SPANISH NATIONALITY
The process for applying for Spanish Nationality is obviously more complex.
Unless you have Spanish heritage, & therefore possibly have the right to Spanish nationality that way,
for most British citizens, Spanish nationality can be acquired after continuous legal residency of 10 years.
There are some exceptions though which mean nationality can be applied for after a year:
a) If you were born in Spain. If a child is born in Spain nationality can be applied for by the parents on the child’s behalf once s/he is a year old & still resident in Spain.
b)
A child who is in the legal care of the state or a Spanish citizen.
c) If you are married to a Spanish citizen you can apply for Spanish nationality after a year of
marriage.
d)
The widow or widower of a Spanish citizen.
To apply as an adult, the following documentation is required:
• Completed application form
• Resident card / certificate
• Birth certificate
• Marriage certificate if married
• Proof of payment of the fee. The fee is 100€
• Certificado de antecedentes penales del Registro Central de penados. This is a check that you
have no criminal record. You can apply online here https://sede.mjusticia.gob.es/cs/Satellite/
Sede/es/tramites/certificado-antecedentes
• Criminal record check from country of birth.
• Padrón certificate
• Diplomas from the Instituto Cervantes. *
*You need two diplomas from the Instituto Cervantes.
One is a kind of ‘Life in Spain’ test to prove integration. You can practice for this here. Spanish Nationality
Test
The other is a test of your Spanish language ability. The minimum level required is DELE A2. Click for
a Sample Paper A2 level . More information about registering to take the exam DELE
As always, any paperwork not originally issued in Spanish will need to be translated by a traductor
jurado & apostilled.
For more information or if the application is for someone under the age of 18, follow this link for more
specific information.
It’s in Spanish of course, but then you need to speak Spanish in order to apply!
If you are applying on behalf of a child & don’t think your Spanish is up to it, here it is in English
Applications can be made online Nacionalidad por residencia - internet or in person .