Citizenship by residence

This Topic is for anyone considering, planning or carrying out a move to Spain who wants to know when they could apply. After reading it, you will know which waiting period applies to you and what else must be true before you apply.

Start with "How many years you need for Spanish citizenship by residence". It helps you find the time requirement that matches your nationality and situation. From there, go to the page for your route:

• "The two-year route for Ibero-American and other special nationalities"
• "One-year routes: born in Spain, guardianship and other cases"
• "Spanish citizenship after marrying a Spaniard"
• "Citizenship for refugees and stateless people"

Everyone should also read "Good civic conduct, criminal records and tax compliance". It explains how past offences, fines, pending cases or tax debts can affect an application.

Residence permits for family of a Spaniard, citizenship by descent or option, and application documents are covered elsewhere.

Key rules

• Waiting periods: The general rule is ten years of legal residence, shortened to five years for refugees, two years for nationals of Ibero-American countries, Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea and Portugal and for Sephardic Jews, and one year for special cases such as marriage to a Spaniard.
• Renouncing nationality: You must swear loyalty to the King and obedience to the Constitution and laws and renounce your previous nationality, unless you are from an Ibero-American country, Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea or Portugal.
• Qualifying residence: Residence must be legal, continuous and immediately before you apply.
• Marriage route: The marriage route needs one year of legal residence and no legal or de facto separation from your Spanish spouse.
• Default period: Most people need ten years of legal residence before applying.
• Shorter tiers: Refugees need five years, Ibero-American, Andorran, Filipino, Equatorial Guinean and Portuguese nationals and Sephardic Jews need two, and special cases such as marriage to a Spaniard need one.

Documents you may need

Identity and residence

• A valid passport from your qualifying country — The two-year route for Ibero-American and other special nationalities
• Your usual residence documents showing one year of legal residence — One-year routes: born in Spain, guardianship and other cases
• The standard proof of legal residence and criminal-record certificates required — Spanish citizenship after marrying a Spaniard

Other documents

• Your birth certificate
• Marriage certificate — One-year routes: born in Spain, guardianship and other cases, Spanish citizenship after marrying a Spaniard
• A criminal record certificate from your country of origin — The two-year route for Ibero-American and other special nationalities
• Court or administrative resolution that placed you under guardianship — One-year routes: born in Spain, guardianship and other cases
• Proof that your spouse held Spanish nationality — One-year routes: born in Spain, guardianship and other cases

Each article lists the other documents it asks for, where you need them.

Citizenship by residence: questions that cross several articles

Do my years as a student count towards the residence period?

Yes, student years can count if your student permit was valid the whole time. Time on a permit without work rights, such as non-lucrative, also counts as legal residence. Short stays on a visa and irregular periods do not count. Read "How many years you need for Spanish citizenship by residence" to see how the periods add up.

Does a gap between permits or a long absence reset my residence?

A short gap between permits is generally tolerated if you filed the renewal, but a long absence from Spain or a lapse in your permit breaks continuity. See How many years you need for Spanish citizenship by residence.

Do I have to give up my current nationality to become Spanish?

Yes, you must renounce your previous nationality and swear loyalty to the King and obedience to the Constitution and laws, unless you are from an Ibero-American country, Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea or Portugal. See How many years you need for Spanish citizenship by residence.

Do Brazilians and Puerto Ricans get the two-year period?

Yes, Brazil counts as Ibero-American, and Puerto Rico is covered by the same rule, so both get two years. Sephardic Jews also qualify for two years.

Can I apply after one year if I married a Spaniard?

Yes, if you have one year of legal, continuous residence just before applying and are not legally or de facto separated from your spouse. You will need the marriage certificate, proof of your spouse's nationality and proof of living together, such as a padrón certificate.

Which other cases get a one-year period besides marriage?

One year also applies if you were born in Spain, were under guardianship or fostering for two consecutive years, are the widow or widower of a Spaniard, or were born abroad to a parent or grandparent who was originally Spanish. Read "One-year routes: born in Spain, guardianship and other cases" to check yours.