A person can apply for Spanish citizenship after having resided in Spain for a certain amount of years.

 

TEN years of continuous and legal residence are the general rule of what is required.

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FIVE years are sufficient for those who have obtained refugee status and

 

TWO years in case of nationals of origin from Ibero-American countries, Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea or Portugal, or Sephardic jews (depending on renovation of the corresponding law).

ONE year in the following cases:

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• A person who was born in Spain.

• In case the person could have opted for Spanish nationality.

• A person who was the ward of a Spanish citizen or institution for two consecutive years, even if they continue in this situation at the time of the application.

• Anyone who at the time of application has been married to a Spanish citizen for one year and is not legally or de facto separated.

• The widow or widower of a Spaniard, if at the time of the death of the spouse there was no legal or de facto separation.

• A person born outside Spain to a father or mother, grandfather or grandmother, who were originally Spanish.

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In all cases, the residence must be legal, continuous and immediately prior to the request.

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