Article 22 of the Spanish Civil Code lets nationals of Ibero-American countries, including Argentina, apply for Spanish citizenship after two years of legal and continuous residence in Spain instead of ten. Spain and Argentina have a dual nationality agreement. How Spain will treat applicants who acquired Argentine nationality by investment has not yet been tested.
The rule
The general residence period for Spanish naturalisation is ten years. Article 22 reduces it to two years for nationals of Ibero-American countries, Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea and Portugal, and for people of Sephardic origin.
Main requirements
- Two years of legal, continuous residence immediately before applying
- Good conduct and a clean record
- Integration: the CCSE constitutional and socio-cultural exam
- Nationals of Spanish-speaking countries are exempt from the DELE language exam
How to get the residence
Argentine citizenship does not itself give the right to live in Spain. The two years must be completed under a Spanish residence permit, for example for work, entrepreneurship, non-lucrative residence or family reunification.
Dual nationality
Spain and Argentina have had a dual nationality agreement since 1969, so an Argentine who becomes Spanish need not give up Argentine nationality. A third nationality is treated under Spain's general rules, which require a formal declaration renouncing nationalities not covered by such agreements.
The open question
The law refers to nationals of Ibero-American countries without distinguishing how nationality was acquired. Citizenship by investment in Argentina is new, and Spanish practice for such applicants is untested. Treat this route as a potential benefit, not the reason to apply.
Frequently asked questions
Can Argentines get Spanish citizenship in two years?
Yes, after two years of legal and continuous residence in Spain under Article 22 of the Civil Code.
Does Argentine citizenship let me live in Spain?
No. A Spanish residence permit is needed to accumulate the two years.
Sources
- Spanish Civil Code, Arts. 22 and 24
- Spain–Argentina Dual Nationality Agreement (1969)
- Instituto Cervantes, CCSE exam