Does Spain Allow Dual Citizenship? A Guide to Dual Nationality 2025

Thinking about making a big move and wondering, “Does Spain allow dual citizenship?”  I’ve got you covered!

The answer in 2025 is yes, but there are some nuances and conditions to be aware of. Whether you’re dreaming of sipping café con leche in a bustling Madrid plaza or enjoying the sun-soaked beaches of Barcelona, understanding the rules surrounding dual citizenship in Spain can help you plan your transition smoothly.

When we moved to Spain we didn’t have the advantage of having a Spanish passport, but what if your connection to Spain means you can have dual citizenship? Now that would make things a lot easier!

Spain does indeed allow dual citizenship, allowing people to hold a Spanish passport alongside another nationality under certain conditions. However, the laws and processes can be complex, are influenced by your current nationality, your connections to Spain, and other various legal requirements.

 This guide will walk you through the essentials, and hopefully help you navigate the path to living your dream life in Spain.

Which countries does Spain allow to have dual citizenship?

When it comes to dual citizenship, Spain has a specific list of countries whose nationals are allowed to maintain their original nationality when becoming Spanish citizens. This privilege largely extends to nations with historical and linguistic ties to Spain. Here’s a detailed breakdown:

Ibero-American Countries

Nationals from Ibero-American countries, where Spanish or Portuguese is an official language, have an easier time of it. This includes Mexico, Brazil, and all of Central and South America. The historical and cultural bonds these countries share with Spain make the process more straightforward, allowing people from these nations to keep their original citizenship when they apply for Spanish nationality​.

Other Specific Nations

Spain also allows dual citizenship for nationals from Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea, Portugal, and even France under certain conditions. These agreements are part of bilateral treaties or special arrangements that reflect shared history or mutual agreements between Spain and these countries​.

Sephardic Jews

A unique provision exists for Sephardic Jews who can prove their heritage and ties to Spain. This acknowledgment is part of Spain’s effort to right historical wrongs, allowing those of Sephardic descent to claim Spanish citizenship without renouncing their current nationality​.

Eligibility Criteria

The general eligibility for maintaining dual citizenship with Spain requires that the applicant have a connection to the country through descent, marriage, or origin. 

If you’re from a country not specifically listed above, you generally need to renounce your original citizenship to become a Spanish national. 

Benefits of Holding Dual Citizenship

Dual citizenship with Spain opens up a wealth of opportunities that can enrich your lifestyle and broaden your horizons:

🇪🇸 Freedom to Live and Work in the EU

Dual citizenship allows you to live, work, or study anywhere in the European Union without the need for additional visas or residency permits. This freedom can be particularly valuable if you’re looking to explore new career paths or simply want to enjoy life in different parts of Europe​.

🇪🇸 Simplified Travel

A Spanish passport, give you access to over 190 countries, without a visa. Depending on your country of origin, this may make traveling easier or simply more convenient for you.

🇪🇸 You can Vote

As a dual citizen, you’re entitled to vote in both Spain and your home country. 

How to Get Spanish Nationality- Application process

Applying for dual citizenship in Spain involves a detailed and structured process that you need to follow closely to be successful. Here’s a quick guide to give you an idea of how you can go about it and what each step entails:

Naturalization

Naturalization in Spain is for those who have been living in Spain as residents for more than 2 or 10 years, depending on your circumstances. This path requires you to prove your integration into Spanish society through language skills and an understanding of the history and culture of the country.

Citizenship by Blood or Family Ties

Spanish citizenship can also be claimed through descent, allowing those with a Spanish parent or, in some cases, a Spanish grandparent to claim nationality. 

Spanish Citizenship by Investment- The Spanish Golden Visa

The Spanish Golden Visa program offers a route to citizenship through investment, which can involve purchasing real estate, making substantial financial deposits, or contributing to significant business investments that benefit the Spanish economy. Initially, this pathway gives you a residency visa, with the possibility of citizenship through naturalization after a decade of residence.

1. Assess Your Eligibility

First, you need to check if you meet the eligibility criteria for Spanish citizenship. This includes having a sufficient period of legal residency in Spain, which can range from two to ten years based on your circumstances, such as your employment status, whether you are married to a Spanish citizen, or if you’ve made exceptional contributions to Spain. Certain applicants, like those from Spanish-speaking countries or married to Spanish citizens, have reduced language requirements or residency periods​.

2. Gather Required Documentation

Prepare the necessary documentation which was requested to support your application:

• A valid passport or national identity card.
• Proof of legal residency in Spain, like a residence permit or registration certificates.
• Birth and, if applicable, marriage certificates.
• Evidence of Spanish language proficiency, typically a DELE certificate.
• Criminal record checks from your country of origin and any other countries you’ve lived in.
• Financial stability documents, such as tax returns and employment contracts.
• If applicable, documents proving extraordinary contributions to Spanish culture or economy. All documents must be translated into Spanish and legalized​.

3. Submit Your Application

You can file your application at the Civil Registry in Spain or at a Spanish consulate if you are applying from abroad. Ensure that all your forms are filled out accurately and that your documentation is complete to avoid any delays or rejections. If you’re in Spain, use the SEDE electrónica platform for online submissions​.

4. Attend Required Interviews and Tests

You may need to attend an interview to show how well you are integrated into Spanish society and take two essential tests:

• The DELE A2 Spanish language exam assesses basic language proficiency.
• The CCSE test evaluates your knowledge of the Spanish constitution and societal norms. Passing these tests is crucial unless you are exempt due to age or disability​.

5. Wait for Processing and Final Steps

After submitting your application, expect to wait several months to a year as your application is processed. During this period, you might be asked for additional information or to attend further interviews. Once your application is approved, you’ll need to take an oath of allegiance to Spain, which is a formal declaration of your commitment to uphold the Spanish constitution and laws​.

6. Post-Approval

After your citizenship is granted, you must register your new status in the Spanish Civil Register. This is a mandatory step to officially complete your acquisition of Spanish citizenship​.

This can be a long process since it involves many steps and does vary slightly based on individual circumstances, such as your country of origin or specific bilateral agreements Spain might have with your country regarding dual citizenship.

 Make sure to check with a legal expert in Spanish nationality law to make your application process go more smoothly, and take less time.

Renouncing your former nationality

Renouncing your previous citizenship is often a necessary part of becoming a Spanish citizen, especially if you come from one of the countries that doen’t have a dual citizenship agreement with Spain. It means making a formal declaration to relinquish your former nationality, which can usually be done at an embassy or consulate of your home country in Spain.

It’s important to understand the implications this has on your legal status and rights in your home country, such as voting or property ownership. Renunciation is a serious decision and often irreversible, impacting not just your national status but potentially affecting familial, social, and economic ties to your country of origin.

Spain Dual Citizenship FAQ

How long does the process take to obtain dual citizenship in Spain?

The time it takes to obtain Spanish citizenship can vary significantly. Generally, the process can take anywhere from 5-6 months to up to a year, depending on factors such as the complexity of your case and the workload at the processing office. For some applicants, especially in straightforward cases, recent changes have streamlined the process, which means shorter waiting times.

How much does it cost?

The cost of applying for Spanish citizenship is around €100. This fee covers the administrative expenses associated with processing your application but keep in mind that there might be additional costs for legal advice, document translation, and other fees.

Where can I take the DELE A2 or CCSE Spanish nationality tests?

To take the DELE A2 or CCSE exams required for Spanish nationality, you can register and sit for the tests at any official Instituto Cervantes  or other certified examination centers worldwide. The DELE A2 assesses Spanish language proficiency, while the CCSE evaluates knowledge of Spain’s constitution and societal norms. 

Exams are usually scheduled monthly, except in August and December. For registration details, testing locations, and preparation resources within Spain, visit the Instituto Cervantes website. For those living outside Spain, call your local embassy for more information on centres certified to give these tests.

Can children of Spanish nationals automatically acquire dual citizenship?

Children of Spanish nationals don’t automatically acquire dual citizenship. They need to qualify under the same conditions as any other applicant, which means they have to meet specific residency or descent criteria, even if one or both parents are Spanish nationals. 

However, children from Ibero-American countries, Equatorial Guinea, the Philippines, or Portugal do have an easier path to citizenship due to agreements between these countries and Spain

Can I lose my Spanish Citizenship?

Yes, it’s possible to lose Spanish citizenship. If you reside outside of Spain and don’t  use your Spanish citizenship for three years, primarily using another nationality, you could lose your Spanish citizenship. 

This can also happen if you don’t declare your intention to retain your Spanish nationality within three years of reaching legal age if you were born abroad to Spanish parents. Special considerations apply to those from countries with which Spain has dual nationality agreements; for these people, Spanish citizenship is not lost under these conditions

Can my application be rejected?

Yes, applications for Spanish citizenship can be rejected. Common reasons include incomplete or incorrect application forms, lack of necessary documentation, failure to meet residency requirements, or failing the required language and cultural knowledge tests. It’s also possible to be denied citizenship due to legal issues like a criminal record.

What is the new law in Spain for citizenship?

Recent changes in Spanish citizenship laws include updates to the application process for descendants of Sephardic Jews, allowing them to claim citizenship without a residency requirement, provided they can prove their heritage and a connection to Spain. Also, new laws have streamlined some processes, reducing the overall waiting times for application processing

Is it easier to get Portuguese or Spanish citizenship?

Comparing the ease of obtaining citizenship in Spain versus Portugal really depends on several personal factors like your circumstances and background. Portugal offers several pathways to citizenship, most of which are less demanding in terms of residency requirements compared to Spain. 

Portugal also has a program for descendants of Sephardic Jews that is similar to Spain’s but with some different requirements. Generally, both countries offer paths through naturalization, origin, and investment, but the specific conditions and requirements can make one or the other easier depending on your situation

Does Spain Allow Dual Citizenship?  The Wrap-Up

Getting dual citizenship in Spain can open doors to living and working across Europe, connecting you to Spain’s vibrant culture and history. The process involves a few intricate steps, like possibly having to give up your current nationality, unless you’re from certain countries with special agreements. 

It’s definitely worth getting some expert advice to help you through the details. This could be your ticket to new opportunities and adventures!