministry one year to decide, and silence counts as refusal. In practice many files take longer, and you can follow progress online with your file number.
What happens after approval: the oath?
After the favorable decision you have 180 days to complete the final step at the Civil Registry (Registro Civil) for your address, or before a notary where that option is offered.
- Swear or promise loyalty to the King and obedience to the Constitution and the laws (the jura).
- Renounce your previous nationality, unless you are exempt (see below).
- Register the nationality at the Civil Registry, which issues your Spanish birth registration.
- Book an appointment for your Spanish ID card (DNI) and passport with the Policía Nacional.
Missing the 180-day window can cancel the grant, so book the Registro Civil or notary step as soon as you get the decision.
Can you keep your current nationality?
Spain only formally accepts dual nationality for nationals of Ibero-American countries, Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea and Portugal, people of Sephardic origin, and French nationals under the 2021 Spain–France agreement. Others must declare renunciation at the oath. Whether your home country actually removes your original nationality depends on its own law, so check with your consulate.
Bottom line
Book the DELE and CCSE a year before you reach the residence period, since the certificates stay valid and exam dates are limited. Order foreign birth and criminal record certificates last, because the Ministry checks that they are recent.
FAQ
Do absences from Spain break continuity?
Short trips do not. Long or frequent absences can, and the Ministry assesses them case by case.
Can I apply if my residence permit is being renewed?
Yes, a renewal filed on time keeps your legal residence, but keep the receipt to show it.
Do my children become Spanish too?
Not automatically. Minor children can usually apply through the option or residence procedures linked to the parent’s nationality.
Is the CCSE hard?
The questions come from a public bank released by the Instituto Cervantes, so applicants can prepare with the official material.
