Years to Spanish citizenship: 10, 5, 2 or 1

In brief

10 years of legal, continuous residence immediately preceding the application: the general rule of Article 22 of the Código Civil [1].
5 years for refugees; 2 years for nationals of Ibero-American countries, Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea and Portugal, and for Sephardic Jews. Citizens of Russia, Belarus, Ukraine and Kazakhstan are not on this list [1].
1 year is enough for, among others, people born in Spain, people married to a Spanish citizen for at least a year and not legally or de facto separated, widows and widowers, and people born abroad to a father, mother, grandfather or grandmother who were originally Spanish [1].
Besides the period of residence you need good civic conduct and a sufficient degree of integration, the DELE exam at A2 or above and the CCSE (Instituto Cervantes), a fee of €104.05 (according to the Ministry of Justice page as of 2 October 2026), and an oath with renunciation of your previous citizenship where this is required [1][2][3][4].
A decision takes up to 1 year from the date the application reaches the Ministry of Justice; silence means refusal [2].

How many years must you live in Spain to get citizenship?

The general rule is 10 years. Article 22 of the Código Civil requires residence to be legal, continuous and immediately preceding the application [1]. Citizenship by residence is granted by the Minister of Justice, who may refuse it on reasoned grounds of public order or national interest [1]. You have to show good civic conduct and a sufficient degree of integration [1].

Who qualifies with a shorter period?

Period	Who	Legal basis
5 years	People granted refugee status	Article 22.1 [1]
2 years	Nationals of origin of Ibero-American countries, Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea and Portugal, and Sephardic Jews	Article 22.1 [1]
1 year	People born in Spain; people who did not exercise their right of option in time; people under the guardianship of a Spanish citizen or institution for two consecutive years; people married to a Spanish citizen for a year and not separated; widows and widowers; people born abroad to a father, mother, grandfather or grandmother who were originally Spanish	Article 22.2 [1]

Article 22 contains no country-based concession for citizens of Russia, Belarus, Ukraine and Kazakhstan: the general period applies to them unless another case on the list fits [1].

What does “legal, continuous and immediately preceding” residence mean?

The law does not define these words, but it requires all three conditions to be met [1]. Which stages of stay count as residence, a study estancia for example, is decided by practice, not by the text of Article 22. We found no official list of periods that count, so you should show your history of statuses and any gaps between them to a legal professional before applying. Filing a renewal on time keeps the permit in force until a decision is made (Article 200 of the Reglamento), and this helps avoid a gap [5].

What do you need once you have completed the required period?

The procedure is set by Real Decreto 1004/2015: the application is filed electronically through the Ministry of Justice system, together with a birth certificate from your country of origin with legalisation and translation, your passport, a criminal record certificate and integration documents [2][3]. You must pass two Instituto Cervantes exams: DELE at A2 or above and the CCSE (knowledge of the Constitution and of social and cultural life) [2][3]. Citizens of the 20 countries listed in Orden JUS/1625/2016 are exempt from the DELE; CIS countries are not on that list [3].

The CCSE has 25 questions and lasts 45 minutes; to pass you need 15 correct answers out of 25 [6]. Registration has cost €85 since 2023 and gives you two attempts if you fail or do not show up [7]. The certificate is valid for four years [8].
According to the Ministry of Justice, the citizenship fee is €104.05 (with the caveat that the amount is revised under the budget law) [4].
Decision time: up to one year from when the application is received; silence means refusal [2].
After a favourable decision, within 180 days you must appear before the encargado of the Registro Civil (according to the Ministry of Justice, the oath can also be taken before a notary), swear or promise allegiance to the King and the Constitution, declare that you renounce your previous citizenship where this is required, and apply for registration [1][2]. Article 23 exempts nationals of Ibero-American countries, Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea and Portugal, and Sephardic Jews, from the renunciation requirement [1].

How renouncing your previous citizenship fits with the law of your country is decided by that law; check it before applying.

What depends on your case

We do not know how many years of your history will count: a study estancia, arraigo, temporary protection and gaps between permits are assessed differently. We did not find the real processing time in official data. Comparison with a residence permit and permanent residence: residence permit or citizenship, residence permit or permanent residence. The full application procedure for citizens of Russia and the CIS: Spanish citizenship by residence, exams: CCSE and DELE A2. You can check your period and status in a consultation: renewal and permanent residence; to avoid gaps in residence, use the route card “Residence permit renewal”.

Frequently asked questions

How many years do you need to live in Spain to get citizenship?

As a general rule, 10 years of legal, continuous residence immediately before applying (Article 22 of the Código Civil). For refugees 5 years is enough; for nationals of Ibero-American countries, Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea and Portugal, and for Sephardic Jews, 2 years; in certain cases 1 year, for example after at least a year of marriage to a Spanish citizen [1].

Is there a shorter period for citizens of Russia, Belarus or Ukraine?

No. Article 22 has no country-based concession for citizens of Russia, Belarus, Ukraine and Kazakhstan: the general period of 10 years applies unless another case on the list fits, for example marriage to a Spanish citizen for at least a year or refugee status. Which of your years will count towards the 10 depends on your history; this is worth checking with a lawyer [1].

Do you have to sit exams for Spanish citizenship?

Yes: DELE at A2 or above and the CCSE at the Instituto Cervantes. Citizens of the 20 countries listed in the order are exempt from the DELE; CIS countries are not among them. The CCSE consists of 25 questions and lasts 45 minutes; you need 15 correct answers. The CCSE certificate is valid for four years; the DELE diploma does not expire [3][6][8].

How much does Spanish citizenship cost?

According to the Ministry of Justice page as of 2 October 2026, the citizenship fee is €104.05, and the amount may be revised by the budget law. Registration for the CCSE has cost €85 since 2023 and gives two attempts. The cost of the DELE A2, translations and the apostille has to be checked separately [4][7].

How long does a citizenship application take?

A decision takes up to a year from when the application reaches the Ministry of Justice (Real Decreto 1004/2015); if there is no decision, the application is deemed rejected by silence. We did not find the average actual processing time in official data, and the figures on blogs vary. It is better to plan for the whole year and longer, without relying on promises of “a few months” [2].

Do you have to give up your previous citizenship?

Yes, Spanish law requires you to declare that you renounce your previous citizenship (Article 23 of the Código Civil). The exception covers nationals of Ibero-American countries, Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea and Portugal, and Sephardic Jews. The oath and the declaration are made within 180 days of the decision. The consequences under your own country’s law are determined there; find them out before applying [1][2].

Official sources

Sources reviewed on 02.10.2026. Consolidated texts and government reference pages are for information only: applying the law depends on official publications, amendments and the specific circumstances. Reviewed by lawyer Francisco Romero Jiménez (ICAB 33641) on 21.10.2026.

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ReloVictory · Sources reviewed 02.10.2026 · Not a substitute for individual legal advice.

How many years to Spanish citizenship: 10, 5, 2 or 1 year

How many years must you live in Spain to get citizenship?

Who qualifies with a shorter period?

What does “legal, continuous and immediately preceding” residence mean?

What do you need once you have completed the required period?

What depends on your case

Frequently asked questions

Official sources

Turn the information into questions.

How does this apply to you?

How many years must you live in Spain to get citizenship?

Who qualifies with a shorter period?

What does “legal, continuous and immediately preceding” residence mean?

What do you need once you have completed the required period?

What depends on your case

Frequently asked questions

Official sources

Turn the information into questions.

Related articles

How does this apply to you?