Who this is for
Long-term residents evaluating whether and when they can apply, and which of several distinct legal pathways applies to their situation.
The residency pathways
General naturalization typically requires ten continuous years of legal residence. That period shortens to two years for nationals of Ibero-American countries, Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea or Portugal, and for people of Sephardic Jewish origin — and to one year for people married to a Spanish national or in certain other qualifying circumstances.
Requirements common to most pathways
Passing the DELE A2 Spanish-language exam (waived for applicants from Spanish-speaking countries) and the CCSE exam on Spanish constitutional and cultural knowledge; a clean criminal record; and, in most cases, renouncing your prior nationality — with treaty exceptions for several Ibero-American countries, Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea and Portugal, which allow dual nationality.