Minimum residence period for Spanish nationality

The minimum residence period required to apply for Spanish nationality varies depending on the applicant’s country of origin and personal circumstances. Here’s a detailed breakdown:

1. General Requirement: 10 Years

• Most foreign nationals must legally reside in Spain for at least 10 years before applying for Spanish nationality.
• The residence must be continuous and legal during this period.

2. Reduced Residence Periods

a. Five Years

• If the applicant has been granted refugee status in Spain, they can apply for nationality after just 5 years of continuous legal residence.

b. Two Years

• Citizens from Ibero-American countries, Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea, and Portugal qualify for Spanish nationality after 2 years of legal residence.
• This rule also applies to individuals of Sephardic Jewish descent (people of Spanish-Jewish heritage).
• Ibero-American countries include: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, Uruguay, and Venezuela.

c. One Year

The shortest period required is 1 year, applicable in specific cases:

• Individuals born in Spain but not automatically granted Spanish nationality at birth.
• Foreign nationals who have been married to a Spanish citizen for at least one year (as long as they are not legally separated).
• Widows or widowers of Spanish nationals, provided they were not legally separated at the time of the spouse’s death.
• Children or grandchildren of Spanish nationals by birth (even if born abroad).
• People who have been under legal guardianship (tutela) or foster care (acogimiento) by a Spanish national or institution for at least two years.

Additional Requirements

• The applicant must pass the CCSE test (Constitutional and Sociocultural Knowledge of Spain) and, if applicable, the DELE A2 exam (Spanish language proficiency test).
• They must demonstrate good civic conduct and integration into Spanish society.
• The application is processed by the Ministry of Justice, and approval can take between 1 to 3 years after submission.

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