Spanish Citizenship
Have you lived in Spain for a while, and now want to apply for Spanish Citizenship?
Our Immigration lawyers can help you to get a Spanish passport.
Experts in Obtaining Spanish Citizenships
Spanish citizenship is regulated by the Spanish Civil Code and the Royal Decree 1004/2015, of 6th November, approving the regulations governing the procedure for the acquisition of Spanish nationality by residence.
There are several ways to acquire Spanish nationality.
The main ways to obtain Spanish citizenship are by residence, by marriage, by descent, or by option, and recently by Sephardic origin.
Our English speaking Immigration lawyers can help you choose the best option to get a Spanish Passport.
obtained Spanish Citizenship by origin
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Spanish Citizenship By Origin
The main way to acquire Spanish nationality is by origin. Those of Spanish origin are:
- Those born to a Spanish father or mother.
- Those born in Spain who are the children of non-Spanish parents if at least one of their parents was born in Spain (except for children of diplomats).
- Those born in Spain to non-Spanish parents, if both have no nationality (status of stateless persons) or if the legislation of neither grants, nationality to the child. In this case a form can be submitted at the local Civil Registry of your place of residence to declare Spanish nationality based on mere assumption.
How can we help you?
- Offer tailored leal assistance
- Help you gather the necessary documents.
- Arrange meetings with the Spanish authorities on your behalf.
- Prepare the application forms.
- Follow the application until it is resolved.
- Assist in getting a Spanish Passport and DNI.
Spanish Citizenship By Option
Is your father or Mother Spanish by origin?
If so, you have the option to apply for the Spanish nationality without living in Spain.
Spanish Nationality is by option is the second method of acquiring the Spanish Passport.
The following people have the right to acquire Spanish nationality by option:
1. Those who are or have been subject to the parental authority of a Spanish national.
2. Those whose father or mother was Spanish or born in Spain.
3. Those whose adoption by Spanish nationals occurred after reaching 18 years of age.
How to get the Spanish citizenship by option
How long does the Spanish nationality application process take?
Applications submitted in Spain will take around 6 months, whereas applications submitted at the Spanish consulate should take between 4 and 8 months.
The final step of the Spanish citizenship, after the approval of the application, is the JURA of the Spanish Constitution and Monarchy. Then, after a couple of months you will be able to collect your Spanish Birth Certificate and proceed with the expedition of your Spanish passport and ID.
Marfour International Law Firm will:
- Offer tailored legal assistance.
- Help you gather the necessary documents.
- Arrange meetings with the Spanish Consulate on your behalf.
- Prepare the application forms.
- Follow the application until it is resolved.
- Assist in getting a Spanish Passport and DNI.
Do not hesitate to contact Marfour International Law Firm. Our Spanish Immigration lawyers will be glad to assist you with the whole process.
We can handle your Spanish citizenship application on your behalf.

obtained Spanish Citizenship by residence
assisted Clients
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Spanish Citizenship By Residence
The third and most common way to obtain Spanish Citizenship is after living a long time in Spain.
This method of acquiring Spanish nationality requires continued legal residence in Spain for ten years immediately prior to the application.
However, there are cases in which the required period of residence can be reduced, as you can see below:
- Five years: for those who have obtained refugee status.
- Two years: for nationals of Ibero-American countries, Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea, Portugal, or persons of Sephardic origin.
- One year: for the following cases:
- Those born in Spanish territory.
- Those who have not exercised their right to Spanish nationality by option.
- Those, who, at the time of the application, have been married for one year to a Spanish national and are not legally separated and have not had a common-law separation.
- The widower or widow of a Spanish national, if, at the time of the death of the spouse, they were not separated personally or legally.
- Those born outside Spain to a Spanish father or mother (also born outside Spain), grandfather or grandmother, if all were originally Spanish.
How can I get Spanish Citizenship, and what are the main requirements?
 According to Law 1004/2015, approved on 7 November 2015, the applicant for Spanish Citizenship by Residence should pass DELE A2´s Exam (Language exam) and CCSE (Cultural test). Both exams are organized by Instituto Cervantes. There are some cases where applicants do not need to pass these exams. Check with our expert lawyers in Madrid or Barcelona in order to have more information.
1. The application can only be submitted online to the Dirección General de los Registros y del Notariado.
2. The Ministry has up to one year to respond to your application.
However, the administration can take more time in total to resolve a Spanish citizenship application by residence.
In all cases, it is possible to make the administration resolve your application quickly and get Spanish citizenship approval in one and a half years.
What are the required documents needed to apply for Spanish citizenship?
Each one of the 4 options has its own list of documents and requirements. Contact our legal advisers to find out which documents you will need for your application.
obtained Spanish Citizenship by Naturalisation
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Spanish Citizenship by Naturalization letter
Finally, the fourth option of acquiring Spanish nationality is by naturalization. This method is ex-gratia and is not subject to the general rules of administrative procedure. It shall be granted, or not, at the discretion of the Government by Royal Decree, after an evaluation of exceptional circumstances.
Our Immigration lawyers in Spain can help you apply for Spanish Citizenship by naturalization Letter.
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MARFOUR IS READY TO ASSIST YOU WITH YOUR SPANISH CITIZENSHIP
Contact us and Marfour International Law Firm will assist you to obain your Spanish Citizenship. One of our specialized English speaking lawyers will contact you immediately to help you and advise you. Do not hesitate to send us your enquire.
Phone: +34 698 917 840
C/ de Bailèn, 36, 4º 2ª Izda, 08010 Barcelona
