Updated 22 August 2026. This guide is for people applying for Spanish nationality by residence. It does not cover nationality by option, origin, recovery, or other routes. Those routes have different rules and should be checked with the Ministry of Justice or a qualified professional.
Nationality by residence is a legal process. The Ministry assesses the application, and the facts that matter depend on your individual route. Use this guide to prepare, then check the official procedure before you submit anything.
Who can apply by residence?
Article 22 of Spain's Civil Code sets a general requirement of ten years of legal residence in Spain before applying. It also sets shorter periods in specified cases:
- Five years for people granted refugee status.
- Two years for nationals of Ibero-American countries, Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea or Portugal, and for people of Sephardic origin.
- One year in several defined situations, including being born in Spain, being married to a Spanish citizen for one year without legal or de facto separation, or certain family and guardianship circumstances.
The required residence must be legal, continuous and immediately before the application. The Ministry also refers to good civic conduct and sufficient integration into Spanish society. Read the current Ministry of Justice guidance on nationality by residence and Article 22 of the Civil Code before deciding which period applies to you.
Check your route before collecting documents
Do not use a generic online checklist as a substitute for the official application requirements. The documents you need can depend on the residence period you rely on, your nationality, your family situation, whether the Ministry can verify information electronically, and whether you need an exam exemption or dispensation.
As a starting point, organise the documents that establish your identity, your residence route and any special circumstance you rely on. The official application materials may also require civil-status, birth, criminal-record, language or integration evidence for your case. If a foreign document needs legalisation or an official translation, follow the requirement for that document and issuing country rather than assuming that every document needs the same treatment.
Use the Ministry's current application route and instructions to make your final checklist. If your case involves a reduced residence period, a minor, a disability-related accommodation, a dispensation request, or documents from more than one country, getting route-specific advice before filing can prevent an avoidable mismatch.
Apply through the official nationality procedure
The Ministry of Justice electronic procedure directory lists the official services for nationality by residence, including the application, the Modelo 790, código 026 form, a route for Cervantes-test dispensations, and online case-status consultation. Start from the Ministry's procedure directory so that you use the current official route rather than a copied form or third-party portal.
- Confirm that nationality by residence is the correct route and identify the residence period you rely on.
- Review the official application instructions for your circumstances and prepare the required evidence.
- Use the official nationality procedure to complete the application and the Modelo 790, código 026 steps that apply to your submission.
- Keep the submission record and use the official status-consultation service for updates.
This article does not state a processing time. Official procedures and individual cases can change, so follow notices in your own file.
CCSE, DELE and dispensation requests
The Instituto Cervantes administers the CCSE test and the DELE A2 or higher Spanish-language diploma for nationality applications in the circumstances set by the rules. Whether you need one or both, qualify for an exemption, or should request a dispensation depends on your circumstances and the current requirements.
Check the Instituto Cervantes nationality information before registering for a test. The Ministry directory separately lists the official service for dispensation requests for Instituto Cervantes tests. Do not assume that a language background, school record or medical circumstance removes a requirement without confirming the applicable process.
Pre-filing checklist
- I have confirmed that I am applying by residence, rather than by option, origin or recovery.
- I know the legal residence period I rely on and can explain why it applies to me.
- I have checked the current Ministry requirements for my own route and documents.
- I have checked whether CCSE, DELE, an exemption or a dispensation applies to me.
- I will use the official nationality procedure, Modelo 790, código 026 service and status checker.
Comments