How do I become a Spanish citizen? The rules and procedures in 2025

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How do I become a Spanish citizen? The rules and procedures in 2025
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Obtaining Spanish citizenship is a cherished dream for many people. According to the Spanish National Institute of Statistics (INE), over 240,000 people will have obtained Spanish citizenship in 2023.

Why is Spanish citizenship so sought after? The answer is simple: it opens up numerous opportunities.

In Spain, you are only allowed to work in the public sector if you have Spanish nationality. Furthermore, a Spanish passport allows you to live, work, or study anywhere in the European Union.

Who can apply for Spanish citizenship?
As a general rule, you must have lived in Spain for at least ten years before applying. However, there are exceptions: If you are married to a Spaniard or are from certain countries, the waiting period is significantly shortened.

Citizens of most Latin American countries, as well as people from Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea, Portugal, and people of Sephardic Jewish descent, can apply for citizenship after just two years of legal residence.

How do you obtain Spanish citizenship?
To officially become a Spanish citizen, you must pass two exams:

A Spanish language proficiency test (unless Spanish is already your native language).

The CCSE exam, which tests your knowledge of Spanish culture, society, and constitution.
The CCSE exam is administered by the Instituto Cervantes and is mandatory for almost everyone applying for citizenship. Again, there are some exceptions: If you completed secondary school or higher education in Spain, or if you have certain recognized learning disabilities, you may be exempt from this requirement.

How does the CCSE exam work?
The CCSE exam is not designed to mislead you. Rather, it is designed to ensure that you understand the basic aspects of life in Spain. These include the rights and responsibilities of citizens, how the government works, and knowledge of history, geography, and important traditions.

The test consists of 25 questions, presented as multiple-choice or true/false. The questions are divided into two main areas:

Government, Law, and Civic Participation (60% of the exam)
Spanish Culture, History, and Society (40%)
Typical questions include, for example, knowledge of the current Prime Minister, certain parts of the Constitution, or common Spanish customs.

How much time do you have for the exam and how much does it cost?
The CCSE exam lasts 45 minutes. To pass, you must answer at least 15 of the 25 questions correctly. The good news: The Instituto Cervantes provides a free official study guide that you can download online.

The exam fee for 2025 is €85 and includes two attempts if you fail the first time. Registration and payment are made through the official Instituto Cervantes website.

When and where can the exam be taken?
The CCSE exam is held monthly at official Instituto Cervantes centers, both in Spain and abroad. Registration opens several months in advance.

All details, including test dates, preparation materials, and registration options, can be found on the official Instituto Cervantes website at cervantes.es.