Nacionalidad española por residencia
Apply for Spanish nationality by residence
Apply for Spanish nationality after the Civil Code residence period that applies to you and after meeting the conduct, integration and procedural requirements.
- Who it is for
- EU and non-EU citizens
- Legal deadline
- after the applicable qualifying residence period
- How long it takes
- statutory maximum 1 year for resolution/notification; later oath/registration steps are separate
- Cost
- current Justice fee plus exam/document costs where applicable
- Where
- Online · Ministerio de Justicia / Registro Civil
Steps
- Identify the Civil Code residence period that applies to the applicant and confirm the residence is legal, continuous and immediately prior to application.boe.es
- Complete the CCSE/DELE requirements or document the relevant exemption/dispensation.examenes.cervantes.es
- Prepare the nationality application, fee and supporting civil/criminal/residence documents and submit through the Justice procedure.sede.mjusticia.gob.es
- After a grant, complete the Civil Code art. 23 declarations and registration steps within the applicable post-grant period.boe.es
That is the whole procedure
If you would rather go through yours with someone, describe it to NEXO first. You will find out what applies to you, and whether you need a person.
What to bring
- Current residence/identity/civil-status and criminal-record documentation required by the Justice procedure.sede.mjusticia.gob.es
- CCSE and, where required, DELE A2-or-higher evidence or exemption/dispensation evidence.examenes.cervantes.es
- Proof of the current 790-026 fee payment.sede.mjusticia.gob.es
What the official sources say
The general nationality-by-residence period is 10 years, not five; the Civil Code provides the 5-, 2- and 1-year reduced categories.boe.es
One one-year category applies to a person married to a Spanish national for one year at application and not legally or de facto separated, subject to the full statutory conditions.boe.es
Real Decreto 1004/2015 sets a maximum one-year period to resolve and notify the nationality-by-residence procedure.boe.es
Spain's Civil Code generally includes a declaration of renunciation, with statutory exceptions; do not tell every applicant that Spain never requires it.boe.es
What we see in practice
NEXO's own observations. They are not official information and carry no source.
- Separate the statutory decision clock from the end-to-end journey; post-grant oath/Registro Civil steps can add operational time.
Questions people ask
How many years do I need?
The general period is 10 years, with the specific reduced categories in Civil Code art. 22.boe.es
Do I need DELE and CCSE?
Generally the procedure uses CCSE and DELE A2-or-higher, but exemptions/dispensations apply; nationals by origin of Spanish-speaking countries can be exempt from DELE under the current rules.examenes.cervantes.es
Can I keep my previous nationality?
Do not give a blanket answer. Check Civil Code art. 23 and the applicant's nationality/category.boe.es
What gets it refused or delayed
- The qualifying residence period/continuity, conduct/integration or required documentation is not established.sede.mjusticia.gob.es
Does any of this sound like you?
- Residence continuity, reduced-period eligibility, criminal history, renunciation/dual-nationality consequences or a prior refusal is unclear.
Cases like these need an immigration lawyer. Describe yours to NEXO first, so you know what to ask and what to bring.