Spain’s dual citizenship is allowed, but mainly for nationals of Ibero-American countries, Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea, Portugal, and France, as well as for those who acquire it through descent. These nationals can get Spanish dual citizenship without needing to give up their previous passport.
This means people from other countries, such as the US, UK, and Canada, who are interested in obtaining a Spanish passport must renounce their original passport. Spain has several citizenship routes to choose from, such as naturalization, marriage, descent, and, by option, for specific qualifying applicants.
This guide will explore everything you need to know about obtaining Spanish dual citizenship, including its advantages, requirements, eligibility criteria, and the detailed application process.
Spain Dual Citizenship: Key Takeaways
Does Spain allow dual citizenship?
Yes, Spain allows dual citizenship, but primarily for individuals from countries with specific historical or cultural connections to Spain. Under Spanish law, citizens of Ibero-American countries, Portugal, Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea, and France can obtain Spanish citizenship through a 2022 bilateral agreement without giving up their original passport. In many other countries, including the US, UK, and Canada, applicants interested in a Spanish passport are technically required to renounce their previous nationality.
In most circumstances, the renunciation is simply a formal declaration made to the Spanish authorities. It does not require you to go to your home country’s embassy or officially cancel your original passport there. As a result, many people continue to hold and use both passports in practice. However, inside Spain, they must use their Spanish nationality for all legal matters.
6 Benefits of Spanish Dual Citizenship
- Live and work: Choosing Spain as your second passport means you can move, live, and work in any of the EU member states, including Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein, without needing a visa or work permit. The Spanish passport is also powerful, ranking 20th on our Global Passport Index, and grants visa-free and visa-on-arrival access to 184 countries.
- Education: You and your children qualify for lower tuition fees at prestigious European universities, which are significantly lower than international fees.
- Healthcare: As a Spanish passport holder, you gain access to the Spanish National Health System (SNS) and the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) for medical coverage across the EU.
- Voting rights: Unlike having residency alone, citizenship gives you the right to vote in Spanish general and regional elections, as well as European Parliament elections.
- Consular protection: You have the right to diplomatic protection from both Spain and your country of origin while traveling abroad. In countries without a Spanish embassy, you can ask for help from any EU member state’s consulate.
- Family heritage: Citizenship is an investment that is also easier to pass down to your children, which ensures future generations keep their European status regardless of where they are born.
Countries with Dual Nationality Agreements with Spain
| Category | Countries | Residency Required |
|---|---|---|
| Ibero-American | Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela, Puerto Rico | 2 Years |
| Special Ties | Portugal, Philippines, Andorra, Equatorial Guinea | 2 Years |
| European Union | France (Bilateral agreement effective since 2022) | 10 Years* |
| Historical | Sephardic Jews (with proven ancestral connection) | None |
How to get Spanish dual Citizenship in 2026
1. Citizenship through residency
The most well-known way to become a Spanish citizen is to live legally in Spain for a certain number of years and demonstrate integration into Spanish society. This is also known as Spanish citizenship by naturalization, and for most foreign nationals, the required period of continuous legal residence is 10 years. However, there are shorter exceptions in specific cases:
- 5 years for recognized refugees.
- 2 years for citizens of Ibero-American countries, as well as nationals of Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea, Portugal, and Sephardic Jews.
2. Citizenship by marriage
Citizenship through marriage is another faster way to get Spanish citizenship. If you are married to a Spanish citizen, you can apply for citizenship after one year of legal residence in Spain, as long as you are still married and living together. The marriage must be legally registered in Spain, and you must submit proof that the relationship is genuine.
3. Citizenship by descent
Children born to at least one Spanish parent automatically qualify for Spanish citizenship by descent, regardless of where they are born. This also applies to children adopted by Spanish citizens.
4. Citizenship by option
Citizenship by option is a special route available only to particular people. It applies to:
- People who were under the parental authority of a Spanish citizen.
- People whose parents or place of birth was legally recognized after they turned 18. In these cases, they have two years to apply.
- Important note: This option must be exercised before the applicant turns 20.
Eligibility Criteria for Dual Citizenship in Spain in 2026
- To apply for citizenship by residency, you must have lived in Spain legally and continuously for the required timeframe:
- 10 Years: The standard requirement for most foreign nationals
- 5 Years: For those with official refugee status.
- 2 Years: For nationals of Ibero-American countries, Portugal, Andorra, the Philippines, and Equatorial Guinea.
- 1 Year: For those married to a Spaniard, children of Spaniards, or those born on Spanish soil.
- No criminal history in Spain or your home country for the last five years.
- You must pass the CCSE on culture and laws exam, and the DELE A2 language exam . People from Spanish-speaking countries do not need to take the language test.
- You cannot be outside of Spain for more than three consecutive months for the 2-year rule or six consecutive months for the 10-year rule during your residency period.
Required Documents for Spanish Dual Citizenship
- Full Valid Passport
- An original birth certificate from your country of origin.
- A criminal record certificate that was issued by your home country and any country you’ve lived in during the last five years.
- Your current TIE (Foreigner Identity Card) or EU Registration Certificate.
- Certificado de Empadronamiento, which is a certificate from your municipality proving your continuous residence in Spain.
- Proof of passing the CCSE culture test and the DELE A2 language exam
- Receipt for the administration fee (Tasa 790-026), which is €105
- Marriage certificate if you are applying for citizenship through marriage.
All foreign documents must be apostilled and translated into Spanish by a Sworn Translator authorized by the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Application Process for Spanish Dual Citizenship
- Step 1: Confirm eligibility: Before starting, you must confirm that you are eligible to apply for Spanish dual citizenship and that your country has an agreement with Spain. It is also important to make sure you have taken both the cultural and language tests, and you meet all the residency stay requirements.
- Step 2: Documents and fee payment: Put together all required documents and make sure they are apostilled in your country of origin and translated by an official Spanish sworn translator. Then pay the Tasa 790-026 of €105 at a local bank and keep the stamped receipt.
- Step 3: Submit application online: Submit the application via the Sede Electrónica of the Ministry of Justice. You will need a Digital Certificate or Cl@ve to sign and submit the application electronically. When you have submitted everything, you can track your file’s progress through the Cómo va lo mío online platform.
- Step 4: Wait for processing and approval: Citizenship applications can take 18–24 months or longer to be processed. This is the stage where the authorities review your documents and verify your eligibility.
- Step 5. Final approval and Oath of Allegiance: If your application is successful, you will receive notification of approval. You are then required to take an oath of allegiance to the King and the Constitution of Spain and sign the oath in front of a judge or civil authority.
The Cost of Dual Citizenship in Spain
- Spanish nationality fee (Tasa 790-026): €105. This is a non-refundable administrative fee paid to the Ministry of Justice before submitting your application.
- DNI (national ID card): €12. Paid at the police station after citizenship is granted.
- Spanish passport: €30. Paid once your Spanish passport has been issued.
- CCSE Exam (culture & laws): €85. Required for all applicants.
- DELE A2 Exam (language): €134–€138. Only required for nationals from non-Spanish-speaking countries.
- Sworn translations: Roughly €50–€80 per document.
- Apostilles: Costs vary by your home country, but budget about €20-€100 per document to legalize them for use in Spain.
How long does it take to get your Spanish dual passport?
- Application submission: If submitted correctly via a lawyer or with a digital certificate, many applicants in 2026 are seeing resolutions in 8 to 12 months. But more complicated applications can still take 18 to 24 months because of the backlog.
- The Oath: You have 180 days to swear allegiance, and the wait for an appointment can be 2 to 5 months.
- DNI & passport: Once the oath is registered, you visit a National Police station. The ID card and passport are printed and handed to you on the spot or within a few days.
Other Spanish Visas
These visas do not automatically lead you to citizenship, but they can start pushing you toward the residency stay requirement and help you work your way to Spanish permanent residency after five years and eventually citizenship.
Spain Digital Nomad Visa
The Spain Digital Nomad Visa allows non-EU remote workers and freelancers to live and work in Spain for one year, with the possibility of extending up to five years. To qualify, applicants must earn at least €2,850 per month, work for a company based outside Spain or run a remote business with international clients, and have valid private health insurance.
Spain Non-Lucrative Visa
The Spain Non-Lucrative Visa is created for non-EU nationals who want to live in Spain without working in the country. It’s best for retirees or for people with passive income, such as pensions or rental income. Applicants must demonstrate a minimum monthly income of €2,400 and the ability to support themselves while living in Spain.
How Can Global Citizen Solutions Help You?
Global Citizen Solutions is a boutique migration consultancy firm with years of experience delivering bespoke residence and citizenship by investment solutions for international families. With offices worldwide and an experienced, hands-on team, we have helped hundreds of clients worldwide acquire citizenship, residence visas, or homes while diversifying their portfolios with robust investments.
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