Guide: residence periods for nationality: requirements and documents

General requirements

You must prove identity, lawful stay or residence, the invoked ground and absence of entry bans. Each procedure adds specific requirements published on the official sheet.

Identity documents

Full valid passport or travel document. For minors, legal representation documents. Copies of all relevant pages.

Proof of the legal ground

Contracts, certificates, integration reports, family or employment evidence depending on the procedure. Must match the EX form submitted.

Translations and legalisation

Foreign-language documents require sworn translation into Spanish. Foreign certificates usually need apostille or prior consular legalisation.

Fees and payment models

Check the current 790 form or other code, the updated amount and that the receipt shows your name and the correct procedure code.

Pre-submission checklist

Check certificate validity (criminal records often expire after 3 or 6 months), date consistency in empadronamiento and that no mandatory annex is missing.

Step by step

1. Check the residence period that applies to your country of origin (10 years general, 2 for Ibero-Americans, 1 for refugees, etc.).
2. Gather historical empadronamiento certificates and employment or financial records.
3. Obtain and apostille birth, marriage and criminal record certificates.
4. Submit the application at the Civil Registry or enabled electronic portal.
5. Pass CCSE and DELE A2 if not exempt.
6. Await resolution and, if favourable, take the oath or pledge of loyalty.

Requirements

• Legal and continuous residence in Spain for the period applicable to your country of origin.
• Historical empadronamiento consistent with the declared residence period.
• Criminal record certificates from your country of origin and countries where you have lived.
• Passing CCSE and DELE A2 exams (unless exempt by origin country or language).
• Nationality fee paid and application form completed.