Question
Has anyone done the Spanish citizenship process, after 2 years (I mean, before needing to renew the 3-year Digital Nomad Visa), and could share how was the process and what was required? Thanks.
Answers
These are the answers of Spainguru’s Facebook group members:
“The 2-year fastrack to Spanish citizenship is only for Spain’s former colonies.”
“I’m from a former Spanish colony, and I’m on my first year DNV. I’m currently studying Spanish to pass my A2 DELE.”
“If you hold a passport gained via bloodline from a country that has Spanish as its official language, you don’t need to do the language exam.”
“It’s not really just former Spanish colonies. It’s for Iberian countries and the Philippines.” – “Brazil too.”
“What if I naturalize in one of those fast-track countries? Can I then get Spanish citizenship on fast track?” – “No.”
“I’ve done the citizenship process, but not on a DNV and had to do the full 10 years. It’s not much different. What would you like to know?”
“Do you have a link of where to submit the Application online?” – “Here“
“Full copies of all passports held under the qualifying period.
Birth certificate not more than 3 months old.
Criminal record checks not more than 3 months old from the countries you have nationalities for.
The above needs to be apostilled and sworn translated.
A2 Spanish certificate from Cervantes unless from a country where Spanish is an official language.
CCSE cultural exam from Cervantes (valid for 4 years so start now).
TIE.
Padron (though I think they can check this automatically).
Can tick a box for them to check the Spanish criminal record automatically.
That’s it. Payment of 104.50 euros.
All done online with digital certificate.
You can open a case and then have 4 months to complete it.
Usually granted in 6 months to a year.
Once granted you will need to arrange the swearing in locally. Usually at the registry office. Appointments can be hard to come by. You’ll need to swear to renounce any other nationality (apart from LatAm or Filipino). Once sworn in you’ll need to go back and pick up your birth certificate, and then finally make an appointment for your Spanish DNI and passport. This process can take several months or more depending where you are.”
“Is there a time limit on the validity of the A2 Cervantes certificate? I finished an A2 course at a Cervantes-certified school here in Madrid and passed the exam a couple months ago, but won’t be applying for citizenship for a few years (by then I hope to be C1).”
“No. It lasts forever. The plus is you can use a higher qualification. I used a B2 I had taken 8 years previously.”
“The DNV has barely been around for two years, since we saw the first approvals come through in Feb 2023, so those eligible for citizenship would only be applying now or later this year.”
Conclusion
Members of the Spanish Digital Nomad Visa community confirmed that it is possible to apply for Spanish citizenship after two years of legal residence if you are from certain countries—specifically Ibero-American nations, the Philippines, Andorra, Equatorial Guinea, or Portugal. For others, the path typically requires ten years of continuous residence.
To apply, applicants need documents such as a recent birth certificate, apostilled and translated criminal record checks, and evidence of legal residence such as a TIE. Most also need to pass the A2 Spanish language test and the CCSE cultural exam—although those from Spanish-speaking countries may be exempt from the language requirement.
The application process is completed online through Spain’s Ministry of Justice website, and while approval timelines vary, the final steps include a local swearing-in ceremony and acquiring Spanish ID documents.
Since the DNV is a newer visa category, eligible applicants are just now reaching the two-year mark to apply for fast-tracked citizenship.
