Skip to content
How to Get Spanish Citizenship
Embark on your journey to Portuguese citizenship with trusted legal care. Whether through descent, investment, or marriage, we simplify every step of the process.
How to Get Spanish Citizenship
Embark on your journey to Portuguese citizenship with trusted legal care. Whether through descent, investment, or marriage, we simplify every step of the process.
Becoming a Spanish Citizen
Embrace the freedom and opportunities that come with Spanish citizenship. Whether you’re looking to expand your horizons across the European Union, make your voice heard in elections, or set down new roots, Spanish citizenship is your gateway. Our expert team is here to simplify this journey, helping you navigate the process with ease and confidence ensuring you feel supported every step of the way.
Over 7K Clients
Just Like You
5 Star Ratings
By Over 1,200 Clients
Over 45
Over 45 Experienced Lawyers
Experienced International Lawyers
98% Success Rate
in Securing Positive Outcomes
100% Refund Guarantee
If Your Visa is Rejected
Embrace Borderless Opportunities with Lexidy
Embrace Borderless Opportunities with Lexidy
Pathways to Becoming a Spanish Citizen
1. Citizenship by Residency
The most common path is through residency. The duration required depends on various factors:
- General Rule: 10 years of legal residency.
- Refugees: 5 years.
- Nationals from Ibero-American countries, Andorra, Equatorial Guinea, Philippines, or Portugal: 2 years, with the advantage of retaining your original nationality for dual citizenship.
- Marriage to a Spanish National: 1 year of residency with your spouse in Spain is required. It’s crucial to live together continuously for this period before you can apply.
2. Citizenship by Origin
If you are the biological or adopted child of Spanish parents, you may acquire Spanish nationality by origin. This is automatic for minors and available through a simplified process known as citizenship by option for those who discover their Spanish heritage later in life or are adopted as adults.
- Born in Spain to Foreign Parents: If at least one parent was also born in Spain, or if the child cannot acquire the nationality of the parents’ countries due to legal restrictions, Spanish nationality may be granted.
- Found Children: If a child’s origins are unknown but they are found in Spain, they are presumed born in Spain and can claim Spanish citizenship.
3. Citizenship by Option
This route is available under specific conditions:
- Persons who are or have been subject to the parental authority of a Spaniard. The term to do so expires two years after the age of majority or emancipation.
- Persons whose father or mother was a Spaniard born in Spain, with no time limit.
- Persons whose filiation (identification of who the parents of a person are) or place of birth in Spain is determined after eighteen years of age. The term of option is two years from the moment the filiation or birth in Spain is determined.
- Persons adopted by Spaniards after eighteen years of age. The option period is two years from the adoption.
4. Citizenship by Marriage
Contrary to some misconceptions, marrying a Spanish citizen doesn’t automatically grant you citizenship. You must live in Spain with your Spanish spouse for at least one year under the same roof to qualify for citizenship through residency.
Explore the Spain Non-Lucrative Visa
Learn About the Spain Non-Lucrative Visa
Discover the key requirements and benefits of the Spain Non-Lucrative Visa. Learn how you can retire peacefully in Spain with the right guidance.
How can a lawyer help with Spanish Citizenship?
Obtaining Spanish citizenship involves navigating a complex array of legal requirements and procedures. With our experienced immigration lawyers, you can simplify this process and increase your chances of success. Here’s how our team can support your application:
Precision Document Guidance
We don’t just collect papers; we strategize the exact documentation you need, tailored to your specific case, ensuring precision from the start.
Seamless Digital Submissions
We expertly handle the digital maze of your citizenship application, submitting, tracking, and updating you on every progress milestone.
Insider Edge
We bring you insights from inside the corridors of Spanish Administration—knowing the unwritten as well as the written, making sure your application is bulletproof.
Language No Barrier
Whether you speak English, French, Portuguese, Italian or Spanish, our multilingual team communicates fluently, ensuring you’re never lost in translation.
Ready to apply for Spanish citizenship? Let our trusted legal experts guide you through the process with confidence, precision and care.
Life
Work
Voices of Satisfaction
Voices of Satisfaction
How it Works
1
Assess Your Eligibility
Start by determining your eligibility with a focused consultation. Your dedicated Legal Advisor will understand your situation and explore possible legal paths.
2
Service Presentation and Proposal
Receive a detailed presentation of our services tailored to your needs, complete with a fixed-price proposal to ensure no surprises.
3
Begin Your Journey
Your dedicated lawyer will guide you through every step, handling all legalities as you confidently move forward.
How it Works
1
Assess Your Eligibility
Start by determining your eligibility with a focused consultation. Your dedicated Legal Advisor will understand your situation and explore possible legal paths.
2
Service Presentation and Proposal
Receive a detailed presentation of our services tailored to your needs, complete with a fixed-price proposal to ensure no surprises.
3
Begin Your Journey
How it Works
1
Assess Your Eligibility
Start by determining your eligibility with a focused consultation. Your dedicated Legal Advisor will understand your situation and explore possible legal paths.
2
Service Presentation and Proposal
Receive a detailed presentation of our services tailored to your needs, complete with a fixed-price proposal to ensure no surprises.
3
Begin Your Journey
Your dedicated lawyer will guide you through every step, handling all legalities as you confidently move forward.
How it Works
1
Assess Your Eligibility
Start by determining your eligibility with a focused consultation. Your dedicated Legal Advisor will understand your situation and explore possible legal paths.
2
Service Presentation and Proposal
Receive a detailed presentation of our services tailored to your needs, complete with a fixed-price proposal to ensure no surprises.
3
Begin Your Journey
Begin Your Journey to Spanish Citizenship Today
Our expert legal team is here to pave the way, ensuring a smooth and successful transition.
Clients Frequently Choose
Purchase a Property
Secure your investment with meticulous due diligence, comprehensive contract analysis, and expert legal guidance throughout the entire purchasing process.
Tax Consultation
Dodge tax surprises with our thorough tax consultation services. Receive expert advice and strategic planning to ensure a seamless tax season and financial peace of mind.
Discover our Long-Term Program
Join Lexidy’s Long-Term Program now and enter a world of enhanced, efficient, and personalized legal services. Unlock a range of premium benefits:
- 10% discount on your next service.
- Invites to our office events and networking.
- Personalized reminders and service upkeep, fewer worries.
- Free Consultation.
- Fast-tracking and client priority (Responses to queries within 24 hours from our multilingual, expert legal team).
Local Presence, Global Expertise
Local Presence, Global Expertise
Navigate the complexities of moving abroad with ease. Our strategically located offices worldwide ensure you receive precise, expert legal guidance right when and where you need it most.
Barcelona
- Avinguda Diagonal, 442, 3º 1ª, Barcelona, 08037
- +34 938 07 40 56
Madrid
- Calle Villalar 7, Bajo Izquierda, Madrid, 28001
- +34 915 367 806
Málaga
- Paseo de Reding, número 43, 1º Planta, Puerta Izquierda, 29016
- +34 951 12 53 70
Lisbon
- Rua Joaquim António de Aguiar n.º 43, RC Esq, Lisbon, 1070-150
- +351 21 027 0734
Porto
- R. do Mal. Saldanha 109 office 5, 4150-025 Porto, Portugal
- +351 21 027 0733
Athens
- Patriarchou Ioakeim 25 Street, Kolonaki, Athens, 10675
- +30 21 0300 5239
Paris
- 21bis Boulevard de Port Royal, 75013 Paris
- +33 1 76 40 35 43
Milan
- Via California 23, 5th Floor, 20144 Milan MI, Italy
- +39 02 8295 6347
Mexico
- Blvd. Manuel Ávila Camacho 137, Piso 3 Comunal, Polanco III Secc, Miguel Hidalgo, 11550 Ciudad de México, CDMX
- +52 55 8957 7841
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I get Spanish citizenship through my grandparents?
Yes, if one or more of your grandparents were originally Spanish and born in Spain, you can apply for Spanish nationality after legally residing in Spain for one year. This pathway is designed to help descendants of Spaniards reconnect with their heritage.
2. Can Spanish citizens have dual citizenship?
Spain typically requires you to renounce your original nationality when you become a Spanish citizen if you come from a country that does not have a dual citizenship agreement signed with Spain. Exceptions exist for citizens of specific countries, including many Latin American countries, the Philippines, Andorra, Portugal, Brazil, and France, among others. If you are from these countries, you may keep both nationalities.
3. How long does Spanish nationality last?
Spanish citizenship is permanent once granted. However, if you acquire citizenship in another country where Spain does not recognize dual citizenship, you may be required to renounce your Spanish citizenship. Conversely, if Spain recognizes dual citizenship with the country, you can maintain both citizenships.
4. Is there a difference between Spanish nationality and permanent residence?
Yes, there is a significant difference:
- Permanent Residence: Permanent residency is only granted to EU nationals, for non-EU nationals only “Long Term” residency is granted and the card must be renewed every 5 years (not the permit, just the card). If it is not a Long Term EU residency, then it is only valid for Spain and not transferable to any other EU countries.
- Spanish Nationality: Makes you an EU national and therefore entitles you to reside in any other EU country and work there, remotely or locally, for as long as you wish. Once citizenship is obtained, it could be extended to your children in a straightforward way if they are minors and you are registered as a Spanish national.