In this blog post, we will provide four tips for reducing the waiting time and speeding up the process of obtaining Spanish nationality. Although there is no guarantee that completing them will truly speed up the process, they will undoubtedly help minimize unnecessary friction at some places of the process.
To provide some context, obtaining Spanish nationality can be a lengthy process, with waiting times of up to several years. The average time it takes to receive a resolution for an application for Spanish nationality is around a year and a half. However, it is possible to receive a resolution within 6-24 months. The Ministry of Justice is required to respond to telematic requests within a year, but this is not always the reality. There are some cases where files are resolved in record time, but these are exceptions. It is important to be patient as the general rule is that it will take around a year and a half for a nationality file to be resolved. Also, nobody knows the exact resolution time of a nationality process. If someone promises to obtain your Spanish nationality at a specific time, just don’t trust it.
It seems that the Minister of Justice in Spain has implemented a new “internal application” to expedite the process of granting nationality. According to the latest news, this application has already had a significant impact, with the resolution of around 30,000 files in the month of August 2022 alone. This is particularly good news for those who have been waiting for a long time to have their nationality granted, as some files have been pending resolution for more than two or three years. In summer 2022 there were about 350.000 applications pending to be resolved! It’s not clear exactly how this internal application works or how it has been able to resolve such a large number of files in such a short period of time, but it’s definitely a positive development for those who have been waiting patiently for their nationality to be granted.
Let’s go with the tips:
First, if you are going to present your documentation by yourself, without professional help, it is recommended to submit your application electronically online. This will save you time by eliminating the need to make an appointment and physically present the documentation at the registry. Additionally, submitting the application online means that the authorities can begin the process of digitizing the documents more quickly, as it is simpler for them to digitize your uploaded documents instead of doing it from physical papers. You actually have four months from the date of creation to complete your application, if after that period you have not signed and sent the application, it will be automatically deleted.
Second, consider hiring a lawyer to submit the application through a professional registry, which is also online. This ensures that everything is properly uploaded and eliminates the possibility of errors or missing documents, which could be a reason for delay of the whole process. Additionally, having a lawyer present the application through this registry gives you an extra point of contact for expediting the process if it becomes delayed for more than a year. If this happens, and you decide to go this way, the lawyer will certainly charge you extra for it as it would mean more work for him. Overall, it is best to trust the process of obtaining Spanish nationality to a professional to ensure the best chances of success and a faster resolution.
Third, be sure to include all necessary documents with your application. This will prevent the authorities from requiring additional documentation and potentially delaying the process. It is important to carefully review the list of required documents and make sure you have everything you need before submitting your application. Missing documentation can be a reason for refusal of the nationality application.
The fourth and last tip will not really increase the speed of the application resolution, but it will make it more smooth. And that is, prepare in advance for the CCSE exam. The “Prueba de conocimientos constitucionales y socioculturales de España” is an exam prepared by the Instituto Cervantes that evaluates the candidate’s knowledge of the Constitution and the Spanish social and cultural reality. According to our Question & answer post “Is the CCSE Spanish citizenship exam difficult?” It should be easy to pass the exam, however everyone recommends studying in advance.
By following these four tips, you can increase your chances of a smooth and more efficient process in obtaining Spanish nationality.
Bonus tip: here’s the link to consult the current status of your nationality application so you don’t miss a minute!
This article is based on internet research and is no legal advice. If you need expert immigration lawyers to assist you, make sure to request a consulation with Spainguru’s recommended experts.
