- A residence permit is an authorisation to reside (residencia). It is issued by the immigration authorities, it can be temporary or indefinite (larga duración), and it can end on the grounds set out in the law [1]. Citizenship is nationality; on the basis of residence it is granted by the Minister of Justice [2].
- Citizenship by residence generally requires 10 years of legal and continuous residence in Spain before you apply. Under special conditions the period is shorter [2].
- You need to pass DELE at level A2 or higher and the CCSE, swear an oath and declare that you renounce your previous citizenship, unless you fall under the exceptions (article 23 Código Civil) [2][3].
- A Spanish citizen is also an EU citizen. They can move and live freely in the countries of the Union and vote in European Parliament elections and in local elections where they live [4].
- Acquired citizenship is lost only in the cases set out in the law. For example, if for three years the person uses only the nationality they renounced (article 25) [2].
How does a residence permit differ from citizenship?
A residence permit allows you to live in the country; citizenship means belonging to the state. A residence permit is issued by the oficina de extranjería or the UGE. Citizenship is granted by the Minister of Justice on application, and you can only apply once you have completed the required period of legal residence [1][2][3].
| Feature | Residence permit (residencia) | Citizenship |
|---|---|---|
| Who grants it | Immigration authorities (oficina de extranjería, UGE) [1] | Minister of Justice [2] |
| Residence period | Temporary permit for up to five years; larga duración after five years of residence [1] | 10 years as a rule; 5, 2 or 1 year in special cases [2] |
| Exams | Not required [1] | DELE A2 or higher and CCSE [3] |
| Previous citizenship | Kept | Must be renounced, except by nationals of Ibero-American countries, Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea, Portugal and Sephardic Jews [2] |
| Status can end | Yes: under the law and if the conditions are not met [1] | Acquired citizenship is lost only in the cases in article 25 [2] |
| Elections and access to EU rights | Rights depend on the type of permit and the Reglamento [1] | EU citizenship: freedom of movement, voting in European Parliament and local elections [4] |
What does Spanish citizenship give you?
With Spanish nationality a person also gets the status of a citizen of the Union: citizenship of any member state gives it automatically. This means the right to move and live freely within the countries of the Union and to vote in European Parliament elections and in local elections where they live [4]. A residence permit does not carry this set of rights. A resident remains a foreigner in Spain, and their permit depends on the conditions set by law [1].
What does citizenship require that a residence permit does not?
Period: 10 years of legal and continuous residence immediately before the application, unless yours is one of the reduced-period cases [2]. In detail: how many years until citizenship and Spanish citizenship by residence. How the procedure works: electronic filing, Instituto Cervantes exams (DELE A2 and CCSE), documents on identity, criminal record and integration [3]. After the decision, within 180 days you swear the oath and, where required, declare that you renounce your previous citizenship [2][3].
Spanish law requires you to renounce your previous citizenship, but what that means under the laws of your country is for your country to decide. This article does not cover it; check before you apply.
Can a Spanish citizen lose their citizenship?
Citizenship obtained by residence is lost only in the cases set out in the law. Article 25 of the Código Civil names two: using only the nationality you declared you renounced for three years, and voluntarily serving in a foreign army or holding political office abroad against an express prohibition by the government. In addition, if a court finds forgery, concealment or fraud in obtaining citizenship, the acquisition is declared void; a claim can be brought within 15 years [2]. Different rules apply to Spaniards by origin, under article 24 [2].
Do you need long-term residence before citizenship?
Article 22 requires legal residence but does not name a specific type of permit [2]. Because of the timelines, larga duración often comes on the way to citizenship, but formally it is not a condition. How the statuses are linked: residence permit or permanent residence. We have not found any direct rules on how particular periods (studies, temporary protection, DNV) are counted.
What to choose: your goal and your country's law decide
If you are not ready or not able to renounce your previous citizenship, a residence permit is the option for you. Citizenship makes sense if you need the rights of an EU citizen and are ready to go through the procedure and accept the consequences of renouncing. We do not know how the law of your country views a second citizenship: check this before you apply and discuss it with a lawyer. Useful pages: renewal and permanent residence and the step-by-step path to long-term status in the “Residence permit renewal” route card.
Frequently asked questions
Can you hold Spanish citizenship and the citizenship of another country?
Which is better: a residence permit or Spanish citizenship?
Do you need to pass exams for citizenship?
After how many years does a residence permit turn into citizenship?
Can you lose Spanish citizenship?
Official sources
- BOE · Real Decreto 1155/2024, articles 60, 175, 182, 200, 201 (types of permits and how they end) ↗
- BOE · Código Civil, articles 21 - 25 (acquisition and loss of citizenship) ↗
- BOE · Real Decreto 1004/2015 and Orden JUS/1625/2016 (procedure and exams) ↗
- European Parliament · The citizens of the Union and their rights ↗
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.