Senior lawyer
Lawyer practicing international migration. Specializes in issues of migration law - paperwork on the territory of Ukraine and the countries of the European Union (Romania, Hungary, Spain, Czech Republic).
OBTAIN SPANISH CITIZENSHIP
Dreaming of life in a European country with a high level of social protection, a stable economy, and a comfortable climate?
Obtaining Spanish citizenship is a reliable step towards a secure future for you and your family.
A Spanish passport opens the door to all 27 European Union countries, grants the right to free employment, business operation, visa-free travel to over 190 countries worldwide (including the USA and Canada), and access to advanced European medicine.
For many Ukrainians, obtaining Spanish citizenship becomes the logical conclusion to the integration process after receiving a residence permit (VNZh) or temporary protection status.
However, Spanish migration legislation is one of the strictest and most bureaucratic in the EU. Submitting documents independently often leads to refusals or delays of the process for years.
Main grounds: how to obtain Spanish citizenship
There are several legal grounds for legally obtaining a Spanish passport.
Depending on your life situation, terms and requirements may vary significantly:
- By right of residence (naturalization). This is the most common way. The standard term of legal and continuous residence (with a residence permit—VNZh or PMP) is 10 years. It is important to understand that a student visa (estancia) is usually not fully counted, and years spent as an illegal resident are not counted at all.
- Marriage to a Spanish citizen. If you have formally married a Spaniard, the right to apply for Spanish citizenship for Ukrainians arises in a record short time—after just 1 year of joint legal residence in the country.
- By origin. Children born in Spain to foreigners (if at least one parent was born there), or persons whose parents are Spanish by origin, are entitled to a simplified procedure. Separate rules for descendants of Sephardic Jews also continue to apply.
- Investments (“Golden Visa”). Although EU investment legislation is undergoing changes, significant injections into the economy or real estate allow one to obtain a residence permit (VNZh), which subsequently grants the right to apply for a Spanish passport under general naturalization conditions.
Stages of obtaining Spanish citizenship: a step-by-step procedure
The legalization process requires thorough preparation and ideal knowledge of local regulations.
The service for obtaining citizenship usually includes the following steps:
- Collection and preparation of documents. This is the foundation of success. It is necessary to collect birth certificates, police clearance certificates (from Ukraine and Spain), proof of financial solvency, and a registration certificate (padrón). All Ukrainian documents must be apostilled and translated exclusively by a sworn translator (traductor jurado).
- Passing exams. Candidates must successfully pass two tests from the Cervantes Institute: DELE A2 (basic knowledge of the Spanish language) and CCSE (knowledge of the constitution, culture, and society). Only certain categories are exempt from the exams (e.g., those who completed secondary education in Spain).
- Submission of application (Expediente). All documents are submitted electronically through the telematic platform of the Ministry of Justice. Professional completion of the forms minimizes the risk of receiving additional requests.
- Waiting for a decision. By law, the authorities must review the case within 1 year. If there is no response, an immigration lawyer (in Spain) can initiate an appeal procedure through the National High Court (Audiencia Nacional) to expedite the process.
- Oath (Jura). After receiving a positive decision, you have 180 days to take an oath of allegiance to the King and the Constitution at the local Civil Registry (Registro Civil) or before a notary.
Spanish Citizenship for Ukrainians 2026: The Issue of Dual Citizenship
When ordering legalization services, clients often ask about retaining their Ukrainian passport. According to Spanish laws, Ukraine is not on the list of states with which a dual citizenship agreement is in force.
During the oath, you are formally obliged to sign a refusal of your previous citizenship. However, it is worth considering the norms of Ukrainian legislation regarding the procedure for losing citizenship.
Our experts provide detailed consultation on how to act correctly in the context of this legal conflict without violating the law.
Why should you entrust the process of obtaining a Spanish passport to experts?
Obtaining Spanish citizenship, the price of which is fully justified by saving your time and nerves, is a serious investment.
An error in a single certificate, an incorrect translation, or a violation of residence terms can cost you a refusal after several years of waiting.
By contacting the law firm “Prikhodko & Partners,” you receive impeccable support at every stage of your migration journey.
Our team thoroughly analyzes your case, develops a personalized legalization strategy, gathers strong documentary evidence, monitors the validity of certificates, and ensures interaction with Spanish government bodies right up to the moment you receive your DNI (internal ID card) and passport for travel abroad.
Do not risk your status. Submit an application on the website today, and our migration specialists will audit your situation, calculate the cost of services, and begin working on your successful case!
Calculate the cost of services
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Are you currently in Ukraine?
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Are you currently in Spain?
3 question
Do you have grounds for obtaining Spanish citizenship?
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Do you need a consultation urgently?
How long does the application for Spanish citizenship take to be reviewed?
The official regulated review period is 1 year from the date of submission. However, in practice, the Ministry of Justice often delays responses.
In such cases, our lawyers file a lawsuit (recurso contencioso) to force the authorities to issue a decision in the shortest possible time.
Can I apply for citizenship 1 year after obtaining a residence permit?
This right is granted exclusively if you are in a formal marriage with a Spanish citizen.
For other applicants from Ukraine, the standard term of continuous residence is 10 years (or less, if you are a refugee under the Geneva Convention—5 years).
Is it mandatory to pass language and culture exams?
Yes, for the absolute majority of adult foreigners, DELE A2 and CCSE certificates are mandatory.
Exceptions are made only for those who completed mandatory secondary school (ESO) in Spain, as well as for people with certain cognitive impairments (with medical reports).
Are years spent on a student visa (estancia) counted towards the required residence period for citizenship?
As a general rule, the time spent on a student visa (estancia por estudios) is not considered a full-fledged residence and is not counted towards the necessary 10 years.
The term begins to count from the moment of obtaining a residence and work permit (residencia).
What are the most common reasons for refusal of a Spanish passport?
The main reasons for refusal: having unexpunged criminal records or issues with the police (in Spain or the country of origin), long trips outside Spain that interrupt the status of “continuous residence,” using forged documents, or an insufficient degree of financial/social integration.
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