What Spanish citizenship costs in total

Terms used

• Modelo 790 — The modelo 790 is the Spanish payment form for state fees, used with a code for each procedure.
• CCSE — The CCSE is the Spanish constitution and culture test that most nationality applicants must pass.
• DELE A2 — The DELE A2 is the basic-level Spanish language exam for nationality applicants.
• Antecedentes penales — The antecedentes penales is the Spanish criminal record certificate.

Key rules

• State fee: Pay the state fee with modelo 790 código 026 and check the current amount first, because it is updated yearly.
• CCSE exam: The CCSE exam costs 85 euros.
• Language exam: If Spanish is an official language in your country, you do not need the DELE A2.
• Records and translations: Foreign certificates, apostilles and sworn translations can be your largest variable costs, so price them before you order.

What you will pay

Your main fixed costs are the state fee and the knowledge exam. The rest depends on where you come from and which documents you need. Add up each item below, and use the calculator below to estimate your total.

The state fee

You pay the state fee with modelo 790 código 026. It was 104.05 euros in 2025. It is updated every year, so check the current amount in the modelo 790 instructions before you pay. The fee is per applicant, so each family member who applies pays their own.

You can pay online through the Ministry's payment portal with a card or account debit. You can also pay at a participating bank. Keep the receipt, because you attach it to your application.

The exams

CCSE (the Spanish culture and constitution test). It costs 85 euros. You pay when you register on the Cervantes portal. The fee is set by Instituto Cervantes, so confirm it at registration.

DELE A2 (the Spanish language exam). It cost about 124 euros in Spain in 2025. Each exam centre sets its own price, and prices change yearly. Ask your centre for the current price and how to pay.

Who can skip an exam

• If Spanish is an official language in your country, you do not need the DELE A2. You normally sit only the CCSE.
• If you finished Spanish compulsory schooling (ESO) or similar, you are exempt from the language exam. If you can show Spanish schooling, you may also be exempt from the CCSE.
• If you cannot read or write, or have a learning disability, you may be exempt or get an adapted test. You need proof from a tutor or an authority.
• Minors and people with disabilities may be exempt or get adaptations.
• Nationals of Sahrawi origin may be treated as Spanish speakers.

Fee waivers at Instituto Cervantes are rare. Some people with disabilities can get a reduction. Exemptions depend on your case, so check with the Ministry or Instituto Cervantes and gather your proof early.

Criminal record certificates

Prices vary widely by country. Some countries issue the certificate free or for a small fee. Others charge a moderate amount. You need one from each country that requires it.

Many countries also charge for an apostille on the certificate. This is normally a small to moderate amount.

Your Spanish criminal record certificate (antecedentes penales) costs a small administrative fee. You pay it with modelo 790 código 006.

Sworn translations

Any foreign certificate not in Spanish needs a sworn translation. These are usually priced per page. With several documents, this can be one of your biggest costs. Get a price for each document before you order.

Budget in this order

1. Add the state fee and the CCSE fee.
2. Add the DELE A2, unless you are exempt.
3. Ask each issuing authority what your certificate and apostille cost.
4. Get translation quotes per page.
5. Add the Spanish certificate fee.

The checklist and document list below cover each step.

Documents you need

• Foreign criminal record certificate from each country you need one for, issued by that country's authority (free or low cost in some countries, a moderate amount in others).

• Apostille on each foreign criminal record certificate, where the issuing country charges for it (normally a small to moderate amount).

• Sworn translation into Spanish of each foreign certificate not already in Spanish, usually priced per page.

• Spanish criminal record certificate (antecedentes penales), which costs a small administrative fee paid with modelo 790 código 006.

Costs of foreign records vary by country, so check the price with the issuing authority and your translator.

Checklist

• Keep the payment receipt to attach to your application.

• Budget 85 euros for the CCSE exam and pay it when you register on the Cervantes portal.

• Ask your exam centre for the current DELE A2 price (about 124 euros in Spain in 2025), unless you are exempt.

• Check whether you are exempt from the language exam or the CCSE, and gather the proof you need.

• Ask each issuing authority what your foreign criminal record certificate and its apostille cost.

Estimate your total citizenship cost

Work it out

What you enter

• Number of people applying (people): Count everyone who files their own application, including adults and minors.
• People who must sit the CCSE exam (people): Count applicants who are not exempt, based on your schooling and nationality.
• People who must sit the DELE A2 exam (people): Count applicants who are not exempt; nationals of Spanish-speaking countries do not sit it.
• DELE A2 fee at your exam centre (EUR): The price listed by your exam centre or Instituto Cervantes when you register.
• Foreign criminal record certificates needed in total (certificates): Count one per applicant for each country where you lived, as the issuing authority requires.
• Cost of one foreign certificate (EUR): The fee on the issuing authority's website or its quote.
• Cost of one apostille (EUR): The fee quoted by the office that issues apostilles in that country.
• Sworn translation cost for all documents (EUR): Quotes from sworn translators, priced per page.
• Spanish criminal record certificates needed (certificates): Needed only if the file asks for one; enter 0 if not.
• Fee for a lawyer or agent, if you use one (EUR): The written quote from your lawyer or agent; enter 0 if you file alone.

Figures used

• State fee per applicant (modelo 790 código 026): 104.05 EUR (as of 2025; check the current figure before you rely on it)
• CCSE exam fee per person: 85 EUR (as of 2025; check the current figure before you rely on it)

Worked example (with Number of people applying 2 people, People who must sit the CCSE exam 2 people, People who must sit the DELE A2 exam 1 people, DELE A2 fee at your exam centre 124 EUR, Foreign criminal record certificates needed in total 2 certificates, Cost of one foreign certificate 20 EUR, Cost of one apostille 15 EUR, Sworn translation cost for all documents 150 EUR, Spanish criminal record certificates needed 0 certificates, Fee for a lawyer or agent, if you use one 0 EUR)

When the sum misleads

• The Spanish certificate is paid with modelo 790 código 006 and is a small administrative fee; add it to the help or translation line if you need it.
• If you are exempt from an exam, enter fewer people for that exam; nationals of Spanish-speaking countries usually sit only the CCSE.
• Certificate and apostille prices vary widely by country, so use the issuing authority's own quote rather than the example.

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to pay for the DELE A2 exam if I come from a Spanish-speaking country?

No, nationals of countries where Spanish is an official language are exempt from the DELE A2 language exam. You normally still sit the CCSE, the Spanish culture and society test. This saves you the language exam fee.

How much does the DELE A2 exam cost?

The DELE A2 exam cost about 124 euros in Spain in 2025. The price differs by exam centre and country, so ask your centre for the current figure. You pay the exam centre or Instituto Cervantes.

Can I get the exam fees waived if I have a disability?

Fee waivers from Instituto Cervantes are rare, but some people with disabilities can get a reduction. Adapted tests or exemptions may also be possible, with proof from a tutor or authority. Ask the Ministry or Instituto Cervantes what proof they want.

Which costs for criminal record certificates can be large?

The biggest costs are usually the apostille and the sworn translation into Spanish. Translations are normally priced per page, so a long certificate costs more. Spain's own certificate costs a small fee, paid with modelo 790 código 006.