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Residence and nationality

Spanish nationality by residence

Nacionalidad española por residencia

What it is

Spanish nationality by residence requires legal, continuous residence in Spain immediately before the application for the required period (ten years as a general rule, one year in some cases such as being born in Spain or being married to a Spaniard for one year), plus good civic conduct and integration. The applicant must also swear allegiance, renounce the previous nationality (with legal exceptions) and register the acquisition.

Official wording
La obtención de la nacionalidad por residencia requiere la residencia de la persona en España durante el período de residencia exigido, según el caso, de forma legal, continuada e inmediatamente anterior a la petición, así como el cumplimiento de los requisitos de buena conducta cívica e integración.

Official sources

Where it applies
All of Spain

Official information

Official sources

Go to the official website: Nationality application (Ministry of Justice)

When

Ten years of legal, continuous residence immediately before the application are required. The period is reduced to five years for refugees; two years for nationals of Ibero-American countries, Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea, Portugal and people of Sephardic origin; and one year for, among others, people born in Spain, those married to a Spaniard for one year and not separated, widows and widowers of Spaniards, or those who were under the guardianship, custody or foster care of a Spanish citizen or institution for two consecutive years.

Official wording
La obtención de la nacionalidad española por residencia exige la residencia de la persona en España durante diez años de forma legal, continuada e inmediatamente anterior a la petición.

Official sources

Steps

  1. Step 1: Pay the fee (form 790 code 026)

    Before filing, pay the €104.05 fee with form 790 code 026 at a bank that collaborates with the Agencia Tributaria. Payment is always made in the applicant's name, even if a representative pays, and is only accepted in Spain from people with an NIE or DNI.

    Official wording
    La presentación de la solicitud de nacionalidad española por residencia requiere, con carácter previo, el pago de la tasa mediante el impreso 790 código 026 en una entidad financiera colaboradora con la Agencia Tributaria. Importe de la tasa: 104,05 €.

    Official sources

    Go to the official website: Download form 790 026

  2. Step 2: Pass the Instituto Cervantes tests (CCSE and DELE)

    With the application you provide the diplomas of the constitutional and sociocultural knowledge test (CCSE) and the Spanish language test (DELE); they can be replaced by the authorisation for the Ministry of Justice to check them, included in the application form. Holders of the ESO certificate do not need to request an exemption beforehand: they just provide the certificate. Spanish can also be proved with official Spanish-as-a-foreign-language certificates from Official Language Schools and other education bodies.

    Official wording
    Aquellas personas que estén en posesión del título de la ESO, no necesitan solicitar la dispensa con carácter previo, bastará con que aporten el título en el momento de la solicitud.

    Official sources

  3. Step 3: File the application

    The application is filed on the Ministry of Justice e-office (the Ministry publishes a guide for doing it with Cl@ve) or in person through any channel in article 16.4 of Law 39/2015. Applicants over 18 or emancipated file themselves; over-14s are assisted by their legal representative; for under-14s the legal representative files. Additional documents can be added to an open case through the e-office.

    Official wording
    Puede solicitar la nacionalidad por residencia de forma presencial a través de cualquiera de las vías contempladas en al artículo 16.4 de la Ley 39/2015, de 1 de octubre, del Procedimiento Administrativo Común de las Administraciones Públicas.

    Official sources

  4. Step 4: Respond to requests for documents

    If the application or documents do not meet the requirements, you will be asked to correct them or provide documents within three months; otherwise the application is deemed withdrawn. The decision is notified at the address and in the way stated in the application.

    Official wording
    se requerirá al interesado o su representante para que subsane la falta o acompañe, telemática o físicamente, para su cotejo los documentos que procedan, en el plazo de tres meses.

    Official sources

  5. Step 5: Swear allegiance and register (within 180 days)

    If granted, it only takes effect if within 180 days, before the Civil Registry of your place of residence, the applicant over 14 swears or promises allegiance to the King and obedience to the Constitution and the laws, renounces their previous nationality and the acquisition is registered in the Spanish Civil Registry. Nationals of Ibero-American countries, Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea or Portugal, Sephardic Jews and nationals of countries with a dual nationality agreement do not have to renounce.

    Official wording
    La eficacia de la concesión de la nacionalidad española por residencia estará supeditada a que en el plazo de 180 días se cumplan ante el encargado del Registro Civil del domicilio, los requisitos del artículo 23 del Código Civil:

    Official sources

Documents

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🖨 Printable bilingual document card (you can show it at the counter)

Fees

Nationality by residence application: €104.05 (form 790 code 026), paid before filing.

Official wording
Importe de la tasa: 104,05 €.

Official sources

FAQ

Do I have to give up Chinese nationality?

Yes. To take effect, you must renounce your previous nationality; only nationals of Ibero-American countries, Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea or Portugal, Sephardic Jews and nationals of countries with a dual nationality agreement with Spain are exempt. China is not on that list. Also, under China's Nationality Law, anyone who voluntarily acquires another nationality automatically loses Chinese nationality (see the related procedure).

Official wording
Quedan a salvo de este requisito los naturales de países iberoamericanos, Andorra, Filipinas, Guinea Ecuatorial o Portugal y los sefardíes, así como los nacionales de aquellos países con los que España haya concertado un Convenio de doble nacionalidad.

Official sources

Who files the application for a minor?

Under-14s apply through their legal representative; over-14s apply themselves, assisted by their legal representative. For school-age children a certificate from their school proving integration is compulsory.

Official wording
El representante legal del menor de 14 años.

Official sources

Related procedures

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