Spanish nationality for Colombians: requirements and routes

If you are Colombian and live in Spain, obtaining Spanish nationality for Colombians is a much shorter process than many people think. As Colombia is an Ibero-American country, its nationals enjoy a reduced residence period and, moreover, they do not have to renounce their nationality of origin thanks to the dual nationality agreement. In this guide we explain, step by step, which requirements you must meet, which documents you need from Colombia and which residence routes Colombians usually follow before reaching nationality.

The reduced 2-year period for Colombians

The great advantage for Colombians is time. The general rule requires ten years of legal residence in Spain to apply for Spanish nationality by residence, but Colombia is an Ibero-American country and, for this reason, its nationals can submit the application after only 2 years of legal and continuous residence in Spain. It is the same privileged period recognised for the rest of the Ibero-American countries.

That period begins to count from the moment you hold a valid residence authorisation and must be continuous: prolonged absences from Spanish territory may interrupt the count, so it is advisable to plan your trips carefully during those two years.

Dual nationality: you do not lose the Colombian one

Another decisive advantage is that you will not have to choose between one passport and the other. Between Spain and Colombia there is a dual nationality agreement signed in 1979, so that Colombians do not lose their Colombian nationality when acquiring the Spanish one. You will be able to keep both fully, with all the rights that each one entails. This agreement is one of the reasons why the nationality route is so attractive for the Colombian community in Spain.

Entry and residence: visa and authorisation

It is important not to confuse two different things: entering Spain temporarily and residing in it. Since 2015, Colombians are exempt from the Schengen visa for short stays of up to 90 days, for tourism or family visits. However, that exemption does not authorise living or working: to reside on a stable basis you must obtain a residence authorisation, which is precisely the one that later allows the two years to be counted towards nationality.

Nationality requirements

For your application to succeed, you will have to prove the following requirements:

• 2 years of legal and continuous residence in Spain with a valid authorisation.
• Pass the two official exams: the CCSE (constitutional and sociocultural knowledge of Spain) and the DELE A2 in Spanish language, except for the exemptions provided for. You can find more information in our guide to the CCSE and DELE exam.
• Good civic conduct and no criminal record, both in Spain and in Colombia.

Who is exempt from the DELE?

Nationals of countries where Spanish is an official language, such as Colombia, are usually exempt from the DELE A2 exam, since command of the language is presumed. On the other hand, the CCSE exam is generally required. Even so, it is advisable to confirm your specific situation before enrolling for the tests.

Documents you need from Colombia

Part of the documentation for the application must come from Colombia and arrive duly legalised. As Colombia is a party to the Hague Convention, consular legalisation is not needed, but rather the apostille. The most common Colombian documents are:

• The criminal record certificate from the Policía Nacional of Colombia, apostilled.
• The Colombian birth certificate, also apostilled.

It is advisable to request and apostille these documents in advance, because they have a limited validity over time and sometimes it is advisable to renew them if the application is delayed.

Common residence routes for Colombians

Before you can apply for nationality you need to have legally resided for two years, and for that you must first have a residence authorisation. The most frequent routes among Colombians are:

1. Arraigo social (social rootedness) and other arraigo modalities, designed for those who have already spent some time in Spain.
2. Residence and work, as an employee or self-employed.
3. Digital nomad residence, for professionals who work remotely.
4. Family reunification, when a family member already resides legally in Spain.

Any of these routes serves to start adding up the two years of legal residence that nationality requires.

How to apply and how long it takes

Nationality by residence is processed electronically, submitting the documentation in digital format. Once the application is granted, the last step is to go to the Registro Civil to swear or promise loyalty to the King and obedience to the Constitution; with that act the process concludes and the new nationality is registered.

Resolution times vary greatly depending on the Administration's workload. If you want to get a realistic idea of the timeframes, check our guide on how long Spanish nationality takes.

Frequently asked questions

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

Only 2 years of legal and continuous residence in Spain, instead of the ten years of the general regime, because Colombia is an Ibero-American country.

Do I have to renounce my Colombian nationality?

No. Thanks to the dual nationality agreement between Spain and Colombia of 1979, you can keep your Colombian nationality and acquire the Spanish one at the same time.

Do Colombians need to take the DELE exam?

Generally not, since Spanish is an official language in Colombia and command of it is presumed. However, you will have to pass the CCSE exam, except for the exemptions provided for.

Which documents from Colombia do I have to apostille?

Essentially the criminal record certificate from the Policía Nacional and the birth certificate, both with the Hague apostille, since Colombia is a party to that convention.

Do I need a visa to enter Spain as a Colombian?

For short stays of up to 90 days no, since 2015 you are exempt from the Schengen visa; but to reside you do need to obtain a residence authorisation.

Requirements and timeframes may change over time, so we recommend you always confirm the information with official sources or with an immigration professional before starting your procedure.