Spanish nationality

Spanish nationality for foreigners

There are currently several ways to obtain Spanish nationality

HOW CAN I OBTAIN SPANISH NATIONALITY?

Each case will require a personalized analysis, but in general, we have the following ways:

Nationality by residence
This form of acquisition of nationality requires the person's residence in Spain for ten years legally, continuously and immediately prior to the request.
Reduced to two yearsfor nationals of Ibero-American countries, Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea, Portugal or people of Sephardic origin.

Nationality by nature card
This form of acquisition of nationality is ex gratia and is not subject to the general rules of administrative procedure. It will be granted or not at the discretion of the Government by Royal Decree, after assessing the concurrence of exceptional circumstances.

Nationality for Spaniards of origin

Those born to a Spanish father or mother.
Those born in Spain when they are the children of foreign parents if at least one of the parents was born in Spain (the children of diplomats are excepted).

Nationality by state possession
The person who has possessed and used this nationality for ten years, continuously, in good faith (without having knowledge of the real situation, that is to say, that he is not actually Spanish) will have the right to Spanish nationality, based on to a title registered in the Civil Registry.

Nationality by option
The option is a benefit that our legislation offers to foreigners who are in certain conditions, so that they acquire Spanish nationality. They will have the right to acquire Spanish nationality in this way:

Those people who are or have been subject to the parental authority of a Spaniard.
Those people whose father or mother had been Spanish and had been born in Spain.

Nationality by Sephardic origin
After the application deadline on October 1, 2019, the Law 12/2015 allowed to apply for Spanish nationality to the descendants of Sephardic Jews expelled from the Iberian Peninsula in the s. XV. Currently the term is only open for the completion of the process for those who started it before this date. However, the path of Portuguese Nationality by Sephardic Origin, is still open.

A second option is to obtain a residence permit , Especially recommended for those who wish to settle in Spain. This is the case of the Investor Visa, Non-profit residence, visa for highly qualified professionals or student visa.


Learn more about Nationality by Sephardic origin

Democratic Memory Law

Spanish grandchildren law

The Government approved the Draft Bill of Democratic Memory Law that aims to pay tribute to those who had to leave Spain. This Law proposed to allow access to Spanish nationality for descendants born abroad.

Draft Law to grant nationality to descendants of Spaniards born abroad.

Keep reading

Advantages of obtaining Spanish nationality

  1. Right to reside and work in any country of the European Union, extendable to spouses and dependent children.
  2. Take undergraduate or postgraduate courses in European universities, with the fee for EU citizens.
  3. Visa-free entry to countries that do not require a Spanish visa. 165 countries without the need to apply for a visa or additional documents.
  4. Right to Public Health, in case of not having medical coverage in the country of habitual residence.
  5. Protection in Spanish Consulates in other countries.
  6. Access to certain competitions to which as national police, civil guard or army.
  7. Access to public places for nationals as in the case of the MIR.
  8. Right to participate in General Elections.

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