Spanish nationality for Ecuadorians: requirements and routes

Ecuador is one of the countries with the largest presence in Spain, and the Ecuadorian community is one of the most numerous and settled in the country. For many Ecuadorians, obtaining Spanish nationality is the natural step after years of residence, work and family life here. The good news is that, because Ecuador is an Ibero-American country, nationality is accessed in a much shorter period than the general one and without having to renounce Ecuadorian nationality. In this guide we explain the requirements, the timeframes, the documents and the common routes to achieve it.

The reduced period: only 2 years of residence

The general rule in Spain requires 10 years of legal and continuous residence to apply for nationality by residence. However, nationals of Ibero-American countries enjoy a much reduced period: Ecuadorians can apply for Spanish nationality after only 2 years of legal and continuous residence in Spain. This is, probably, the most important benefit for the Ecuadorian community and explains why so many people from Ecuador end up becoming naturalised.

That said, those 2 years must be of legal and continuous residence, which means that you must have had your residence authorisation valid throughout the period and have actually lived in Spain. You can find more general information in our guide on Spanish nationality by residence.

Dual nationality: you do not lose the Ecuadorian one

One of the greatest reassurances for Ecuadorian applicants is that they do not have to renounce their nationality of origin. Spain and Ecuador signed a dual nationality agreement in 1964, so that when acquiring Spanish nationality the Ecuadorian one is not lost. You will be able to keep your Ecuadorian passport, your rights in Ecuador and, at the same time, enjoy Spanish and European citizenship.

This is a relevant difference compared to nationals of countries without an agreement, who do have to formally declare the renunciation of their previous nationality when swearing the Spanish one.

The big difference: Ecuadorians DO need a Schengen visa

Here is the point that distinguishes Ecuador from other Ibero-American countries. While Colombians, Peruvians, Argentines or Venezuelans are exempt from a visa for short stays, Ecuadorians DO need a Schengen visa to enter Spain, even for short tourist or visit stays.

In practice, this means that you cannot simply arrive in Spain as a tourist without a visa and then look for a way to stay. To enter you will need the corresponding visa, and to reside you will have to obtain the residence authorisation appropriate to your situation. It is advisable to plan the entry well and choose from the start the residence route that fits your case, because the path towards nationality always begins with having a stable legal residence.

Requirements for nationality by residence

In addition to the 2-year period, Ecuadorians must meet these requirements:

• Legal and continuous residence for at least 2 years, with a valid residence authorisation.
• Passing the CCSE and DELE A2 exams, except for exemptions. The CCSE assesses constitutional and sociocultural knowledge of Spain. The DELE A2 certifies the level of Spanish; even if Spanish is your mother tongue, the regulations in principle require presenting this diploma unless you are exempt. We explain it in detail in our guide to the CCSE and DELE exam.
• Good civic conduct and having no relevant criminal record, both in Spain and in Ecuador.

The CCSE and DELE exams in detail

The CCSE is managed by the Instituto Cervantes and consists of questions about the Constitution, the Spanish institutions and aspects of culture and life in Spain. The DELE A2 is an official Spanish diploma. There are exemptions, for example for minors or for people with certain circumstances, so it is advisable to check whether any apply to you before enrolling and paying the fees.

Documents from Ecuador: mandatory apostille

For the application you will have to provide documentation issued in Ecuador, mainly:

• Ecuadorian criminal record certificate.
• Ecuadorian birth certificate.

Both documents must be apostilled. Ecuador is a party to the Hague Convention, so the apostille is the valid mechanism for your Ecuadorian documents to take effect in Spain, without the need for diplomatic legalisation. Make sure the certificates are within their validity period when you submit the application, since some expire and you would have to process them again.

Common residence routes for Ecuadorians

As the path to nationality goes first through residing legally, it is worth knowing the most frequent routes in the Ecuadorian community:

1. Arraigo: for those who have already spent time in Spain, arraigo social and its modalities allow regularising the situation and starting to add up legal residence.
2. Residence and work: authorisations as an employee or self-employed, very common among those who have a job offer or a project in Spain.
3. Family reunification: to be reunited with family members who already reside legally in Spain. You can consult our guide to family reunification.

Choosing the entry and residence route well is key, because on it will depend when your 2-year period begins to count.

How to apply and how long it takes

Nationality by residence is applied for electronically, submitting the documentation and justifying payment of the fee. Once granted, you will have to swear or promise nationality before the Registro Civil, the moment at which you formally become Spanish. As you keep Ecuadorian nationality thanks to the 1964 agreement, you do not have to renounce it in that act.

Resolution times vary depending on the Administration's workload. You can get an idea in our guide on how long Spanish nationality takes.

Frequently asked questions

How many years of residence do I need as an Ecuadorian?

Only 2 years of legal and continuous residence in Spain, instead of the 10 years of the general regime, because Ecuador is an Ibero-American country.

Do I have to renounce my Ecuadorian nationality?

No. Thanks to the dual nationality agreement between Spain and Ecuador of 1964, you keep your Ecuadorian nationality when acquiring the Spanish one.

Do Ecuadorians need a visa to enter Spain?

Yes. Unlike other Ibero-American countries, Ecuadorians need a Schengen visa to enter Spain, even for short stays. To reside you also have to obtain the corresponding residence authorisation.

Do I have to take the DELE if Spanish is my mother tongue?

The regulations in principle require presenting the DELE A2 diploma, unless an exemption applies to you. Check your case before enrolling, because there are circumstances that exempt from this exam.

Which Ecuadorian documents do I need and how do I legalise them?

Mainly the criminal record certificate and the birth certificate, both apostilled. As Ecuador is a party to the Hague Convention, the apostille is enough for them to be valid in Spain.

Notice: this guide is of a guiding nature and immigration and nationality regulations may change. Always confirm the current requirements and timeframes with official sources or with a professional before starting your procedure.