How Hard Is It To Become A Citizen Of Spain?

If you have a legal residency permit in Spain and live there for 10 years without interruption, you will qualify for naturalization. However, there are some exceptions to this requirement, including nationals of Andorra, Equatorial Guinea, the Philippines or those of Sephardic origin.

The process is fairly straightforward and requires that you take an oath of the Spanish constitution before an official notary, the Spanish consulate or at the Civil Registry (Civil Registry) – depending on your circumstances. Once you’ve satisfied the requirements, your application for Spanish citizenship will be processed and a decision given as soon as possible.

Citizenship by marriage

If your spouse is a Spanish citizen, you can apply for Spanish citizenship together. This is a fast and convenient way to obtain Spanish citizenship for both parties. This route is especially useful for foreigners who wish to move to Spain, but don’t have Spanish parents or children.

Applicants must provide documentation including a clean criminal record from their home country or countries of residence, and birth certificates for the children of the couple. They must also register with the social security system as local residents. This is a very good way of gaining access to benefits such as free healthcare and education, as well as social care in some areas.

Citizenship by descent

Alternatively, you can claim Spanish nationality through your grandparents on the basis of your ancestry. This is a relatively quick process, and it can be beneficial for families where one or both grandparents were born in Spain.

It’s important to note, however, that you must be able to prove the special connection you have to Spain by showing special connections to Spanish culture and history. This can include links to Sephardic culture or knowledge of the Judeo-Spanish language, among other things.

You should also be sure to have a full passport to accompany your application. This will give you more confidence that you can get your application approved.

The process can take up to 2 years and you must apply for your citizenship at the Consulate General of Spain in your home country. You can also contact a Spanish immigration lawyer to help you through the process.

If you are a national of a country with which Spain has signed a dual citizenship agreement, you can also apply for Spanish citizenship by this route. Several foreigners from Latin American and European countries have done this and are now citizens of Spain.

Another option is to become a citizen of Spain by choice. If you want to gain Spanish citizenship by this route, you must be over 18 years old and you must have a Spanish wife or partner as your sponsor.

This is a relatively fast and easy route to get Spanish citizenship, but you must make sure that the legalities of your case are handled properly. It’s worth contacting an immigration lawyer to ensure you have the best chance of success, as this is an extremely complex area.