Living in Barcelona long-term? Once you’ve held legal residency for several years, you may be eligible to apply for Spanish citizenship — a major step toward full integration and travel freedom in the EU.
This guide explains how foreigners can apply for Spanish citizenship from Barcelona, what documents you’ll need, and how our legal team can guide you through the process.
🧑⚖️ Who Can Apply for Spanish Citizenship in Barcelona?
You can apply if you meet one of the following:
📅 1. By Residency (Most Common)
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General rule: 10 years of legal, continuous residence in Spain
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Shorter periods for:
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Latin American, Andorran, Filipino, Equatorial Guinean, Sephardic origin nationals: 2 years
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Refugees: 5 years
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Marriage to Spanish citizen: 1 year
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👨👩👧 2. By Birth or Descent
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Born in Spain to foreign parents (under certain conditions)
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One or both parents are Spanish nationals
👰 3. By Marriage (Matrimonio)
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Legally married to a Spanish citizen and residing in Spain for at least 1 year continuously
📍 Where Do You Apply for Citizenship in Barcelona?
Citizenship applications are handled online via the Ministerio de Justicia, but:
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Some documents must be filed in person
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Local interviews and exams are held in Barcelona
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You may need to visit the Civil Registry (Registro Civil de Barcelona) for final steps
Our team handles both online filing and in-person procedures for you.
🗂️ Required Documents for Spanish Citizenship
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✅ Passport and NIE
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✅ Certificado de Empadronamiento
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✅ Residency history (vida laboral + police certificate)
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✅ Criminal background check from your home country and Spain
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✅ Birth certificate (apostilled and translated)
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✅ DELE A2 Spanish language certificate (unless from a Spanish-speaking country)
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✅ CCSE exam certificate (constitutional & cultural knowledge)
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✅ Proof of integration (employment, housing, taxes, etc.)
We assist with translation, apostille, registration, and exam booking.
🧪 What Are the Required Exams?
Unless you’re from a Spanish-speaking country, you must pass:
📘 DELE A2 Exam
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Tests basic Spanish language skills
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Run by Instituto Cervantes
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Can be taken in Barcelona
📙 CCSE Exam
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Short test on Spain’s constitution, history, culture
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Also administered by Instituto Cervantes
We help you register and prepare for both exams.
🗓️ Timeline & What to Expect
| Step | Approximate Time |
|---|---|
| Document collection | 2–4 weeks |
| Online application submission | Immediate |
| Application review (by Ministry) | 12–18 months |
| Approval + Oath of Allegiance | 2–4 months |
| Spanish passport issued | After oath, Civil Registry appointment |
🔁 Can I Keep My Original Nationality?
Spain generally does not allow dual nationality, except for nationals of:
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Latin American countries
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Andorra
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The Philippines
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Equatorial Guinea
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Portugal
If you’re not from one of these, you’ll likely need to renounce your previous nationality during the oath process.
🛡️ Why Work With Borderless Lawyers?
✔️ Barcelona-based citizenship & immigration lawyers
✔️ We manage everything from document prep to oath scheduling
✔️ Multilingual team (English, French, Dutch, German, Spanish)
✔️ Flat-fee pricing
✔️ Full support with exams, translations & online applications
📞 Ready to Become a Spanish Citizen?
Whether you’re applying after 2 years or 10, we simplify the process and ensure you meet all legal requirements.