One year of residence for Spanish nationality: born in Spain, spouses and other cases
Sources: 6 links, read on 24 October 2026.
Código Civil, art. 22 (BOE, consolidated text); Real Decreto 1004/2015, art. 6 (BOE); Orden JUS/1625/2016, art. 10 (BOE); Ministry of Justice: application fee (tasa 790-026), read 22 Oct 2026; Instituto Cervantes: DELE A2 price table (copy of 21 May 2026); Instituto Cervantes: CCSE FAQ (copy of 7 Aug 2026), read on 24 October 2026.
One year of legal residence is enough in six cases listed in art. 22.2 of the Código Civil, among them people born in Spain and people married to a Spaniard.
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The six cases of art. 22.2
- People born in Spanish territory. (art. 22.2.a)
- People who did not use the right to opt in time. (art. 22.2.b)
- People who have been legally under the guardianship, curatorship with full powers of representation, custody or fostering of a Spanish citizen or institution for two consecutive years, even if they are still in that situation when they apply. (art. 22.2.c)
- People who have been married to a Spaniard for one year when they apply and are not legally or de facto separated. (art. 22.2.d)
- Widows and widowers of a Spaniard, if there was no legal or de facto separation when the spouse died. (art. 22.2.e)
- People born outside Spain to a parent or grandparent who was originally Spanish. (art. 22.2.f)
What stays the same
Art. 22.3 adds that, for case d, a spouse who lives with a Spanish diplomatic or consular official accredited abroad counts as legally resident in Spain.
The exams are those of every other origin: the CCSE, and the DELE A2 unless it is waived.
Exams and fees
The CCSE is required in every group. The DELE A2 is waived for nationals of the 20 countries and territories in art. 6.5 of Real Decreto 1004/2015 and for holders of an earlier DELE diploma at A2 or higher. State and exam fees: €189.05 with the CCSE only, €327.05 with the CCSE and the DELE A2 (fee page).
Conditions in every group
Residence must be legal, continuous and immediately before the application (art. 22.3). You must show good civic conduct and a sufficient degree of integration (art. 22.4).
All origins in one table: Years to Spanish nationality by country. Your own dates: years-and-exams checker.
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