How to Obtain Spanish Citizenship in 2025 – Complete Guide by Lawyers in Barcelona
Discover how to obtain Spanish citizenship in 2025. A complete guide with requirements, procedures, and expert legal advice from lawyers in Barcelona.
The Spanish passport is recognized as one of the most prestigious in the world. Gaining Spanish citizenship not only means having the same rights and responsibilities as any other citizen, but also enjoying unique international advantages.
Advantages of the Spanish Passport:
- Freedom of movement in Europe: travel without restrictions across the 29 Schengen countries with just your national ID card, plus access to Norway, Switzerland, and Iceland.
- Global visa-free access: with 192 countries on the list, the Spanish passport grants entry to almost the entire world, making it a key tool for frequent travelers, entrepreneurs, and investors.
- Right to vote and stand for election: at general, regional, local, and European elections in Spain.
- Access to all public sector jobs: including law enforcement, judiciary, military, diplomacy, and other government positions.
- Full access to scholarships, grants, and civil service exams reserved exclusively for Spanish citizens.
- Automatic transmission of citizenship to children, ensuring they are Spanish from birth.
- Consular and diplomatic protection abroad: in countries where Spain has no embassy, Spaniards can receive assistance at embassies of other EU countries.
- No more residence renewals: citizenship permanently removes the need to renew visas or residence permits.
- Preferential access to banking and financial services: Spanish citizens often benefit from easier access to mortgages and loans, better financing conditions, and housing support programs reserved for nationals.
For these reasons, more and more people are looking for information on how to obtain Spanish citizenship and what steps are required to secure a Spanish passport.
Requirements for Spanish Citizenship in 2025
Before starting the application process, it is essential to meet the basic requirements:
- Legal and continuous residence in Spain for the required period.
- Social and cultural integration, demonstrated through the official exams.
- No criminal record in Spain, the European Union, or the country of origin.
These requirements vary depending on the type of application, which we explain below.
Routes to Spanish Citizenship
Citizenship by Residence
The most common route. In general, 10 years of legal and continuous residence in Spain are required, except in special cases.
Spanish Citizenship by Residence
Case | Required Residence Period | Notes |
Citizens of Ibero-American countries, Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea, Portugal, or people of Sephardic origin | 2 years | Reduced period thanks to historical and cultural agreements with Spain |
Spouses of Spaniards, people born in Spain, or children of foreign parents born in Spain | 1 year | Applies regardless of the applicant’s nationality |
Citizens of the European Union, non-EU European countries (including those of the former Yugoslavia), and the rest of the world | 10 years | General requirement for those who do not fall under the previous categories |
Citizenship by Marriage
It is important to note that there is no such thing as citizenship directly through marriage to a Spanish national. What does exist, however, is the possibility of reducing the residence requirement to just one year of legal stay in Spain, provided you have been married to a Spanish citizen during that year.
This makes marriage to a Spaniard one of the most common routes to citizenship. In other words, this option allows you to apply for Spanish citizenship after one year of legal residence in Spain, as long as there is a valid marriage with a Spanish national and no legal (divorce) or de facto separation.
(Important: this does not apply to parejas de hecho — in that case, the general 10-year residence requirement remains in force.)
It is important to stress that the marital bond alone is not enough: the applicant must prove cohabitation in Spain and maintain a regular residence status. In addition, the authorities carefully review the authenticity of the marriage to rule out marriages of convenience.
In this case, the required residence period is much shorter than under the general route, making this a very advantageous option for those who meet the conditions.
Citizenship by Option
The “option” is a benefit granted by Spanish law to foreigners who meet certain family-related conditions, allowing them to acquire Spanish citizenship without having to comply with long residency periods.
Those eligible under this route include:
- Individuals who are, or have been, under the parental authority of a Spanish citizen.
- Those whose father or mother was Spanish and born in Spain.
- Individuals whose Spanish parentage or birth in Spain is recognized after turning 18. In this case, the right to opt must be exercised within two years from the recognition of parentage or birth.
- Persons adopted by Spanish citizens after turning 18. Here too, the right to opt exists within the two years following the legal adoption.
In short, citizenship by option is designed for children of Spaniards, people with direct family ties, or special cases of parentage and adoption. It is a faster and more accessible procedure than citizenship by residence.
Citizenship by Naturalization
Spanish citizenship by naturalization is a discretionary form of acquisition and is not subject to the general rules of administrative procedure. It is granted at the government’s discretion by Royal Decree, after assessing the existence of exceptional circumstances in the applicant.
Some examples of citizenship granted under this route include:
- Individuals who have provided significant services to the Spanish state (scientists, elite athletes, internationally recognized artists).
- Cases involving stateless persons or individuals in situations of particular vulnerability.
- Foreign nationals who, due to historical or cultural ties, have shown a strong commitment to Spain.
- Situations where humanitarian reasons or national interest are present.
This pathway is rare and largely depends on the political and legal assessment made by the Government in each case.
Documentation for Spanish Citizenship
Gathering the required documentation for Spanish citizenship is one of the most important steps. Generally, the following is required:
- Valid passport and residence card.
- Updated certificate of residence (empadronamiento).
- Criminal record certificates (Spain and country of origin).
- Diplomas from the CCSE and DELE exams (where applicable).
- Additional documentation proving the period of legal residence in Spain, such as certificates of entry and exit, employment history reports, Social Security certificates, or any other evidence confirming your stay in the country during the required years.
Each case may require additional documents. An immigration lawyer in Barcelona can help you ensure that your application is complete and accurate before submission.
How to Apply for Spanish Citizenship Step by Step
There are two ways to submit the application:
- Online application: through the Ministry of Justice’s electronic platform, using a digital certificate.
- In-person application: at the Civil Registry or Immigration Office, by appointment.
At XLegalZ Extranjería, we prepare and file your application online, avoiding delays and common mistakes.
Mandatory Exams: CCSE and DELE
Most applicants must pass two exams from the Cervantes Institute:
- DELE Exam A2 or higher: certifies knowledge of the Spanish language (nationals of Spanish-speaking countries are exempt).
- CCSE Exam: evaluates knowledge of Spain’s constitution and sociocultural aspects.
These exams are essential to meet the requirements for Spanish citizenship.
Timeframes for the Spanish Citizenship Process in 2025**
After submitting the application and taking the exams, the waiting period for a decision begins. This period usually ranges from 3 months to 2 years, depending on the workload of the Administration and the complexity of each case.
En XLegalZ Extranjería nos aseguramos de que la documentación esté completa desde el inicio, incluso aportando un número amplio de pruebas cuando es necesario. Así evitamos retrasos derivados de requerimientos de subsanación o solicitudes adicionales de documentos.
La fase de preparación de documentos depende en gran medida de cada cliente, pero trabajamos juntos para recopilar todo lo necesario en el menor tiempo posible y con las máximas garantías.
En el último año la situación ha mejorado, y muchos expedientes están resolviéndose con mayor rapidez que en el pasado.
Why Work with a Specialist Lawyer in Barcelona?
Although many guides explain how to apply for Spanish citizenship, in practice the procedures often become complicated. Errors in documentation, missed deadlines, or incomplete applications can delay the process for years.
A specialist in Spanish nationality law can:
- Review and prepare all documentation.
- Submit the application correctly.
- Monitor the progress of the case.
- Provide guidance at every step until the Spanish passport is obtained.
At XLegalZ Extranjería, a law firm in Barcelona, we help our clients obtain Spanish citizenship quickly and securely.
Whether you need to apply through residence, marriage, option, or naturalization, our team takes care of the entire process—from gathering the required documents to the final resolution.
Book an appointment with our immigration lawyers in Barcelona and start your path to Spanish citizenship today.
Contact us and let us guide you every step of the way until you achieve your goal: becoming a Spanish citizen and obtaining your Spanish passport!
