Nacionalidad española por residencia
Foreign nationals who have lived in Spain legally, continuously and immediately before applying can be granted Spanish nationality by the Ministry of Justice. The general period is 10 years. It is 5 years for refugees, 2 years for nationals of origin of Ibero-American countries, Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea or Portugal and for Sephardic Jews, and 1 year in some family and birth cases. Applicants must show good civic conduct and integration, normally by passing the Instituto Cervantes DELE A2 and CCSE exams. A grant takes effect only after an oath before the Civil Registry or a notary within 180 days.
Life in Spain
Money
3
Currency
Euro
EUR
Euro
Cost of living
69
Price level · US = 100
World Bank price levels, 2025
Tax
9.5–24.5%
Income tax (national)
VAT 21%
State scale 9.5% to 24.5% (above EUR 300,000) plus a regional scale set by each autonomous community, giving combined rates of roughly 19% to 47% or more.
Living
1
Happiness
#39 of 145 countries
World Happiness Report 2025
Your edge here Members
What gives you an edge here: passports, visas and permits you hold, work, study, language and family ties
Dual citizenship for you Members
Whether this country allows dual citizenship, and what it means for your own passports
Who it’s for
Foreign residents of Spain who meet the residence period for their situation. The 2-year route covers nationals of origin of Ibero-American countries and the other listed countries.
Eligibility
General residence: 10 years
You need 10 years of legal, continuous residence immediately before you apply.
10 years
Residence required
- Residence must be immediately before the application (Civil Code art. 22.1 and 22.3)
Official wording
10 years of legal, continuous residence immediately before the application (Civil Code art. 22.1 and 22.3).
Refugees: 5 yearsRecognised refugees
If you were granted refugee status, you need 5 years of residence.
5 years
Residence required
Official wording
5 years for people granted refugee status (art. 22.1).
Ibero-American and listed countries: 2 yearsIbero-American, Andorran, Filipino, Equatorial Guinean, Portuguese nationals of origin; Sephardic Jews
Nationals of origin of listed countries, and Sephardic Jews, need 2 years of residence.
2 years
Residence required
- Ibero-American countries, Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea or Portugal
Official wording
2 years for nationals of origin of Ibero-American countries, Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea or Portugal, and for Sephardic Jews (art. 22.1).
A sneak peek at what's inside
- Next requirement1-year cases
- Document checklistStandard application form (and power of attorney if represented)
- FeesFee for nationality by residence application (Form 790, code 026)
The full requirements are for members
Create an account and subscribe to see every requirement, the full document checklist, fees, steps, processing times and conditions, and how your profile compares.
- 7 more requirements
- 10 documents
- 1 fee
- 8 steps
- Processing times and conditions
Places to visit in Spain
Attractions picked for you, based on your profile and interests.
Finding places for you…
Official sources
Other routes to Spain
- Visit & tourismSchengen tourist & business visa
- StudyStudent visa and stay permit for studies
- Work permitsAutorización de residencia para profesionales altamente cualificados (Ley 14/2013) - national modality and EU Blue Card
- FamilyTemporary residence authorisation for family reunification
- Investors & entrepreneursVisado y autorización de residencia para teletrabajo de carácter internacional
