Eligibility
The general pathway to Spanish citizenship by residence requires you to have lived in Spain legally and continuously for at least ten years. Shorter periods apply for refugees (five years), nationals of Latin American countries, Portugal, Andorra and the Philippines (two years) and spouses of Spanish citizens or children of Spanish parents (one year).
Applicants must be at least 18 and have a clean criminal record. You need to demonstrate “good civic conduct” and sufficient integration into Spanish society, which includes the ability to speak Spanish and an understanding of the country’s constitution and social norms. Spain typically requires applicants to renounce their previous nationality unless they are from an exempted country.