Spain Offers Fast-Track Citizenship for 23 Nations

The Spanish government has confirmed that citizens from a select group of 23 countries can apply for Spanish nationality after just two years of legal residency, a significant reduction from the standard ten-year requirement for most foreign nationals. This information was published in an official guide on acquiring Spanish nationality, last updated on April 13, 2026.

The guide outlines four routes to naturalisation: by option, by discretionary conferral, by residency, and by possession of status, all leading to registration on the Spanish Civil Register. Eligible countries include Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela, Andorra, the Philippines, and Portugal.

The Spanish government states that any person over the age of 14 can file an application directly, while those under 18 must do so through a legal representative.