Obtaining Spanish nationality through residence is a vital milestone for many Ibero-American families. But the journey does not begin on the day the nationality application is submitted, but years earlier, at the Spanish consulate in the country of origin. Each intermediate step (the visa, the foreigner identity card, the renewals) conditions the next, and an error in any of them can delay or jeopardize the final goal. With this approach, Nacionalízate has structured its service as a single process with continuous monitoring, rather than isolated procedures in the hands of different people. "Whoever comes to Spain with the idea of becoming Spanish needs someone to look at the complete file from the first day. We are not managers, we are lawyers, and our job is to provide legal security at every stage," explains Fatima Gonçalves from Nacionalízate.
First step: residence, from the consulate
The support begins in the country of origin. Residence authorizations that allow moving to Spain legally are generally requested at the corresponding Spanish consulate, with different requirements depending on the type of permit. Some, such as non-lucrative residence, require proof of sufficient financial means and do not allow working in Spain; others are linked to employment, professional activity, or family reunification.
Choosing the right authorization is decisive. "A tourist visa or a study stay do not count as residence for nationality purposes. That is why it is so important to plan from the beginning which authorization fits each person's profile and their long-term goal," points out Gonçalves.
Once the visa is granted, the person enters Spain and must apply for their Foreigner Identity Card (TIE) within one month. From that moment on, the time of legal residence begins to count.
Renewing on time: continuity counts
During the following years, the resident must renew their authorization on time and comply with the permit conditions. The regulations require that the residence prior to the nationality application be legal, continuous, and immediately preceding the request, so a late renewal or prolonged absences from Spain can compromise the calculation.
"Many of the queries we receive are from people who arrive at the nationality application with a problem that originated years earlier in a renewal. Monitoring with transparency throughout the immigration cycle avoids those surprises," adds Fatima.
Two years for nationals of Ibero-American countries
The Civil Code generally sets a period of ten years of legal and continuous residence to apply for Spanish nationality. For nationals of Ibero-American countries, as well as Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea, and Portugal, this period is reduced to two years.
In addition to the residence time, the applicant must prove good civic conduct and a sufficient degree of integration into Spanish society, which is evaluated mainly through the constitutional and sociocultural knowledge test of Spain (CCSE) of the Instituto Cervantes. Nationals of Spanish-speaking countries are exempt from the DELE A2 language exam. Ibero-Americans, on the other hand, are not required to renounce their nationality of origin when acquiring Spanish nationality.
When the administration does not respond
The law establishes a maximum period of one year to resolve nationality applications by residence. If it passes without a response, the application is understood to be dismissed due to administrative silence, which opens the possibility of going to court through a contentious-administrative appeal.
"The legal deadline is a reference, not a guarantee that the Ministry will resolve on time. What we can do is present a solid file from the beginning and, when the response does not arrive, assess with each client whether it is convenient to go to court," explains Fatima.
Once nationality is granted, the process culminates with the oath or promise and registration in the Civil Registry, which must be done within 180 days of notification of the grant. From that moment on, the person can apply for their Spanish DNI and passport.
About Nacionalízate
Nacionalízate is a law firm specializing in immigration and Spanish nationality that accompanies people from Ibero-America throughout the immigration cycle. The service of its Spanish nationality lawyers at Nacionalízate begins with the residence authorization processed at the consulate of the country of origin and includes the monitoring of each file and defense before the administration and the courts when necessary. Interested persons can schedule a consultation through their website.
