Spanish Nationality by Residence: Updated Guide for this coming 2025.

Spanish nationality by residence is one of the most common ways to become a Spanish citizen. This process allows foreigners who have lived legally in Spain for a certain period of time to apply for Spanish citizenship. Below, we present the most relevant and updated information on this process.

General Requirements

To apply for Spanish nationality by residence, you must meet the following requirements:

1. Legal and continuous residence in Spain
2. Good citizenship
3. Sufficient degree of integration into Spanish society

Residency Periods

The length of residency required varies depending on the applicant's circumstances:

• 10 years: General rule for most foreigners
• 5 yearsRefugees and asylum seekers
• 2 yearsNationals of Latin American countries, Andorra, Philippines, Equatorial Guinea, Portugal or persons of Sephardic origin.
• 1 yearSpecial cases such as those born in Spanish territory or married to Spaniards.

Knowledge Tests

Applicants must pass two exams:

1. CCSE (Constitutional and Sociocultural Knowledge of Spain)Assesses knowledge of the Spanish Constitution and culture.
2. DELE (Diploma of Spanish as a Foreign Language)Certifies the level of Spanish (minimum A2).

There are exemptions for these tests in specific cases, such as minors or people with disabilities.

Application Process

The procedure is mainly carried out telematically through the platform of the Ministry of Justice. The general steps are:

1. Gather the necessary documentation (birth certificate, criminal record, passport, etc.).
2. Take the CCSE and DELE tests (if applicable)
3. Submit online application
4. Pay the corresponding fees
5. Wait for resolution

Resolution Times

Although times may vary, there have been reported cases of concessions in shorter terms for files submitted in 2024, even being resolved in 2 months in some cases.

Recommendations

• Make sure you meet all the requirements before starting the process.
• Keep your documentation up to date and apostilled when necessary.
• Consider the assistance of specialized professionals to speed up the process and avoid errors.
• Prepare yourself properly for the CCSE and DELE tests.

Spanish Constitutional and Sociocultural Knowledge Test (CCSE)

The CCSE test is a fundamental requirement to obtain Spanish nationality by residence in the vast majority of cases. This evaluation, designed by the Cervantes Institute, measures the knowledge of the Constitution and the social and cultural reality of Spain..

Characteristics of the CCSE test:

• It is conducted in Spanish
• Consists of 25 multiple choice questions
• Duration: 45 minutes
• You need to get at least 15 questions right in order to pass.
• Offered in 10 calls per year

CCSE 2025 Preparation Manual: This document contains all the questions that could appear on the exam. It is essential to study it thoroughly, you can download next year's manual here:

Final recommendations

• Study the CCSE manual thoroughly
• Use the mobile application to practice regularly
• Familiarize yourself with the format of the test using the available template
• Keep up to date with Spanish news, as some questions may be related to recent events.

Obtaining Spanish nationality by residence is a process that requires planning and patience. However, with the right information and good preparation, you can significantly increase your chances of success. Remember that laws and procedures can change, so it is important to stay informed through official sources.

If you want to start your process towards Spanish nationalityWe recommend you to contact us first to schedule a consultation and verify the necessary documentation. Once we have all the required documents, we will proceed with your application for Spanish nationality, you will have the support of a team of lawyers, specialized and with extensive experience in Spanish nationality procedures. Your new life as a Spaniard is just a step away, let us help you make it happen!