🏆 OVERVIEW
Country
🇪🇸 Spain
Program
Spain Citizenship by Marriage
Local Name
Nacionalidad Española por Residencia (Cónyuge)
Type
Marriage Fast-Track
Status
Active
Residency Required
1 years
Processing Time
365-730 days
Dual Citizenship
Not allowed
Visa-Free Countries
186 destinations
Passport Rank
#3 (Henley Index)
One of Europe's fastest marriage-based citizenship routes. Spouses of Spanish citizens can apply after just 1 year of legal residency in Spain. Must pass the CCSE exam (Spanish constitutional and sociocultural knowledge) and DELE A2 Spanish language test. Civil unions (Pareja de Hecho) do NOT qualify for the 1-year fast-track; they require the standard 10-year residency.
💵 FEES & COSTS
Application Fee
$110
📋 ELIGIBILITY & REQUIREMENTS
Min Age
18+
Police Clearance
Required
Medical Exam
Not required
Language
A2 (DELE A2)
Language Exemptions
Citizens of Spanish-speaking countries
Civics Test
CCSE (Conocimientos Constitucionales y Socioculturales de España)
Oath
Required
Renunciation
Required
🏠 RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS
Residency Required
1 years
Residency Type
Any
Continuous
Must be unbroken
Cohabitation
Must live with spouse
Income Required
Must demonstrate financial means and proof of residence
🛂 PASSPORT & MOBILITY
Passport Rank
#3 (Henley Index)
Visa-Free Access
186 countries
Passport Validity
10 years
EU Citizenship
Yes
Schengen Access
Yes
US E-2 Treaty
Yes — eligible for US investor visa
📍 PHYSICAL PRESENCE
Must Visit Country
Yes
📝 HOW TO APPLY
Method
Online
Apply from Abroad
Must apply in-country
Application Type
Open
Official Website
administracion.gob.es
Legal Basis
Código Civil Art. 22; Real Decreto 1004/2015
📌 NOTES & CAVEATS
Spain generally requires renunciation of previous nationality, with exceptions for nationals of Ibero-American countries, Andorra, Philippines, Equatorial Guinea, and Portugal (bilateral agreements). No minimum marriage duration required. Civil unions do NOT qualify for the 1-year route. DELE A2 exemption for Spanish-speaking country nationals.
🔗 ALSO IN SPAIN
- Digital Nomad Visa (digital nomad visa)
- Spain Non-Lucrative Visa (retirement)
- Spain Entrepreneur Visa (startup)
🧭 CONTINUE EXPLORING SPAIN CITIZENSHIP BY MARRIAGE