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Support on the Way to Spanish Permanent Residence and Citizenship
The road to a Spanish passport takes years and is made up of renewals, status changes and exams. We manage it from start to finish so your residence period is never broken by a missed deadline or the wrong basis.
For most foreigners, Spanish citizenship by residence means 10 years of legal and continuous residence. There is a milestone on the way: after 5 years you can get long-term residence, which no longer has to be backed by proof of income each time. At every step it is easy to lose time: miss a renewal date, choose a status that only partly counts, or leave the country for too long. We handle your case from the first renewal to the citizenship application and make sure your years of residence add up without gaps.
To apply for citizenship you will need two exams: Spanish at DELE A2 level and the CCSE test on the Spanish constitution and culture. In addition, Spain as a rule requires you to give up your previous citizenship. It is worth thinking this through early, especially if you have a business or property back home.
Who it is for
- Holders of a digital nomad permit, startup visa, student permit or another status
- People who plan to stay in Spain for the long term
- Families who want each member's residence period to run without gaps
- Anyone who wants to know when and what to apply for without studying the law on their own
Requirements
- Legal and continuous residence: 5 years for long-term residence, as a rule 10 years for citizenship
- Renewals and status changes made on time, with no gaps
- No criminal record in Spain or in your country of origin
- DELE A2 and CCSE exams for the citizenship application
- Proof of integration: work or income, taxes, local registration
What we do
- Draw up a plan: which statuses, when to renew, when to apply for long-term residence and citizenship
- Handle renewals and changes of basis and keep track of deadlines
- Check how your status counts toward the required residence period
- Prepare the documents for long-term residence
- Advise you on how to prepare for the DELE and CCSE exams
- Put together and file your citizenship application and answer requests
Key documents
- Passport and TIE cards for the whole period
- Local registration certificates (empadronamiento) for your years of residence
- Birth certificate with an apostille and sworn translation
- Criminal record certificates from Spain and your country of origin
- DELE A2 and CCSE certificates
- Proof of work, income and tax payments
How it works
- Planwe review your current status and calculate when you become eligible for long-term residence and citizenship
- Renewals and status changeshandled without gaps or missed deadlines
- Long-term residenceafter 5 years of legal residence, an application for long-term residence
- ExamsDELE A2 and CCSE before the citizenship application
- Citizenshipfiling the application, waiting for the decision, then taking the oath
Timeline
Years, depending on your basis: long-term residence after 5 years of legal residence, citizenship as a rule after 10.
Timelines are approximate: government agencies, consulates and banks set them.
What to watch out for
- Long absences from Spain can break your residence period
- Not every status counts toward the residence period in the same way, so we check in advance
- A missed renewal deadline can reset the years you have built up
- Citizenship applications take a long time to process, so plan for it
FAQ
How much does it cost?
Our service fee is on request. Government fees, translations, insurance and other mandatory costs are paid separately; we send the full estimate before you sign.
How many years does it take to get Spanish citizenship by residence?
For most foreigners, 10 years of legal and continuous residence. Shorter periods apply to citizens of a number of Latin American countries, to spouses of Spanish citizens and in some other cases. Everyone else follows the general rule.
When can I get permanent residence in Spain?
After 5 years of legal and continuous residence you can apply for long-term residence. It does not require regular proof of income and makes life much easier until you apply for citizenship.
Will I have to give up my current citizenship?
As a rule, yes: Spain allows dual citizenship only for citizens of certain countries. If your country is not on that list, you will be asked to give up your previous citizenship. Take this into account when planning, especially if you have assets back home.
Which exams do I need to pass?
Spanish at DELE A2 level and the CCSE test on the constitution, culture and society of Spain. Both exams are run by the Instituto Cervantes. It is best to take them early so the certificates are ready when you apply.
Does time as a student or on a digital nomad permit count?
Time on a digital nomad permit and other residence statuses counts. Study time is counted under special rules that changed with the 2025 reform. We will check your residence period against your documents and tell you how not to lose it.
How long does a citizenship application take?
Processing takes a long time, and it depends on the Ministry of Justice's workload and how complete your file is. We monitor your case and answer requests on time so it does not get stuck on our side.
Do you guarantee the result?
No. Decisions are made by government agencies, consulates and banks. We are responsible for preparing and checking documents, filing and support, and we tell you about the risks upfront.
Related programs
Let’s discuss your case
We will check whether the program fits your citizenship, income and family, and send an estimate with the full list of costs.
