Do you have a dream to live, work, or study in Spain? Are you a Mexican citizen? The good news is, you can! Due to the close cultural and historical connection between Spain and Mexico, the nationality law of Spain provides Mexicans with a special privilege: after two years of legal residency in Spain, they are eligible to apply for citizenship without the typical ten-year requirement.
In this guide, I will provide the whole process of how Mexicans can obtain citizenship in Spain-what qualifies a person, what documents are required to be resident, and what exams they must pass (DELE and CCSE).
Ways Mexicans Can Obtain Spanish Citizenship
The Spanish nationality can be acquired by Mexicans in various legal channels:
1. Citizenship by Residency
This is the most usual route for Mexicans. Under normal circumstances, a foreigner must have 10 years of legal residency in Spain in order to apply.
Key points:
- You have to be legally living and continuously in Spain, where 2 2-year is required.
- Continuous does not in any way mean that you cannot travel, but it should not be more than 3 months in a row or 6 months in total in 2 years.
2. Citizenship by Marriage
In case a Mexican marries a Spanish citizen, the residency requirement is even lower. Citizenship is available to you after only 1 year with legal residence in Spain, as long as you are alive and still together as a family.
3. Citizenship by Descent
You are Mexican but have Spanish grandparents or parents, then you could be a national by descent.
- Children of Spanish nationals – Automatically eligible, regardless of place of birth.
4. Citizenship by Option
This is in the case of Mexicans whose parents were Spanish but never asserted their nationality at birth. This route normally favors the minors and the dependents.
Step-by-Step Process
To apply for Spanish nationality as a Mexican citizen, the following steps are the full procedure to be followed:
Step 1: The Residency Advantage for Mexicans
Spain takes a duration of 10 years of legal residence before a foreigner can get citizenship. Nevertheless, you just have to have 2 years of legal residence and continuous residence in Spain being a Mexican. This is a huge advantage to you in that the road to citizenship is reduced by 80%.
Step 2: Obtain Legal Residency in Spain
You will have to live in Spain on record before you get two years old to count. Mexicans can receive residency in several ways:
- Work Visa – in case of an employment offer in Spain by an employer.
- Student Visa –in case you are studying in Spain at a higher education.
- Non-Lucrative Residence Visa –in case you can support yourself without employment in Spain.
- Family Reunification Visa –in case you already have close relatives in Spain who are legally living.
Step 3: Maintain Continuous Residency
Two years in Spain is a condition. This means:
- It is necessary to avoid long absences in Spain (abs with a short period are permitted).
- You are to keep in mind that you must have a valid residency permit.
- Identification with Spain (housing, work, studies, or family).
Step 4: Pass the Required Exams
You need to show that you can fit into the Spanish society before you can go any further. This entails two formal tests:
- DELE Exam (Diploma de Espanol como Lengua Extranjera)
- Tests Spanish language skills.
- Being a Mexican, your Spanish is already indigenous, hence this exam is normally not done or is very simple for you.
- CCSE Exam (Conocimientos Constitucionales y Socioculturales de España)
- Tests knowledge of Spanish history, culture, society, and constitution.
- Organized by the Instituto Cervantes.
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Step 5: Gather All Required Documents
To apply, you must prepare and submit:
- Valid Mexican passport.
- Residence card in Spain.
- Birth certificate (apostilled and translated (where necessary)).
- Criminal record certificates from Mexico and Spain.
- Proof of integration into Spanish society (work contract, studies, community involvement, etc.).
- DELE and CCSE exam passing certificates.
Step 6: Submit Your Citizenship Application
You can apply in two ways:
- Online through the Spanish Ministry of Justice portal.
- In person at the Civil Registry in your place of residence in Spain.
After submission, the process can be approved within 1-2 years.
Step 7: Wait for Resolution
During the waiting period, the Ministry of Justice will review:
- Your residency history.
- Your criminal record.
- Your integration into Spanish society.
Be patient, as Spain’s bureaucracy can be slow.
FAQs
Are the Mexicans allowed to be citizens of Spain?
Yes, Mexicans are entitled to apply after 2 years of residence in Spain. Just 2 years as compared to 10 years for most foreigners.
When Mexicans become Spanish, do they lose their nationality?
No. Mexico and Spain allow dual citizenship.
What documents are required?
Passport of Mexico, residence card, birth certificate, criminal records, and CCSE exam certificate.
Is the Spanish language exam necessary for Mexicans?
No, the majority of them are exempted with DELE, but the CCSE exam is mandatory.
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Final Words
Acquiring Spanish citizenship is one of the easiest ways for Mexicans in Europe. You need two years of legal residence in Spain before making an application (as opposed to 10 years), and you are even allowed to maintain your Mexican nationality with the dual citizenship agreement. This renders the process quicker and more advantageous than for most other foreigners
