Spanish citizenship 2026: a path to a European passport.

Why an Spanish passport is a strategic asset

For many families, buying property and moving to Marbella is not only a change in lifestyle, but also the first step toward European citizenship. An Spanish passport is one of the strongest documents in the world: it provides visa-free access to 127 and more countries, full citizenship of the European Union, the right to live, work, and study in any EU country, the right to vote in national elections, and consular protection from any EU country abroad.

Unlike residency, citizenship is permanent. You cannot lose it due to a long absence from the country or changes in your financial situation. It is an asset for generations to come.

This article describes the general path to Spanish citizenship through residency. But immigration law is complex and individual, so any decision should be made based on a personal consultation with a licensed immigration lawyer.

Three steps of the path

The path to Spanish citizenship through residency (naturalización por residencia) consists of three consecutive stages. The standard period from the first arrival to applying for citizenship is 10 years.

Step 1: temporary residency

Everything starts with obtaining a temporary residence permit. This can be a digital nomad visa, a Non-Lucrative Visa, a high-skilled professional visa, a work visa, or family reunification.

A temporary residence permit is usually issued for 1 to 3 years, with the possibility of renewal. For example, a digital nomad visa provides an initial three-year residence permit (when applying from within Spain), which can be extended for another 2 years.

Step 2: permanent residence

After 5 years of continuous legal residence in Spain, you can apply for permanent residence (residencia de larga duración).

Permanent residence is issued for 5 years (with the possibility of renewal) and allows you to live in Spain with almost no restrictions. An important advantage: for permanent residence, unlike temporary visas, you do not need to prove a continuous income above a certain level. But you must confirm that there are no tax debts.

Step 3: citizenship

After another 5 years of residence (meaning a total of 10 years of continuous legal residence), you can apply for citizenship. At this stage, you need to pass exams, confirm your integration into Spanish society, and undergo a review.

Shorter timelines for certain categories

The standard period is 10 years, but for some categories it is significantly shorter.

2 years. For citizens of Ibero-American countries (Latin American countries), as well as Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea, Portugal, and for Sephardic Jews.

1 year. For spouses of Spanish citizens (with a registered marriage and living together in Spain for at least 1 year), for children and grandchildren of Spanish citizens by birth, and for those born in Spain.

5 years. For refugees.

For most property buyers from Russia, the United Kingdom, the United States, the Persian Gulf countries, and other non-Ibero-American countries, the standard period of 10 years applies.

Requirements for applying for citizenship

When applying for citizenship after 10 years, you must meet several conditions.

Continuity of residence

Residency must be continuous. Being outside the country for more than 6 months in a row can reset the count if it is not justified (for example, working abroad with prior approval). This is a critically important point that many people underestimate.

Exams

Two mandatory exams for most applicants.

CCSE. An exam on knowledge of Spanish culture and constitutional law. Cost is about €85.

DELE A2. An exam on Spanish language knowledge at A2 level. Cost is €108 to €220. Citizens of Spanish-speaking countries may be exempt from this exam.

No criminal record

No criminal convictions in Spain or in the country of origin.

Tax compliance

No tax debts to the Spanish government.

Integration into society

Demonstrating integration into Spanish society: knowledge of the language, culture, and laws, and having ties to the country.

Question of dual citizenship

One of the most important aspects for many applicants.

Spain generally requires renouncing previous citizenship when naturalizing. However, there is an important exception: citizens of Latin American countries, Andorra, Portugal, the Philippines, and Equatorial Guinea may keep dual citizenship.

For citizens of other countries (Russia, the United Kingdom, the United States, the Persian Gulf countries), renouncing previous citizenship is formally required. In practice, this issue has nuances and depends on the laws of the country of origin, so it requires detailed consultation with a lawyer before starting the process.

What changed in 2025 through 2026

Several important recent changes.

Cancellation of the Golden Visa

In April 2025, Spain canceled the Golden Visa program, which allowed obtaining a residence permit through investment in real estate from €500,000. Previously, this was one of the paths to starting the journey toward citizenship. Now, residency must be obtained through other visas (digital nomad, Non-Lucrative, and others).

Important: canceling the Golden Visa does not cancel the path to citizenship for those who buy property. It just means that residency is now arranged through other visa categories, while buying property remains an important factor that confirms ties to the country and financial solvency.

Expiration of the Democratic Memory Law

A special path under the Democratic Memory Law (Law 20/2022) for descendants of exiles expired in October 2025. New applications under this law are no longer accepted, although applications submitted before the deadline continue to be processed.

Processing timelines

The naturalization process is handled by the Ministry of Justice of Spain. After submitting a complete package of documents, consideration of the citizenship application may take from several months to several years, depending on workload and the complexity of the case.

For permanent residence, the processing time in 2026 is usually 4 to 8 weeks in most provincial offices.

A practical path for a family

What a typical path looks like for a family moving to Marbella.

Year 1. Obtaining a temporary residence permit (for example, a digital nomad visa or a Non-Lucrative Visa). Buying or renting housing. Registration in Padrón. Getting NIE and TIE.

Years 1 to 5. Living in Spain, renewing the temporary residence permit. It is important to follow the residence rule (not being absent for more than 6 months in a row) and to spend enough time in the country. Learning Spanish.

Year 5. Applying for permanent residence (residencia de larga duración).

Years 5 to 10. Living as a permanent resident. Preparing for the CCSE and DELE A2 exams. Deepening integration into society.

Year 10. Taking the exams, applying for citizenship, and undergoing the review.

After approval. Taking the oath, receiving an Spanish passport and EU citizenship.

Main mistakes on the path to citizenship

Several typical missteps.

Breaking the continuity of residence. Being outside the country for more than 6 months in a row without justification can reset the count. This is the most common reason for delays.

Insufficient physical presence. Formally having a residence permit is not enough; you must actually spend enough time in the country (as a rule, at least 183 days per year).

Delaying language study. The DELE A2 exam requires preparation. It is better to start learning Spanish from the first year, not a month before the exam.

Tax debts. Any unpaid taxes block the process. Tax compliance is critically important throughout the entire path.

Lack of professional support. Immigration law is complex and changes. Going through the process without a lawyer often leads to mistakes that cost years.

Citizenship or permanent residence

An important question: does everyone need citizenship specifically?

Permanent residence allows you to live and work in Spain with almost no restrictions, indefinitely (with card renewals every 5 years). For many people, this is enough. It does not require renouncing previous citizenship and does not require language and culture exams to the same extent.

Citizenship provides a full EU passport, the right to vote, the right to live and work in any EU country, and protection against losing status due to long absences. But for most people, it requires renouncing previous citizenship and passing exams.

The choice between these statuses depends on your long-term goals, your willingness to renounce your current citizenship, and your desire to have an EU passport specifically. This decision should be discussed with a lawyer at the beginning of the journey.

Key takeaway

The path to Spanish citizenship is a marathon, not a sprint: for most property buyers in Marbella, it takes 10 years. But the result is full citizenship of the European Union, one of the most valuable assets you can pass on to your children and future generations.

The main principles of a successful path are simple. Start with the right visa. Maintain continuity of residence. Learn the language from year one. Keep tax compliance. And be sure to work with a licensed immigration lawyer who will guide you through every stage without mistakes.

This article provides a general understanding of the path, but it is not legal advice. Spanish immigration law is complex, individual, and regularly changes. Any decision should be made based on a personal analysis of your situation by a qualified professional. ABARZO Real Estate helps clients not only with buying real estate, but also with referrals to trusted immigration lawyers in Marbella as part of relocation support.

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