Spanish nationality for Peruvians: requirements and routes

If you are Peruvian and reside in Spain, you have an important advantage over most foreigners: you do not need the ten years of residence that are generally required, but only two years. Peru is an Ibero-American country, and that makes the difference in almost the entire process. In this guide we explain, step by step, the requirements for Spanish nationality by residence for Peruvians, the dual nationality agreement, the exams you will have to pass and the most common residence routes to get here.

The reduced period: only 2 years of residence

The great advantage for nationals of Peru is the period of two years of legal and continuous residence in Spain. The general law requires ten years to acquire nationality by residence, but it lowers that period to two years for nationals of Ibero-American countries, and Peru is among them.

Those two years are counted as legal residence (with a valid residence authorisation) and continuous (living stably in Spain) immediately prior to the application. It is not enough to have been on a visit or in an irregular situation: the time that counts is that of regular and effective residence.

Dual nationality agreement between Spain and Peru

One of the most frequent doubts is whether you have to renounce Peruvian nationality. The answer is reassuring: no. Spain and Peru signed a dual nationality agreement in 1959, so that Peruvians who acquire Spanish nationality do not lose the Peruvian one.

This means that you will be able to be Spanish and Peruvian at the same time, keeping your rights in both countries. It is a notable difference compared to nationals of countries without an agreement, who are required to formally declare the renunciation of their previous nationality.

Entry and residence in Spain

Since 2016, Peruvians are exempt from the Schengen visa for short stays of up to 90 days, which makes it easier to travel to Spain for tourism or specific matters. However, it is important not to confuse one thing with another: that exemption serves for short stays, not for living in Spain.

To reside and, later, be able to opt for nationality, you need to obtain a residence authorisation. In other words, the visa exemption allows you to enter as a visitor, but the path towards nationality begins with a legal residence that you must process separately.

Requirements for nationality by residence

In addition to the two-year period, Peruvians must meet the rest of the general requirements for nationality by residence:

• Legal, continuous and immediately prior residence to the application for those two years.
• Passing the two exams of the Instituto Cervantes (except for exemptions): the CCSE (Constitutional and Sociocultural Knowledge of Spain) and the DELE A2 in Spanish. You can consult the details in our guide to the CCSE and DELE exam.
• Proving good civic conduct and having no criminal record.

The CCSE and DELE exams

The CCSE assesses your knowledge of the Constitution, the institutions and Spanish social and cultural reality. The DELE A2 certifies a basic level of Spanish. Since Spanish is your mother tongue, many Peruvians are exempt from the DELE, although they do have to take the CCSE. It is advisable to confirm your specific case, because exemptions depend on your situation.

Documents from Peru: the importance of the apostille

To process nationality you will have to provide documents issued in Peru, mainly:

• The criminal and police record certificate.
• The birth certificate.

Both must be apostilled. Peru is a party to the Hague Convention, so the legalisation of these documents is done by means of the Hague Apostille, a simpler procedure than traditional diplomatic legalisation. Make sure the documents are valid and correctly apostilled before submitting them, because a formal defect can delay the whole application.

Common residence routes for Peruvians

Before you can apply for nationality, you need to have legally resided for two years. These are the most frequent routes by which Peruvians obtain and maintain their residence in Spain:

• Arraigo, when you have already spent some time in Spain. It is one of the most used routes; check the requirements for arraigo social.
• Residence and work, as an employee or self-employed.
• Family reunification, for those who have family members already residing in Spain.

Any of these routes, once consolidated legally over two years, puts you in a position to take the step to nationality.

Continuous residence and the counting of absences

This is one of the points that causes the most problems, so it deserves attention. The residence required for nationality must be legal and continuous. Prolonged absences from Spain may interrupt the count of that period and cause you to lose the continuity that was so hard to accumulate.

For this reason, if you travel frequently to Peru or spend long periods away, it is advisable to keep track of the days so as not to compromise your application. You can go deeper into how it works in our guide on the counting of absences, where we explain how many days you can be away without breaking the continuity.

How to apply and how it is granted

Once the requirements and documentation are gathered, nationality by residence is usually applied for electronically. After processing and a favourable resolution, the last step is to swear or promise loyalty to the King and obedience to the Constitution before the Registro Civil, the moment at which your Spanish status is formalised.

Frequently asked questions

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

Only two years of legal and continuous residence, because Peru is an Ibero-American country, instead of the ten years that are generally required.

Do I have to renounce my Peruvian nationality?

No. Thanks to the dual nationality agreement between Spain and Peru of 1959, you do not lose Peruvian nationality when acquiring the Spanish one, so you will be able to keep both.

Which exams do I have to pass?

The CCSE (constitutional and sociocultural knowledge) and the DELE A2 in Spanish, except for exemptions. Since Spanish is your mother tongue, it is common to be exempt from the DELE, although the CCSE is usually mandatory.

Which documents from Peru do I need and do they have to be apostilled?

Mainly the criminal and police record certificate and the birth certificate, both apostilled. Peru is part of the Hague Convention, so they are legalised by means of the Hague Apostille.

Do my trips to Peru affect the counting of residence?

They may affect it. Residence must be continuous, and prolonged absences may interrupt the count. It is advisable to control the days outside Spain so as not to lose the required continuity.

This guide is informative in nature and does not replace professional advice. Always confirm the requirements, timeframes and exemptions applicable to your case with official sources or consult an immigration professional before starting your procedures.