Spanish citizenship

Foreign nationals with resident status in Spain are eligible for Spanish citizenship in case they were living in the country for a certain period:

1. Foreign national is eligible for Spanish citizenship upon 5 years of living in the country on the basis of residence permit and 5 years of living on the basis of permanent residence;
2. Refugees are eligible for Spanish citizenship upon legal residence in the country for at least 5 years;
3. Nationals of Latin American countries are eligible for Spanish citizenship upon 2-year legal residence in the country;
4. The following persons are eligible for Spanish citizenship upon a year of living in Spain:

• Spouse of Spanish national upon 1 year of marriage;
• Children born in Spain;
• Foreign nationals whose guardian is Spanish national or Spanish child protection services for at least 2 years;
• Foreign nationals who failed to properly exercise their right to citizenship by option;
• Foreign nationals who are direct descendants of Spanish nationals;
• Surviving spouse of Spanish national if they were married upon the date of death.

In case a record on alien was lost or canceled in the Registration Authority, the citizen status can still be assigned at the discretion of the government under conditions that the foreign national has legally lived in the country for 10 years and has respected its laws.

Children who were born in Spain or have parents of Spanish nationality:

1. A child born to a Spanish mother or father could acquire Spanish nationality if he or she was born inside the country.
2. A child born to a stateless mother and father could acquire Spanish nationality if he or she was born inside the country.
3. A child born to an unidentified mother and father could acquire Spanish nationality if he or she was born inside the country.
4. Minor children adopted by Spanish nationals (children over 18 years are required to live in new family for the minimum period of 2 years upon application for citizenship).

Foreign nationals can acquire Spanish citizenship by naturalization in case they were caught up in adverse circumstances. Government of Spain considers each application on a case-by-case basis.

Option

Option of citizenship is a procedure under which the choice of citizenship is possible.

1. Aliens whose guardian is a Spanish citizen;
2. Adult foreigners born in Spain or direct descendants of the Spaniards;
3. Aliens whose father or mother is a Spanish national and was born inside the country;
4. Adopted adult foreigners.

• Citizenship application in Spanish;
• Copies of national and international passports;
• Registration document from the Central Aliens Register;
• Birth certificate;
• Child’s birth certificate (in case parents apply for his citizenship);
• Document on the period of residence in Spain;
• Document on financial resources of an alien;
• Certificate of criminal records.

In the process of application and documents consideration an applicant is required to pass Spanish proficiency test, as well as the test on history and culture of the country and knowledge of the Constitution of Spain.

Upon completion of procedures and positive decision of Spanish government an alien is required to renounce his nationality in favor of Spanish one, as Spanish government does not recognize dual citizenship, with rare exceptions. Additionally, an alien must take an oath of loyalty to the Spanish kingdom and the Constitution of Spain.