Spanish Government Announces One-Year Citizenship Eligibility

The Spanish government has published official guidance detailing six categories of individuals who qualify for Spanish nationality after just one year of legal residence, a significant reduction from the standard ten-year requirement for most foreigners. This information was made available on the official Spanish public administration portal, last updated on April 13, 2026.

The six categories eligible for this expedited citizenship process include: 1) Persons born in Spanish territory; 2) Persons who have not exercised their right to acquire Spanish nationality by option; 3) Individuals who have been legally placed in the custody, guardianship, or foster care of a Spanish citizen or institution for two consecutive years; 4) Persons married to a Spanish national for one year with no legal or de facto separation; 5) Widows or widowers of Spanish nationals without separation at the time of death; and 6) Persons born outside Spain to a Spanish parent or grandparent. The rules aim to facilitate citizenship for those with close ties to Spain.