Spanish nationality for Brazilians: requirements and routes

If you are Brazilian and live in Spain, you are in a particularly favourable position to obtain Spanish nationality. As Brazil is an Ibero-American country, the law lets you apply after a very short period of residence, and in practice you can keep your Brazilian nationality. In this guide we explain, step by step, how much time you need, which exams and documents you will be asked for, how the question of dual nationality works and which residence routes lead you to the goal. Remember that the main route is Spanish nationality by residence.

The term: just 2 years of residence

Brazil is an Ibero-American country. This has a very important consequence: Brazilians can apply for Spanish nationality by residence after just 2 years of legal and continuous residence, instead of the 10 years generally required of most foreigners. It is one of the greatest advantages enjoyed by nationals of Ibero-America.

The key requirement is that those two years be legal and continuous residence. In other words, you must have held a valid residence authorisation uninterruptedly. Bear in mind a detail that surprises many people: stay for study purposes does not count towards that 2-year term. The time you spend in Spain on a student stay authorisation does not add up for nationality purposes, even though it is perfectly legal.

Dual nationality: what the law says and what happens in practice

This is one of the most common questions among Brazilians. When you acquire Spanish nationality, Spanish law requires you to declare that you renounce your previous nationality. This frightens many people, but it is worth understanding properly how it works.

For Ibero-Americans, that renunciation is a mere formality before the Registro Civil: it is a declaration signed at the oath or pledge ceremony, but which is not effectively communicated to your country of origin. In practice, you keep your Brazilian nationality, since Brazil allows you to retain it. The result is that, in fact, you end up holding both nationalities and both passports, and can continue to exercise your rights as a Brazilian.

Entry and residence in Spain

Before you can apply for nationality, you must first reside legally. As for entry, Brazilians are exempt from the Schengen visa for short stays of up to 90 days, which makes it easy to travel to Spain for visits, tourism or initial arrangements.

However, that exemption is only for short stays. To reside in Spain you need to obtain a residence authorisation. It is not enough to enter as a tourist and stay: you have to process an authorisation that allows you to live here legally and that begins to count towards the two-year term.

Usual residence routes for Brazilians

There are several routes to obtain that first residence authorisation. The most common among Brazilians are:

• Digital nomad residence: designed for those who work remotely for companies or clients outside Spain. You can see the details in our guide to the digital nomad residence.
• Residence and work: when you have a job offer or are going to carry out a professional activity in Spain.
• Arraigo: for those who have already been in Spain for some time and meet certain ties requirements.
• Family reunification: for those who have relatives with legal residence in Spain who can reunite them.

Any of these routes lets you build up legal residence which, once the 2 years are completed, will open the door to the nationality application.

Nationality requirements

In addition to the 2 years of legal residence, to obtain Spanish nationality by residence you will have to prove:

1. Passing the CCSE and DELE A2 exams. The CCSE assesses constitutional and sociocultural knowledge of Spain. The DELE A2 certifies knowledge of the Spanish language. Here there is an important point for Brazilians: as Portuguese is not a Spanish language, the DELE is usually required and the exemption enjoyed by nationals of Spanish-speaking countries does not apply. You have all the information in our guide on the CCSE and DELE exam.
2. Good civic conduct, which is proven, among other documents, with criminal record certificates.

Documents you need from Brazil

Two of the key documents must be obtained in Brazil and brought to Spain duly prepared:

• Criminal record certificate issued by the Brazilian authorities.
• Birth certificate (certidão de nascimento).

Both documents must be apostilled. The good news is that Brazil is a party to the Hague Convention, so the Hague Apostille is enough for them to be valid in Spain, without the need for a more complex consular legalisation procedure. It is advisable to arrange the apostille in Brazil before starting the nationality file and to check its validity, since some documents have a limited validity.

Summary of the path for a Brazilian

Overall, the typical itinerary would be: enter Spain (without a visa for short stays), obtain a residence authorisation through one of the routes described, keep that legal and continuous residence for at least 2 years, prepare and pass the CCSE and DELE A2 exams, gather the apostilled documents from Brazil and, finally, submit the nationality application. Once granted, the oath ceremony is signed with the declaration of renunciation, which in practice does not affect your status as a Brazilian.

Frequently asked questions

How many years of residence does a Brazilian need for Spanish nationality?

Just 2 years of legal and continuous residence, instead of the general 10, because Brazil is an Ibero-American country.

Do I lose my Brazilian nationality when I become Spanish?

Spanish law requires you to declare the renunciation, but for Ibero-Americans it is a formality before the Registro Civil. In practice you keep your Brazilian nationality, which Brazil allows you to retain.

Do I have to take the DELE exam if my language is Portuguese?

Yes. As Portuguese is not a Spanish language, the DELE A2 is usually required, in addition to the CCSE exam, to prove knowledge of the language.

Does the time I study in Spain count towards the 2-year term?

No. Stay for study purposes does not count for the nationality term; only legal and continuous residence counts.

Which documents must I bring apostilled from Brazil?

The criminal record certificate and the birth certificate, both with the Hague Apostille, since Brazil is a party to the Convention.

Requirements and terms may change; always confirm the information with official sources or an immigration professional before starting your procedure.