Nationality by Residence

The Spanish nationality by residence is a right that those persons who have been residing legally in Spain for a certain period of time, generally 10 years of continuous residence, but there are some cases in which this time can be reduced:

Five years of legal residence for the granting of Spanish nationality to those persons who have obtained refugee status.

Two years for nationals of Ibero-American countries, Andorra, Philippines, Equatorial Guinea, Portugal or persons of Sephardic origin.

One year:

• He who was born in Spanish territory.
• The one who did not duly exercise his right to acquire the Spanish nationality by option.
• The one who has been legally subject to the guardianship (under the supervision of a guardian), guardianship or foster care (the foster care that allows the reduction of legal residence to one year is the one in which there is a resolution of the public entity that has in each territory entrusted the protection of minors and the foster care that are judicially recognized) of a Spanish citizen or institution for two consecutive years, even if he/she continues in this situation at the time of the application.
• The one who, at the time of the application, has been married to a Spaniard for one year and is not legally or de facto separated.
  The widow or widower of a Spaniard, if at the time of the death of the spouse they were not separated, in fact or judicially.
  The one born outside Spain of father or mother, (also born outside Spain), grandfather or grandmother, as long as all of them were originally Spanish.
• It is important to emphasize that the required time of residence must be legal and continuous, that is to say, that there cannot be periods of time in which the person has resided illegally in Spain.

Once the required time of residence is fulfilled, the interested person can begin the process of applying for Spanish nationality. This process is initiated by filing an application with the Civil Registry corresponding to his or her place of residence.

In any case, it is important to know all the requirements and procedures necessary to acquire Spanish nationality.

If you need legal advice in this regard, in our law firm we can help you to resolve any doubts and advise you throughout the process.