From first visa to long-term residence — and eventually citizenship
10 articlesUnderstanding Spain's residency pathways is essential for anyone planning a long-term move. After five years of continuous legal residence, you can apply for permanent residency. After ten years (with exceptions), Spanish citizenship becomes an option.
Our specialists guide you through the right visa from start to finish — managed entirely online, in English.
You generally need five years of continuous legal residence in Spain.
Most foreigners need ten years of legal residence. The period is reduced for certain nationalities and circumstances.
There is no language requirement for permanent residency. For naturalisation (citizenship), you will need to pass a DELE A2 exam and a civics test (CCSE).
