Two years of residence for Spanish nationality: who qualifies
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.
Two years of legal residence, instead of ten, are enough for nationals of origin of Ibero-American countries, Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea and Portugal, and for Sephardim (Código Civil, art. 22.1).
Take the free CCSE mock, no sign-up
Origins in our table with two years
These 23 origins carry two years in our table, each with what it needs for the DELE A2:
- Andorra: DELE A2 required
- Argentina: DELE A2 waived
- Bolivia: DELE A2 waived
- Brazil: DELE A2 required
- Chile: DELE A2 waived
- Colombia: DELE A2 waived
- Costa Rica: DELE A2 waived
- Cuba: DELE A2 waived
- Dominican Republic: DELE A2 waived
- Ecuador: DELE A2 waived
- El Salvador: DELE A2 waived
- Equatorial Guinea: DELE A2 waived
- Guatemala: DELE A2 waived
- Honduras: DELE A2 waived
- Mexico: DELE A2 waived
- Nicaragua: DELE A2 waived
- Panama: DELE A2 waived
- Paraguay: DELE A2 waived
- Peru: DELE A2 waived
- Philippines: DELE A2 required
- Portugal: DELE A2 required
- Uruguay: DELE A2 waived
- Venezuela: DELE A2 waived
What the Code does not settle
The Código Civil says “países iberoamericanos” and gives no list of countries; we found no official one. Our table follows the list of origins of the years-and-exams checker.
Brazil is not named in art. 22.1 (it says "países iberoamericanos" with no list), but the Audiencia Nacional has applied the two-year period to Brazilian applicants in two judgments (3 June 2025, rec. 1563/2022; 11 December 2023, rec. 2820/2021).
The two-year period is for nationals of origin. If you acquired the nationality later, the text we quote does not say whether it applies: ask.
Sephardim are named in the same sentence of art. 22.1. Whether the DELE A2 is waived for them is answered on the Sephardic origin card (Sephardic origin, in Spanish).
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.
Take the free CCSE mock, no sign-up
The mock and its explanations are in Arabic, French and English.
Explanation written with AI from the official source cited on this page.
CiviqPass is an independent practice service for the CCSE and DELE A2 (reading, listening and writing). Each answer links to its source. Last updated .