Becoming a Spanish Citizen
Talk through the Spanish nationality process: requirements, exams, paperwork, the long wait and the final oath.
Most foreigners can apply for Spanish nationality after ten years of legal residence, fewer for some nationalities or if married to a Spaniard. You pass the DELE A2 language exam and the CCSE civics test, gather documents like an apostilled criminal record certificate and your padrón certificate, apply online and then wait, often for years, before swearing an oath at the Registro Civil. The cards follow a long-time Seville resident through the whole process.
- 1
Quiero pedir la nacionalidad española este año.
I want to apply for Spanish citizenship this year.
- 2
¿Ya cumplo los requisitos?
Am I eligible yet?
- 3
Necesitas diez años de residencia legal.
You need ten years of legal residence.
- 4
Llevo once años viviendo aquí.
I've been living here for eleven years.
- 5
¿Tengo que presentarme al examen de idioma?
Do I have to sit the language exam?
- 6
Aprobé el CCSE a la primera.
I passed the CCSE on the first try.
- 7
Necesito el certificado de antecedentes penales de mi país.
I need the criminal record certificate from my country.
- 8
Tiene que estar apostillado y traducido.
It has to be apostilled and translated.
- 9
¿Hace falta traducción jurada?
Is a sworn translation required?
- 10
¿Dónde saco el certificado de empadronamiento?
Where do I get the registration certificate?
- 11
La solicitud se presenta por internet.
The application is submitted online.
- 12
¿Cuánto suele tardar?
How long does it usually take?
- 13
Puede tardar dos o tres años, tranquilamente.
It can easily take two or three years.
- 14
¿Tengo que renunciar a mi nacionalidad?
Do I have to give up my nationality?
- 15
Mi expediente sigue en trámite.
My file is still being processed.
- 16
Me han pedido un papel más.
They've asked me for one more document.
- 17
¡Me ha llegado la resolución! ¡Concedida!
My decision letter has arrived! It's granted!
- 18
Ahora me toca jurar en el Registro Civil.
Now I have to take the oath at the civil registry.
- 19
Pues crucemos los dedos para que salga pronto.
Let's keep our fingers crossed it comes through soon.
- 20
¡Enhorabuena, ya eres española de pleno derecho!
Congratulations, you're officially Spanish now!