Residence periods
The general rule is ten years (Código Civil, art. 22). Shorter periods apply as follows: five years for those who have been granted refugee status, and two years for nationals of Ibero-American countries, Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea and Portugal, as well as for Sephardic Jews. One year is enough in several cases. For example, you were born in Spain, you have been married to a Spanish citizen for a year and are not separated (including de facto), you are the widow or widower of a Spanish citizen, or you were born abroad to a parent or grandparent who was originally Spanish. The full list of grounds is in art. 22.2 of the Código Civil.
One condition applies to every period: the residence must be "legal, continuada e inmediatamente anterior a la petición" (legal, continuous and immediately before the application). A break in legal status or a long absence can cost you time, so check your timeline before you apply, not after.
Besides the period, the law requires "buena conducta cívica y suficiente grado de integración en la sociedad española" (good civic conduct and a sufficient degree of integration). Integration is shown by the exams. Conduct is checked through criminal record certificates and the opinion of the Ministry of the Interior.
Exams: DELE A2 and CCSE
You need to pass two Instituto Cervantes exams. The first is Spanish at level A2 or higher (the DELE exam). The second is the CCSE, a test of knowledge of the Constitution and Spanish society. The exams are taken in person, although the Instituto Cervantes may also hold them remotely if identity checks are in place.
The CCSE has 25 multiple-choice questions: 15 on the state system and the Constitution, and 10 on culture, history and society. To get the result "APTO" (pass), you must answer at least 15 questions correctly, which is 60 per cent. You have up to 45 minutes. A CCSE certificate is valid for four years from the date the marks record is approved, so do not take the exam too early.
You are exempt from the DELE if you already hold a DELE diploma at level A2 or higher, if you are a citizen of a country listed in the regulation (mostly Spanish-speaking, such as Argentina, Mexico, Colombia, Cuba and Venezuela), or if you hold an official Spanish certificate at level A2 or higher from a public language school and have passed it on to the Instituto Cervantes. Russians, Ukrainians and Belarusians are not on that list. The law exempts minors under 18 from the exams.
Documents
The application is filed electronically on the standard form published on the Ministry of Justice website. You attach your birth certificate from your country of origin, legalised and translated, your passport, proof of integration (exam results, or consent for the Instituto Cervantes to be asked for the data), and the receipt for the fee (tasa). Adults also need a certificate of no criminal record from the country of origin, legalised and translated. For your place of residence, your criminal record in Spain and the immigration database, you can allow the authority to request the data itself or attach the documents: a certificate from the padrón (the municipal register), a certificate from the Registro Central de Penados (the central criminal records register) and your foreigner's card. If a representative files for you, a document proving their authority is needed.
Check the Ministry website for the amount of the fee and the current form. The cost of the exams is not included in the fee.
What happens after you apply
The Ministry requests the mandatory opinion of the Ministry of the Interior on your conduct and on whether you have met your immigration obligations. If your documents have defects, you will receive a request, and you have three months to put them right, otherwise the application is treated as withdrawn. The decision must be examined and notified within one year from the date the application reaches the Directorate-General. If there is no answer within a year, the application is treated as refused (silence means refusal). A refusal can be challenged by reposición (an appeal to the same authority) and then in court (Código Civil, art. 22.5).
A positive decision does not end the procedure. In front of a Registro Civil (civil registry) official you must take an oath or promise of loyalty to the King and of obedience to the Constitution and the laws, declare that you renounce your previous nationality if that is required, and have the entry made in the Registro Civil (Código Civil, art. 23). Citizens of certain countries listed in art. 24 do not have to renounce. After that, the entry is made within five days and the procedure is complete.
FAQ
How many years must I live in Spain to get citizenship?
Ten years under the general rule, reduced to five, two or one year in the cases named in the law.
Do I have to renounce my Russian citizenship?
Spanish law requires you to declare that you renounce your previous nationality, except for the countries named in art. 24 of the Código Civil and for Sephardic Jews. How this renunciation is treated under Russian law is a separate question, and you should find out before you apply.
Which is harder, the DELE or the CCSE?
It depends on you. For the CCSE you need 15 correct answers out of 25 in 45 minutes. For the DELE you need level A2.
How long is a CCSE result valid?
Four years.
How long do I wait for a decision?
The law sets a period of one year. After that, silence means refusal.
Can I apply through a representative?
Yes. The regulation allows an application through a representative with proof of authority.
Is this the same topic as citizenship for children?
No. The rules for children and dual citizenship are covered separately: /nacionalidad-hijos-doble.
Where to start
AUTO PACK for 29€ gives you a step-by-step route, and Full Pro for 149€ supports you in more detail. You can ask a question on WhatsApp: +34743071481.