How to Obtain Spanish Citizenship in Record Time

Publicado: 18-03-2025

Obtaining Spanish citizenship is the goal of many people who wish to settle in Spain and access the benefits of the European Union. However, the process can be lengthy and bureaucratic if the right pathway is not chosen.

In this article, we explore the fastest ways to obtain Spanish nationality, key requirements, and the most important aspects of each option.

1. Citizenship by Residence

Citizenship by residence is one of the most commonly used pathways to obtain Spanish nationality. It is based on the period a person has legally and continuously resided in Spain before applying for citizenship.

Timeframes to Obtain Citizenship by Residence

According to the Spanish Civil Code (Article 22), the required residence period varies depending on the applicant`s situation:

• 10 years: For most foreign nationals.
• 5 years: For refugees in Spain.
• 2 years: For nationals of Ibero-American countries, Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea, Portugal, and people of Sephardic origin.
• 1 year: For specific cases, such as those born in Spanish territory, spouses of Spanish citizens, widows/widowers of Spanish citizens (if they were not legally separated at the time of death), or individuals who have been under the guardianship of a Spanish citizen for at least two years.

General Requirements for Citizenship by Residence

• Legal, continuous residence immediately prior to the application.
• Good civic conduct and absence of a criminal record in Spain and the country of origin.
• Passing the Instituto Cervantes exams (CCSE and DELE, if applicable).
• Payment of the application fee.

2. Citizenship by Option: The Alternative for Children of Spanish Nationals

Article 20 of the Civil Code establishes that children of Spanish parents, even if born outside Spain, can access citizenship by option in a straightforward manner. This is one of the fastest and least bureaucratic pathways, provided the application is submitted within the established deadlines. It can be requested until the age of 20 or within the first two years after the applicant`s emancipation.

Benefits of the Foreign Affairs Agreement with the Madrid Bar Association (ICAM)

To facilitate and expedite the processing of nationality by residence, the Madrid Bar Association (ICAM) has signed a collaboration agreement with the General Directorate of Legal Security and Public Faith. This agreement allows registered lawyers to verify documentation, significantly reducing the processing time of nationality applications.

Benefits of the Agreement

• Expedited Verification: Avoids long waiting times in official institutions, as ICAM can directly verify documents.
• Shorter Processing Times: Thanks to this validation, cases can progress more quickly through the nationality application platform.
• Greater Legal Security: Having a specialized lawyer minimizes errors in document submission, preventing requests for additional information that could delay the process.

This agreement represents an excellent opportunity for those seeking to obtain Spanish nationality as quickly as possible, ensuring their application meets all the administrative requirements.

Key Requirements for a Fast-Track Application

For those applying for nationality by residence, meeting certain criteria is crucial to speeding up the process:

• Legal and continuous residence in Spain for the required period.
• Good civic conduct and no criminal record.
• Passing the CCSE (Constitutional and Sociocultural Knowledge of Spain) and DELE (Diploma of Spanish as a Foreign Language) exams. Nationals from Spanish-speaking countries are exempt from the DELE exam.
• Properly prepared and submitted documentation to avoid delays.

Conclusion

Obtaining Spanish nationality quickly is possible if the right pathway is chosen and all requirements are efficiently met. At Gentile Law, we have extensive experience in immigration and Spanish nationality matters, helping our clients secure their citizenship in the shortest possible time.

If you need expert advice, do not hesitate to contact us.

 

Pablo Lanfranchi
pablolanfranchi@gentile.law
+34 604 51 60 52

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