The Spanish government has updated its official naturalisation guidance, confirming that nationals from 23 countries can qualify for citizenship after just two years of legal residency. This is a significant reduction from the standard 10-year requirement that applies to most foreign nationals. The information is drawn from an official guide on acquiring Spanish nationality, published by the Spanish government and last updated on 13 April 2026.
The shortened pathway applies to nationals from 20 Latin American countries, including Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela, and Equatorial Guinea. Additionally, nationals of Andorra, the Philippines, and Portugal are also included, as well as persons of Sephardic origin.
Spain recognises these nationalities based on historical, linguistic, or cultural ties, which forms the basis for the more accessible citizenship pathway offered to this group. The Spanish naturalisation process involves submitting an application directly for individuals aged 14 or above, while applicants under 18 may do so through a legal representative.
Once the relevant residency period is completed and the naturalisation process is finalised, the applicant is entered into the Spanish Civil Register. That registration serves as the gateway to official Spanish identity documents. Holding Spanish nationality also confers EU citizenship, granting the individual freedom of movement, the right to live and work across member states, and access to other protections under European law.
The standard residency requirement for most foreign nationals remains 10 years, though separate provisions exist for other categories, such as refugees, who may qualify after five years. The Spanish government has set out four recognised routes to naturalisation: by option, by discretionary conferral, by residency, and by possession of status.
The update to the naturalisation guidance was made in April 2026, and it provides a more streamlined process for nationals of certain countries to acquire Spanish citizenship. This move is expected to benefit thousands of individuals who have been living in Spain and are seeking to formalise their residency status.
Ghanaian citizens, however, are not among those eligible for the accelerated citizenship pathway, as they are not listed among the 23 countries whose nationals can qualify for citizenship after just two years of residency. The update to the naturalisation guidance is a significant development for individuals seeking to acquire Spanish citizenship, and it is expected to have a positive impact on the lives of many people.
Key points
- The Spanish government has updated its naturalisation guidance to allow citizens of 23 countries to apply for citizenship after just two years of residency.
- The accelerated citizenship pathway applies to nationals from 20 Latin American countries, as well as Andorra, the Philippines, Portugal, and persons of Sephardic origin.
- The standard residency requirement for most foreign nationals remains 10 years, though separate provisions exist for other categories, such as refugees.
