How long does the Spanish citizenship file take?

Real timelines in 2026

The legal maximum is one year from when the application is considered complete (Article 21.3 of Law 39/2015). In practice, current averages are:

• Online filing (with authorised representative or digital certificate): 6 to 10 months.
• Paper filing (physical registry or consulate): 12 to 24 months, sometimes longer.
• Priority cases (Sephardim, files involving minors): usually faster.

Times vary with caseload and your autonomous community. Madrid, Catalonia and Valencia tend to be slower because of higher demand.

How to check your file status

Two official ways to track your application:

• Ministry of Justice e-portal (sede.mjusticia.gob.es): you enter your NIE and the file number you got when filing.
• Citizen Folder (carpetaciudadana.gob.es) if you have Cl@ve, digital certificate or DNIe: shows all your files with the Administration.

Common statuses: «Under study», «Pending oath» (good sign!), «Resolved favourably» or «Resolved unfavourably».

What happens after «Resolved favourably»

If your file is resolved favourably, there are still steps left:

• You'll get a notification with the citizenship grant.
• You have 180 days to take the oath or promise at the Civil Registry. It's a brief act swearing loyalty to the King and obedience to the Constitution.
• After the oath you're registered as a Spanish citizen and can apply for the DNI.

If you let the 180 days lapse without taking the oath, the grant expires and you'd have to start the file again.

If a year passes without a response

If the legal one-year period passes without a resolution, the negative administrative silence rule applies: the application is considered denied. You have several options:

• Reposition appeal before the Ministry of Justice (1 month from the silence).
• Contentious-administrative appeal before the National Court (2 months): the route immigration lawyers usually recommend because it speeds resolution.
• Wait and follow up in writing: many files end up resolving favourably even past the year.

If your situation is urgent (visa about to expire, foreign travel), check with an immigration lawyer before acting.

How to speed up your file

There are no legal shortcuts but there are good practices that reduce delays:

• Use the online route whenever possible. It's the fastest.
• Submit all documents correctly the first time. Any request for more docs adds months.
• If they ask for extra documentation, respond as soon as possible (you have 10 days).
• Keep your address up to date in the padrón: notifications are sent there.