Spain Citizenship by Ordinary Residence
Also known as: Spanish citizenship after 10 years · Spain 10-year citizenship
What it grants
Spanish citizenship by residence: ten years generally, five for refugees, two for nationals of the listed countries and Sephardim, and one for specified Article 22 categories.
Competent authority: Ministry of Justice, Spain — Registro Civil
Research cutoff 2026-09-21 · 3 source references. Recheck material facts with the listed primary publishers before acting.
Quick answers
Answer-first summary from the source-dated record. Each answer is a research reference, not a personal eligibility decision.
- What does this route grant?
- Spanish citizenship by residence: ten years generally, five for refugees, two for nationals of the listed countries and Sephardim, and one for specified Article 22 categories.
- What is the published entry point?
- There is no single verified minimum in this record; the qualifying basis and current official schedule must be checked.
- Is physical presence required?
- 10 / 5 / 2 / 1 years by category; continuous or aggregated lawful residence depending on category.
- Can family be included?
- Minor children usually follow; adult children and parents need their own qualifying route.
- Does it lead to citizenship?
- This is the grant itself.
This route fits if…
- Long-term residents under the ten-year general rule
- Recognized refugees on the five-year rule
- Qualifying nationals on the two-year rule
- Applicants in an Article 22 one-year category
Needs professional review
- Your cohort (nationality, birth, marital status) and its period
- DELE + CCSE evidence requirements
- Residence continuity & any gaps
01Summary
Spain's Civil Code Article 22 sets ten years of residence as the general rule, five years for people recognized as refugees, and two years for nationals of origin of Ibero-American countries, Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea or Portugal, and for Sephardim.
A one-year period applies only to specified categories, including some people born in Spain and a person who has been married to a Spanish citizen for one year without legal or de facto separation. Residence must be legal, continuous and immediately before the application.
Spain is one of the few EU countries that does not force you to give up your other nationality in every case: Ibero-American/Portuguese nationals keep it by default, and others may retain multiple nationality where the home country permits dual nationality.
02Investment options
10-year track
General rule for lawful residence.
5-year track
People who have obtained refugee status.
2-year track
Nationals of origin of Ibero-American countries, Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea or Portugal, and Sephardim.
1-year track
Only the specific categories listed in Civil Code Article 22(2), including certain birth, option, guardianship, marriage and family circumstances.
03Eligibility
- Legal, continuous residence immediately before the application for the applicable 10/5/2/1-year period
- Good civic conduct and sufficient integration
- Category-specific evidence
- Other current procedural requirements
04Family & dependents
Minor children usually follow; adult children and parents need their own qualifying route.
- Minor children
- Adults with own qualifying residence
05Physical presence
Presence is defined per rule dimension below — each with its own counting method. There is no single universal "days per year" number.
Qualifying residence
10 / 5 / 2 / 1 years by category; continuous or aggregated lawful residence depending on category.
Counting method: Continuous lawful residence for most categories; check the specific article for your cohort.
Absence tolerance
Absences are generally allowed provided legal-residence status is not broken and the total qualifying period is met.
Counting method: Do not lose lawful residence during absences.
06Timeline & duration
The statutory qualifying period depends on the Article 22 category; processing time is not guaranteed by this record.
Typical: 1, 2, 5 or 10 years of qualifying residence by category, then processing · Duration: Citizenship is permanent; passport renews periodically.
- Not applicable — grant is permanent
07Costs
Official fees and exam costs are modest; the real cost is the years of qualifying residence and legal preparation.
Government charges, investment capital, professional fees and other costs are separate. Figures are research references, not quotes; verify them with the responsible authority and qualified professional before acting.
Currency conversions use a reference EUR→USD rate of 1.08 as of 2026-09-19. All program amounts are stated in official currencies; verify current rates before budgeting.
08Documentation
Legal-residence history (cards, renewals)
any — Apostilled, translated.
Criminal record certificate
any — Apostilled, translated.
DELE language certificate + CCSE culture certificate
any — Most categories.
Proof of category (marriage / birth / etc.)
primary
09Path to PR & citizenship
Permanent residence
Long-term residence (permanent / non-lucrative / etc.) often already held; Spanish long-term residence can be obtained in parallel.
Citizenship
This is the grant itself.
10Risks & refusals
- Cohort misclassification silently changes your target year
- DELE/CCSE evidence can delay
- A lapse in lawful residence resets continuity
11Rule versions tracked
Law changes create cohorts — the version in force when you first acquired your permit or filed may govern your case. Both open and closed versions stay on record.
es-nat-v20242024-01-01 – presentactiveCurrent consolidated naturalization framework (Código Civil, arts. 21–22 and related).
- No structural change to qualifying periods; evidence & processing updated
12Sources of record
Draft next-review date: 2026-10-21. A listed link and checked date do not certify that a rule is current. Recheck material facts with the responsible authority and a qualified professional before acting.