Applying for Citizenship
How to obtain Spanish Citizenship
Citizenship is a fundamental right and the legal link that unites a person with a State, with its consequent rights and obligations.
As a general rule, the criterion for acquiring Spanish nationality of origin is jus sanguinis. That is, the children of Spaniards are Spanish of origin, regardless of where they were born.
However, there are other ways to acquire Spanish nationality and at RC Legal Support we advise you to do it in the best way.
Citizenship by residence
Foreigners who have lived in Spain legally and continuously for a certain number of years may acquire nationality. As a general rule, 10 years of residence are required, but there are cases in which this time is reduced: (i) refugees: 5 years; (ii) citizens of Ibero-American countries, Portugal, the Philippines, Andorra, Equatorial Guinea and people of Sephardic origin: 2 years; (iii) married to Spanish citizen, descendants of Spanish citizen or born in Spanish territory: 1 year.
Citizenship by option
This benefit is recognized for people who are or have been under the parental authority of a Spanish national.
Citizenship by simple presumption
Spanish regulations recognize as Spaniards of origin children born in Spain to foreign parents, if both lack nationality (stateless) or if the legislation of neither parent attributes the nationality to the child.
Citizenship for Guatemalans
Since 1961, Spain and Guatemala have signed an agreement that allows Guatemalan citizens of origin to acquire Spanish nationality as soon as they establish their domicile in Spanish territory.
Contentious-Administrative Appeal
Royal Decree 1001/2015, of November 6, which approves the regulation that oversees the procedure for acquiring Spanish nationality by residence, establishes that the Ministry of Justice has one year to resolve the application for Spanish nationality by residence.
However, this term is not always matched, and it is necessary to file an Administrative Litigation Appeal before the National Court, for which a Lawyer and Attorney are required.