MigraVisas AUSTRALIA

The long-term goal

Spanish Citizenship for Australians

Spanish citizenship gives you an EU passport and the right to live and work anywhere in the European Union. Most people get there after years of legal residence in Spain. Here's how the routes, exams and dual nationality work.

Ask about your situation
Standard route
10 years
Legal, continuous residence in Spain
Married to a Spaniard
1 year
Of residence, while married and living together
Latin American nationals
2 years
Also Portugal, Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea
Exams
DELE A2 + CCSE
Spanish language and a civics test

Requirements: who qualifies

  • Legal, continuous residence in Spain for the required time, right before you apply. Tourist stays don't count.
  • 10 years for most Australians. Time on residence permits such as the digital nomad, non-lucrative or work permits counts — check how any student years count before you plan around them.
  • 1 year if you're married to a Spanish citizen and living together, if you were born in Spain, or if a parent or grandparent was originally Spanish.
  • 2 years if you were born a citizen of a Latin American country, Portugal, Andorra, the Philippines or Equatorial Guinea.
  • 5 years for recognised refugees.
  • Pass the DELE A2 Spanish exam and the CCSE civics test. Native Spanish speakers don't need the DELE.
  • Good civic conduct and no criminal record.

How the process works

  1. 1 A 15-minute chat We map your route and the date you could apply.
  2. 2 Exams Prepare for and book the DELE A2 and the CCSE.
  3. 3 Application Documents, translations and the online application to Spain's Ministry of Justice.
  4. 4 Oath & passport Swear allegiance at the Civil Registry, then get your DNI and Spanish passport.

Frequently asked questions

Can I keep my Australian citizenship if I become Spanish?

Spain has no dual nationality agreement with Australia, so it asks you to declare that you renounce your Australian citizenship. Australia allows dual citizenship and only ends it through its own formal renunciation process, so many people keep both in practice. Get advice on your own situation before you apply.

How long does it take to get Spanish citizenship?

Once you've completed the residence time, decisions currently often take 12 to 24 months. Sitting your exams and gathering documents early avoids extra delays.

My parent or grandparent was Spanish. Can I become Spanish faster?

Possibly. If a parent or grandparent was originally Spanish, you may be able to apply after just 1 year of legal residence in Spain. The special Democratic Memory Law route for descendants closed in October 2025.

I'm Spanish and became an Australian citizen. Am I still Spanish?

Not always. Spaniards living abroad who take another citizenship can lose Spanish nationality unless they declare they want to keep it within 3 years. If this applies to you, check your status with the Spanish consulate — recovering nationality is often possible.

My child was born in Australia to a Spanish parent. Are they Spanish?

Usually yes — a child of a Spanish parent is Spanish from birth. Register the birth at the Spanish consulate so they can get a Spanish passport. They'll need to declare that they want to keep Spanish nationality within 3 years of turning 18.

Questions about becoming Spanish?

A relaxed 15-minute chat in Australian hours to get to know you and understand your plans and ideas. No pressure, no obligation.

Book a chat

Last reviewed November 2026 by Bo Saldana, Gestor Administrativo Colegiado (licensed Spanish immigration adviser).