Spanish citizenship offers one of the most compelling opportunities for Filipinos living in Spain: while most foreign nationals must wait 10 years, Filipinos qualify under a special historical provision that reduces the requirement to just 2 years of legal, continuous residence. Upon naturalization, you hold a Spanish passport — and with it, the right to live, work and travel freely across the European Union. The NBI Clearance, with a DFA apostille and certified Spanish translation, is a mandatory document in the application.
Spanish Nationality Law (Código Civil, Article 22.1) sets a general residency requirement of 10 years for naturalization by residence. However, Article 22.1 carves out a reduced period of 2 years for nationals of countries with a special historical relationship with Spain — specifically:
The Philippines is included because of its 333 years as a Spanish colony (1565–1898). Spain's legal system, language influence, surnames and Catholic Church foundation all trace to this period, and Spanish law explicitly recognizes this historical bond through the 2-year citizenship provision.
To qualify under the 2-year rule, the applicant must meet these conditions at the time of application:
| Document | Notes |
|---|---|
| Application form (modelo oficial) | Downloaded from DGJFP or Registro Civil |
| Philippine passport (current) | Legible copy + original for inspection |
| NIE / TIE (residence card) | Must show 2+ years of legal residence |
| Empadronamiento certificate | Current municipal registration certificate |
| PSA birth certificate | + DFA apostille + sworn Spanish translation |
| NBI Clearance | + DFA apostille + sworn Spanish translation (traductor jurado) |
| Spanish criminal record certificate | Certificado de Antecedentes Penales — from Ministerio de Justicia |
| DELE A2 certificate | Spanish language proficiency — Instituto Cervantes |
| CCSE certificate | Civics knowledge test — Instituto Cervantes |
| Application fee receipt | Current fee: approx. €10.60 (Tasa 790 Código 026) |
The NBI Clearance serves as the required Philippine criminal record certificate in the citizenship application. Spain is an Apostille Convention member, so the clearance must be apostilled by the DFA. However, Spain differs from most other EU countries in one important respect: it typically requires a certified Spanish translation of the NBI Clearance by a traductor jurado (sworn translator) accredited by the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
New or renewal from the Philippines. If you are in Spain, a procurement service handles this remotely.
The NBI Clearance is apostilled by the Philippine DFA. This authenticates it for use in all Hague Convention member countries, including Spain.
The apostilled NBI Clearance is translated into Spanish by a sworn translator accredited by Spain's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The translation must be certified (jurada) — a standard translation is not accepted. Translators can be found through the Spanish MAEUEC directory.
The NBI Clearance is valid for 1 year. Given Spanish citizenship processing times of 1–2+ years, you may need to renew the NBI Clearance and obtain a new apostille + translation during the waiting period if requested to submit updated documents.
Need your NBI Clearance with DFA apostille for a Spanish citizenship application?
Ask about NBI + apostille for Spain →Two tests are mandatory for naturalization by residence in Spain:
The Diploma de Español como Lengua Extranjera (DELE) A2 level, issued by Instituto Cervantes. A2 is elementary level — reading, writing, listening and speaking tasks of basic everyday communication. Most Filipinos who have lived and worked in Spain for 2+ years can reach A2 with a short period of focused study. Exams are held at Instituto Cervantes centers across Spain.
Instituto Cervantes — register at cervantes.esThe Conocimientos Constitucionales y Socioculturales de España (CCSE) covers Spanish constitution, law, history, geography, culture and society. The test is in Spanish and consists of multiple-choice questions. Study materials and a preparation course are available from Instituto Cervantes. The CCSE is separate from the DELE and requires its own registration.
Instituto Cervantes — register at cervantes.esExemptions: Applicants who are minors (under 18 at the time of application) or who have certain disabilities may be exempt from the language and civics tests. Confirm with the Registro Civil or your gestor.
Spanish citizenship by residence applications are submitted through the Dirección General de Seguridad Jurídica y Fe Pública (DGJFP) — either online via the Sede Electrónica (requires a digital certificate or Cl@ve) or in person at the Registro Civil in your province of residence.
Many applicants work with a gestor (licensed document processor) or immigration lawyer who prepares and submits the full application dossier. A gestor familiar with Filipino documents (PSA birth certificate, NBI Clearance) is particularly useful for ensuring translations and apostilles are formatted correctly.
Processing currently takes approximately 1–2+ years from submission. The DGJFP has significantly reduced backlogs compared to earlier years, but processing times vary by case complexity and current workload.
NBI Clearance renewal during processing: Because the NBI Clearance is valid for only 1 year and processing takes 1–2+ years, you will likely need to renew the clearance and obtain a fresh apostille + translation during the waiting period if the DGJFP requests updated criminal certificates. Plan for one renewal cycle.
This is one of the most common questions from Filipino applicants considering Spanish naturalization.
Under Philippine law (Commonwealth Act 63, Sec. 1), voluntarily acquiring citizenship of a foreign country is a ground for loss of Philippine citizenship. This means that, strictly speaking, naturalizing as Spanish may result in loss of Philippine citizenship.
However, there are important nuances:
Always consult the Philippine Embassy in Madrid or a Philippines immigration lawyer for advice specific to your situation before proceeding.
Once you acquire Spanish citizenship, you hold an EU passport and can live and work freely across all 27 EU member states. If you subsequently apply for long-term residence or citizenship in another EU country (Germany, Netherlands, France, etc.), those applications may require a police certificate from the Philippines for the years you lived there — and the NBI Clearance remains the accepted document even after you become a Spanish citizen. Keep this in mind if you plan to move across the EU after naturalization.
Spanish Nationality Law (Código Civil, Art. 22.1) grants a reduced 2-year residency track to nationals of Iberoamerican countries and the Philippines, because of the Philippines' 333-year colonial history as a Spanish territory (1565–1898). Most other foreign nationals must wait 10 years. The Philippines is explicitly listed alongside Latin American countries in the law's special historical provision.
You need: (1) NBI Clearance obtained from the NBI in the Philippines, (2) DFA apostille on the NBI Clearance, (3) certified Spanish translation by a sworn translator (traductor jurado) accredited by Spain's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. All three elements are required — the translated + apostilled NBI Clearance is submitted as a single document package.
Yes. The DELE A2 (A2 level Spanish proficiency certificate from Instituto Cervantes) is required, plus the CCSE (civics and constitutional knowledge test). Both are administered by Instituto Cervantes centers across Spain. Most Filipinos living in Spain for 2+ years reach A2 level through everyday communication; formal study preparation is recommended for the CCSE.
Under Philippine law, voluntary foreign naturalization is technically a ground for losing Philippine citizenship. However, the Re-acquisition Act (RA 9225) allows former Filipino citizens to reacquire Philippine citizenship after naturalizing abroad by taking an oath at a Philippine consulate. The practical path for many Filipinos is: naturalize as Spanish, then reacquire Philippine citizenship under RA 9225 — ending up with both passports. Consult the Philippine Embassy in Madrid for current guidance.
Yes. With a previous NBI record, the clearance can be renewed online and shipped to Spain with a DFA apostille. A procurement service handles the Philippines-side process. You then arrange the sworn Spanish translation from a traductor jurado in Spain (or accredited online).
The NBI Clearance is valid for 1 year from its issue date. Because Spanish citizenship processing takes 1–2+ years, you will likely need to renew the NBI Clearance — and obtain a new apostille and translation — during the waiting period if the DGJFP requests fresh criminal certificates. Budget for at least one renewal cycle.
Yes. The NBI Clearance documents your Philippine criminal record for the period you lived in the Philippines. Even as a Spanish citizen, if you subsequently apply for residence or citizenship in another EU country or elsewhere, you may be asked for a police certificate from each country where you lived for a qualifying period. The NBI Clearance — obtainable even after naturalization — satisfies that requirement for your years of Philippine residence.
Related pages