Spanish citizenship: residency, option and Democratic Memory Law
Spanish citizenship is the permanent status allowing indefinite residence, work and free circulation in Spain and the Schengen zone. Four main routes exist under Spanish Civil Code: (1) Naturalisation by residency — requires 5 years continuous legal residence (reduced to 2 years for nationals of Iberoamerican countries, Philippines, Portugal, Andorra, and Sephardic descent); (2) Citizenship by option — for persons with Spanish ancestors (children of Spanish parents, grandchildren, etc.); (3) Citizenship by naturalisation letter — exceptional grounds granted by State grace; (4) Democratic Memory Laws and Republican Descendant routes — special provisions for descendants of Civil War exiles and asylees.
The statutory processing time is 1 year from complete file submission to the Ministry of Justice, though actual resolution typically takes 12–24 months due to application volumes. Naturalisation requires demonstration of social integration via language examinations: CCSE (Constitutional and Socio-Cultural Knowledge of Spain) and DELE B1 (Spanish Language Proficiency Certificate, where applicable depending on nationality).
The file must include apostilled certificates from the country of origin (birth, criminal records, etc.), continuous residence documentation (padron records, tax returns), and current Spanish civil registry status.
At Eon Legal, we prepare the complete file: coordinate documentation collection in the country of origin, request certificates and records, register with the Ministry of Justice through the online portal, manage administrative requests, and provide guidance through the oath ceremony before the Civil Registry officer.
Cases we handle
Each file is reviewed individually to choose the most appropriate legal route for the specific case.
- Naturalisation by residency: 5 years (2 years for Iberoamericans, Portuguese, Filipinos, Sephardim)
- Citizenship by option: for children, grandchildren and descendants of Spanish nationals
- Democratic Memory Law: for descendants of Civil War exiles and persecuted Republicans
- Language examinations: CCSE and DELE B1 requirements vary by nationality (some exemptions apply)
- Passport issuance and post-citizenship documentation
What we need to get started
The list is indicative; in the initial consultation we confirm the exact documents required by the applicable legal route.
- Full birth certificate (from Spanish civil registry or apostilled from country of origin)
- Criminal record certificates: Spain (National Police) and country of origin, apostilled
- Proof of continuous legal residence: padron certificates throughout the entire residence period (5 years or claimed period)
- Current padron certificate (maximum 3 months old)
- Income tax returns (últimas 2–3 años de declaración de la renta) as proof of continuous tax residence
- Criminal record documentation from Spain (if applicable)
- For citizenship by option: birth certificate of Spanish ancestor, genealogical documentation (marriage certificates, etc.), Spanish citizenship proof of ascendant
- For Democratic Memory routes: documentation proving persecution or exile (court sentences, internment records, etc.)
- Approved examination certificates: CCSE and DELE B1 (where required) issued by accredited centres
- Statutory declaration of social integration (if requested)
- Valid health insurance in Spain (evidence of continuous social ties)
- Valid passport or travel document
- Documentation for oath ceremony at Civil Registry: valid identity document or passport for attendance
Questions about this service
- How long does Spanish citizenship by residency take to process?
- The statutory processing time is 1 year from complete file submission to the Ministry of Justice, though actual resolution typically takes 12–24 months due to application volumes. Eon Legal actively monitors the file, responds to Ministry requests and manages documentary issues that arise during processing.
- What is the difference between citizenship by residency and citizenship by option?
- Citizenship by residency requires evidencing 5 years of continuous legal residence in Spain (2 years for nationals of Iberoamerican countries, Portugal, Philippines and Sephardic descent) and passing the CCSE and DELE B1 examinations. Citizenship by option is available to persons with Spanish ancestors — children, grandchildren or other descendants of a Spanish parent — without requiring prior residence or language tests in most cases. The documentary requirements and processing timelines differ significantly between the two routes.
- Are the CCSE and DELE B1 examinations compulsory for Spanish citizenship?
- In general yes, but exemptions apply. Nationals of Spanish-speaking countries are exempt from the DELE B1 test (Spanish is already their native language). Persons under 18, individuals with a documented disability that prevents sitting the exams, and those obtaining citizenship by naturalisation letter are exempt from both tests. Eon Legal confirms at the initial consultation whether the applicant is exempt or which tests must be passed.
- What is the Democratic Memory Law and who can apply under it?
- The Democratic Memory Law (Law 20/2022) and its predecessor Law 52/2007 (the Grandchildren Law) establish special routes to Spanish citizenship for descendants of people who suffered exile or persecution during the Spanish Civil War and the Franco dictatorship. Grandchildren and children of Republican exiles, persons stripped of nationality between 1939 and 1978, and other specific categories covered by both laws may be eligible. Eon Legal reviews eligibility and manages the complete file.
You may also be interested in
- 01 — ResidenceSpanish residence permits: employee, self-employed and family reunificationResidence and work permits for employees, self-employed workers, family reunification and long-term residency under Spanish Organic Law 4/2000.→ View service
- 03 — VisasSpanish visas: work, study, non-lucrative and familyWork, study, non-lucrative, entrepreneur and family member visas filed in coordination with Spanish consulates.→ View service
Does your case fit this service? Let's talk.
We review viability, timelines and the required documents in a first, no-obligation consultation. In person in A Coruña and online across Spain.