There are several ways to obtain Spanish Citizenship:

1. Discretionary naturalization (Carta de Naturaleza).
2. Possession of “status” – i.e., anyone who has possessed or used Spanish nationality, recorded by the Civil Registry, for ten years on a continual basis and in good faith, while exercising their rights and in fulfilling their obligations to the Spanish State.
3. By “option” – i.e., (i) Foreign nationals who are or have been under to the parental authority of a Spanish citizen. *N.B.These rights expire at the age of 20. (ii) Foreign nationals who have a Spanish mother or father or were born in Spain. (iii) Foreign nationals who establish they are of Spanish parentage or birth after they reach 18 – in these cases, applicants have two years to claim Spanish nationality from the date their parentage or birth was determined. (iv) Foreign nationals who have been legally adopted by Spanish citizens after they reach the age of 18. The right to claim Spanish nationality is valid for two years after the date of adoption.
4. Establishing Sephardic heritage.
5. Legal Residency. This is the most common route to naturalization and as a general rule citizenship can be applied for after a period of ten years living legally, and continuously in Spain – although in some cases this time frame may be less:

• • Five years residency is required for those who have obtained refugee status.
  • Two years residency is required for nationals of Ibero-American countries, Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea, Portugal or people of Sephardic heritage.
  • One year of residency is required for anyone born in a Spanish territory. Children born in Spain can apply Spanish citizenship after one year of legal and continuous residence in Spain.

In addition, there may be a right to claim Spanish citizenship for:

• People who did not properly exercise their rights to acquire Spanish nationality by option (see above).
• People who, at the time of the application were married to a Spanish citizen for a year and are not legally separated.
• The widower or widow of a Spanish citizen, if, at the time of the death of the spouse they were not separated (de facto or legally separated).
• Anyone born outside of Spain to a Spanish mother or father.

In accordance with article 22 of the Spanish Civil Code, anyone applying for Spanish citizenship must show evidence of civic responsibility and an established degree of integration into Spanish society.