Eligibility quiz
Was either of your parents a Spanish citizen by origin?
Benefits
Benefits for youBenefits for you
Spanish passport and ID
Spanish citizens can have a passport and identity card.
The identity card normally lasts 2 years under age 5, 5 years from age 5 to under 30, 10 years from 30 to under 70, and indefinitely after 70.
The passport normally lasts 2 years under age 5, 5 years under 30 and 10 years from age 30.
Live in Spain for life
Spanish citizens can enter, live and remain in Spain without a time limit, even after living abroad, and do not need to renew the right to live there.
Study in Spain
Spanish citizens can study in Spain.
Work in Spain
Spanish citizens can work in Spain for an employer or for themselves without an immigration or work permit.
Get help abroad
Spanish citizens can seek help from Spain when abroad.
Outside the EU, if Spain has no embassy or consulate, another EU country’s embassy or consulate can help with problems such as arrest, serious illness, a lost passport or emergency travel home.
Vote and run for office
Spanish citizens can vote and run for office, including in national elections, when they meet the rules.
Those living abroad can register with a consulate to help them vote in Spanish elections.
Those living in another EU country can vote and stand in local and European Parliament elections there on the same terms as its citizens.
Use public healthcare
Spanish citizens who usually live in Spain can generally use publicly funded healthcare, though citizenship alone does not make every treatment free.
Receive benefits and pensions
Spanish citizens may receive social security benefits and pensions if they meet the relevant conditions, which can include contributions, residence or financial need.
How to apply
Applying onlineApplying online
Gather your documents
Prepare the required documents for your citizenship application.
See required documentsFill in the application online
Sign in to the Spanish citizenship by residence application with an accepted electronic ID and fill in the form. You or your representative can apply; add proof of representation if someone applies for you.
Fill in the applicationPay the application fee
Complete fee form 790-026 and pay the fee at a participating bank in Spain before submitting your application. Keep the payment receipt to attach to your application.
Get the fee formSubmit your application
Attach your scanned documents and payment receipt, sign electronically and submit the application within two months of creating it. Keep your submission receipt; you can also submit a paper application through an eligible public registry.
Submit the applicationWait for the decision
Follow your application online and reply to any requests for more information or documents. Wait for the official notice of the decision.
Follow your applicationFind your civil registry
Once you are approved, find the civil registry for the address named in your decision. Ask that registry how to arrange your visit.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Which civil registry handles Spain nacionalidad por residencia oath and registration for your city?”
Swear and register
Within 180 days from the day after you receive approval, attend the civil registry to swear or promise loyalty if you are over 14 and able to do so, declare that you give up your previous nationality if required, and have your Spanish citizenship registered. You can then get a Spanish passport.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I complete the oath and civil registry registration for Spain nacionalidad por residencia in your city?”
Documents needed
Family certificates and recordsFamily certificates and records
Birth certificates
Get your full birth certificate from the office that issued it and your Spanish parent's birth certificate. The records must show your family connection and that your parent was Spanish from birth; include official records explaining any change of name, marriage, adoption or parentage if needed to connect them.
Considerations
Things to think aboutThings to think about
Citizenship can be lost
Abroad, emancipated citizens risk loss three years after gaining or solely using another citizenship without declaring they want to keep it; exceptions apply.
Those born and living abroad to a Spanish parent also born abroad risk loss without that declaration within three years of adulthood or emancipation.
Citizens not Spanish by origin risk loss for fraud, prohibited foreign service or office, or solely using a citizenship they gave up.
Discuss
Online communitiesOnline communities
Ley de memoria democrática, nacionalidad española y residencia 🇪🇦
Spanish Facebook group for people living in Spain interested in Spanish citizenship
Join on FacebookLey de Memoria democrática en Miami
Spanish Facebook group for people interested in Spanish citizenship
Join on FacebookLey de nietos y ciudadanía española en Miami
Spanish Facebook group for people interested in Spanish citizenship
Join on FacebookConsultation
Talk to a professionalTalk to a professional
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