Tools for foreign nationals
Find out in one minute when you can apply for Spanish nationality, or whether your application has gone too long without an answer. Each result tells you which law it is based on.
Spanish nationality calculator
It tells you how many years of legal residence you need and from what date you can file your application for nationality by residence, under article 22 of the Código Civil (Spanish Civil Code).
Your result
Fill in your details and press «Calculate».
| Case | Years of legal residence |
|---|---|
| General rule | 10 years |
| Refugees | 5 years |
| Nationals by origin of Ibero-American countries, Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea or Portugal, and Sephardic Jews | 2 years |
| Born in Spain; married to a Spanish national for one year; widows or widowers of a Spanish national; born outside Spain to a father, mother, grandfather or grandmother who was Spanish by origin; two years under Spanish guardianship or foster care; anyone who did not exercise the right to opt in time | 1 year |
Source: Código Civil, article 22 · Ministerio de Justicia (Ministry of Justice). Guidance only: besides the time requirement, you need good civic conduct and integration (CCSE exam and, except for Spanish speakers, DELE A2). If part of your time was under another status, such as a stay for studies, ask us whether it counts.
Am I waiting too long?
The Administration has a maximum time limit to decide. If it does not answer in time, the application is deemed refused (negative administrative silence) and you can appeal. Check whether your deadline has already passed.
Your result
Choose the procedure, enter the date and press «Check».
| Procedure | Time limit to decide | If there is no answer |
|---|---|---|
| Spanish nationality by residence | 1 year from registration at the processing body | Deemed refused: recurso de reposición (appeal for reconsideration) or contencioso-administrativo (judicial review) |
| Arraigo and other initial residence permits | 3 months | Deemed refused: recurso de reposición (appeal for reconsideration) or contencioso-administrativo (judicial review) |
| Extraordinary regularisation 2026 | 3 months from entry in the registry | Deemed refused: recurso de alzada (hierarchical appeal) |
Sources: RD 1004/2015, art. 11.3 · Reglamento de Extranjería (Immigration Regulations, RD 1155/2024) · RD 316/2026 · Ley 39/2015, arts. 122 y 124. Guidance only: the time limit is suspended if you have been asked for documents (requerimiento) and resumes when you provide them. Each decision states which appeal is available.
Frequently asked questions
How many years do I need to apply for Spanish nationality?
Ten years of legal residence as a general rule; five if you are a refugee; two if you are a national by origin of an Ibero-American country, Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea or Portugal, or a Sephardic Jew; and one in cases such as having been born in Spain or having been married to a Spanish national for one year.
How long does the Ministry have to decide on nationality?
One year from the date the application is registered at the body processing it. If it does not decide within that time, the application is deemed rejected and you can appeal.
What do I do if I get no answer?
You can file the appropriate appeal. When the refusal is by silence, the law allows you to appeal at any time once the deadline has passed, without the one-month limit that applies to express decisions.
Do these tools replace a lawyer?
No. They give guidance based on the law. Every case has nuances (absences, document requests, type of permit), so we recommend reviewing yours with us.
