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Renewal and long-term residence

How many years before becoming a Spanish citizen: 10, 5, 2 or 1 year

Spain ’s citizenship generally requires 10 years of legal continuous residence immediately before the application (art. 22 Código Civil), and it is five years for refugees, two years for nationals of certain countries and two years for sefards, in some cases one year.

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Short
  • 10 years Legal, continuous residence immediately preceding the declaration: general rule of article 22 of the Códico Civil [1].
  • Five years for refugees; two years for citizens of Ibero-American countries, Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea, Portugal and sefards. [1].
  • 1 year is sufficient, including those born in Spain, married to a Spanish citizen for at least a year without separation, widows and widowers and those born abroad to a father, mother, grandfather or grandmother who were originally Spanish [1].
  • In addition to the time frame, good civic behaviour and sufficient integration are required, the DELE examinations are no lower than A2 and CCEE (Instituto Cervantes), the 104.05 I (on the page of the Ministry of Justice on 2 October 2026) and the oath of renunciation of the previous citizenship where required [1][2][3][4].
  • Decision period of up to 1 year from the date of the application to the Ministry of Justice; silence means rejection [2].

How many years does it take to live in Spain for citizenship?

Article 22 Código Civil requires that residence be lawful, continuous and immediately preceded by a declaration [1]Citizenship by the Minister of Justice, who has the right to refuse public order or national interest for reasons of public order [1]. Good civic behaviour and sufficient integration must be demonstrated [1].

Who's short enough?

DurationWhoBasis
5 yearsRefugee statusArticle 22.1 [1]
2 yearsNationals of Ibero-American origin, Andorra, Philippines, Equatorial Guinea, Portugal and sefardamArticle 22.1 [1]
1 yearBorn in Spain; not in time for the option; a citizen or institution of Spain who was under the care of a Spanish citizen for two consecutive years; married to a Spanish citizen without separation; widows and widowers; born abroad to a father, mother, grandfather or grandmother who was originally SpanishArticle 22.2 [1]

There is no country benefit for citizens of Russia, Belarus, Ukraine and Kazakhstan in article 22: they are subject to a general period of time unless otherwise appropriate from the list [1].

What does "legal, continuous and immediate" live?

The law does not decipher these words, but requires all three conditions to be fulfilled. [1]The legal system is not the official list of periods to be counted, so the history of status and the gaps between them must be shown to the lawyer before the application is made. The timely extension of the permit remains valid until the decision (art. 200 Reglamento) and this helps to avoid a breakage. [5].

What do you want after the deadline?

The procedure is being initiated by Real Decreto 1004/2015: application is submitted electronically through the Ministry of Justice system and is accompanied by birth certificates from the country of origin with legalization and translation, passport, non-judicial certificate and integration documents [2][3]Two examinations should be taken by the Instituto Cervantes: DELE at least A2 and CCSE (Knowing the Constitution and Sociocultural Reality) [2][3]II. The citizens of 20 countries listed in Orden JUS/1625/2016 are exempted from DELE; there are no CIS nationals on this list [3].

  • CCSE contains 25 questions and lasts 45 minutes; to give up, you have to answer 15 out of 25 correctly. [6]Registration is 85 since 2023 and gives two attempts to fail or fail to appear [7]I. Certificate valid for four years [8].
  • The Ministry of Justice has a nationality fee of 104.05 me (with the reservation that the amount is revised by the Budget Act) [4].
  • Decision term: up to one year from the receipt of the application; silence means rejection [2].
  • After a positive decision, you must appear before the Encargado Registro Civil within 180 days (the Ministry of Justice reports that you can also swear an oath from a notary), swear your allegiance to the King and the Constitution, declare your previous citizenship where required and apply for registration. [1][2]Article 23 excludes from the requirement the refusal of nationals of Ibero-American countries, Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea, Portugal and sefards [1].

How to renounce your previous citizenship is combined with your country's law, defines its law, check it before filing.

Which depends on your case.

How many years from your history we don't know: learning estancia, arraigo, temporary protection and break between permits are valued differently. Residence permit or citizenship, Residence permit or MJMFull application procedure for Russian and CIS citizens: Spanish citizenship by residence, exams: CCE and DELE A2The duration and status can be checked for consultations: Extension and VJM; use the route sheet to avoid breaking up your residence "Renewal of residence permit".

Frequent issues

How many years does it take to live in Spain to acquire citizenship?
As a general rule, 10 years of legal continuous residence immediately before the application (art. 22 Código Civil), five years are sufficient for refugees, at least one year for nationals of Ibero-American, Andorra, Philippines, Equatorial Guinea, Portugal and sefards, in some cases, e.g., married to a Spanish citizen [1].
Is there a grace period for citizens of Russia, Belarus or Ukraine?
No. Article 22 does not provide a country-specific benefit for citizens of Russia, Belarus, Ukraine and Kazakhstan: the total period of 10 years applies unless another case is appropriate on the list, such as marriage to a Spanish citizen for at least a year or refugee status. Which of your years will be 10, depending on your history, is worth checking with a lawyer. [1].
Should Spanish citizenship examinations be passed?
Yes: DELE is not below A2 and CCSE in the Institute of Cervantes. The citizens of 20 countries listed in the order are exempt from DELE, and there are no CIS nationals. The CCSE consists of 25 questions and lasts 45 minutes, the CCE certificate is valid for 15 years, the CCSE certificate is valid for four years, the DELE certificate is open for all time. [3][6][8].
How much does Spanish citizenship cost?
On the page of the Ministry of Justice on 2 October 2026, the citizenship fee of 104.05 me, the amount can be reviewed by the Budget Act. The registration on CCSE has been 85 since 2023 and gives two attempts. [4][7].
How many citizenship applications are pending?
The decision period up to one year from the date of the submission to the Ministry of Justice (Real Decreto 1004/2015) is considered to be silent, if there is no decision, the application is dismissed. The average actual length of time on official records is not found, the numbers on blogs are different. Planning is better for the whole year and longer, without relying on a few months' promises. [2].
Should we renounce our previous citizenship?
Yes, Spanish law requires the withdrawal of the previous nationality (art. 23 Códiga Civil), except for nationals of Ibero-American, Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea, Portugal and sefards, and the oath and application shall be made within 180 days of the decision. [1][2].

Based on source

  1. BOE · Código Civil, arts. 21-26 (citizenship) ♪
  2. BOE · Real Decreto 1004/2015, citizenship procedure for residence (arts. 5, 6, 11, 12)
  3. BOE · Orden JUS/1625/2016, article 10 and annex (tests and documents) ♪
  4. Ministry of Justice of Spain · Nacionalidad por residencia (specify) ·
  5. BOE · Real Decreto 1155/2024, article 200 (renewal of authorization when delivered on time) ♪
  6. Instituto Cervantes · CCSE: How the test is passed ♪
  7. Instituto Cervantes · CCESE: price ♪
  8. Instituto Cervantes · CCSE: estimates and validity of certificate ♪

Sources are viewed on 02.10.2026. Consolidated texts and departmental reference pages are informative: legal application takes into account official publications, changes and specific circumstances. Material has not been personally checked by counsel.

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The source is viewed on 02.10.2026 · NEXO · Drafting Draft · Sources do not replace individual legal advice.

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