Obtaining Spanish citizenship by residence is one of the most important steps for thousands of foreigners who have been living legally in Spain for years. However, many people are not aware that this process is not completely free. Since the reform of the procedure, applying for nationality involves paying an administrative fee to the Ministry of Justice and covering the cost of the mandatory exams, such as the CCSE and, in many cases, the DELE A2 Spanish language test.

Knowing these costs before starting the application is essential to avoid delays, mistakes or unexpected expenses. In this updated 2025 guide, at Visal Immigration Lawyers we explain clearly how much it really costs to apply for Spanish nationality by residence, which fees you must pay, how to pay them, the price of the exams and which official documents may involve additional costs.

Why is it important to know the cost of Spanish nationality before applying?

Many foreigners believe that, after years of legal residence in Spain, obtaining nationality is simply a matter of gathering documents and submitting them to the Ministry of Justice. However, since the implementation of the new electronic procedure in 2015, applying for Spanish nationality by residence is no longer free. There are now three essential and unavoidable official costs:

• The administrative fee charged by the Ministry of Justice (Form 790, Code 026).

• The CCSE exam (Spanish Constitutional and Sociocultural Knowledge Test) by the Instituto Cervantes.

• The DELE A2 Spanish language exam, required for applicants who are not nationals of a Spanish-speaking country.

In addition to these, some applicants may also need to pay for official documents such as birth certificates or criminal record certificates from their country of origin, although in this article we will focus only on the mandatory fees established by the Spanish Government.

Understanding these costs in advance is essential to prepare properly, avoid mistakes and prevent your application from being rejected due to missing documents or unpaid fees.

If you want to submit your nationality application correctly from the very beginning, you can schedule your consultation with an expert lawyer here:
https://www.visalimmigration.com/reservar-cita

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Cost of the CCSE Exam: mandatory for almost all applicants

One of the main requirements to obtain Spanish nationality by residence is passing the CCSE exam, managed by the Instituto Cervantes. This test evaluates your basic knowledge of the Spanish Constitution, the structure of the State, culture, history, society and daily life in Spain.

• Official cost in 2025: €85

• Includes two attempts with a single payment. If you fail the first time, you can retake it once for free.

• Payment method: credit/debit card or PayPal via the official Instituto Cervantes website (ccse.cervantes.es)

• Validity: your registration is valid for one year from the payment date.

This exam is required for almost all applicants, except for minors, people with proven disabilities, or those who have completed primary or secondary education in Spain.

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If you want to submit your application correctly from the very beginning, you can schedule your consultation with an expert lawyer here:
https://www.visalimmigration.com/reservar-cita

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Cost of the DELE A2 Exam (for non-Spanish speakers)

If your country does not have Spanish as an official language, you must also pass the DELE A2 (Diploma of Spanish as a Foreign Language), which proves basic language proficiency.

• Price in Spain: between €130 and €160, depending on the city or test centre

• Price abroad: usually between 150 and 200 USD, depending on the country

• Registration: through the official website of the Instituto Cervantes (dele.cervantes.es)

• Validity: the DELE diploma never expires

You are exempt from this exam if you:

• Are a national of a Spanish-speaking country (e.g., Colombia, Peru, Mexico, Argentina…)

• Have formal studies completed in Spanish

• Have a recognised disability and are officially exempted

This is one of the most important expenses because without the DELE A2 diploma (if applicable), your nationality application cannot be processed.

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Ministry of Justice Fee for the Nationality Application

The third mandatory cost is the administrative fee charged by the Spanish Ministry of Justice for processing your application.

• Official amount in 2025: €104.05 (Form 790 – Code 026)

• How to pay:

  • Download Form 790 from the Ministry of Justice website

  • Pay at any Spanish bank

  • Or pay online using digital certificate, Cl@ve system or bank card

Without proof of payment, the application will not be accepted.

This fee applies to all residence-based nationality applications, regardless of age, income or nationality.

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Other possible official expenses

Although this article focuses on the mandatory Spanish fees, some applicants also need to pay for official documents in their country of origin, such as:

• Literal birth certificate

• Criminal record certificate

• Legalisation or Apostille of The Hague

• Official sworn translations if the document is not in Spanish

These are not Spanish government fees, but costs from foreign authorities, so they vary depending on the applicant’s country. For this reason, we do not include them in the official cost of the Spanish procedure.

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If you want to make sure your application is correct from the very beginning, you can schedule your consultation with an expert lawyer here:
https://www.visalimmigration.com/reservar-cita

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How much does it cost in total to apply for Spanish nationality by residence?

If we add only the official and mandatory payments in Spain, the minimum cost is:

These are the essential costs that any applicant must pay to legally start the process.

Can Spanish nationality be requested without paying these fees?

No. Since 2015, the nationality process is no longer free. Both the Ministry of Justice fee and the Instituto Cervantes exams are mandatory. If you don’t pay them, your application will not be accepted or will be archived.

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What happens if I pay the fee but don’t submit the application?

The nationality fee is non-refundable. If you pay but don’t continue with the process, the government will not return your money. That is why it is essential to ensure you meet the requirements before paying or to consult an immigration lawyer to verify your eligibility.

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Practical tips to avoid spending more than necessary on your nationality application

Although the official fees are not excessively high, many applicants waste money or time due to avoidable mistakes. At Visal Immigration Lawyers, we recommend:

• Take the exams before paying the nationality fee.
  If you fail the CCSE or DELE exam, you won’t be able to submit your application. It is better to pass the exams first and then pay the application fee.

• Avoid paying for unnecessary translations or apostilles.
  Only legalise and translate documents that are strictly required. Some official documents are already valid in Spanish or multilingual format and do not need translation.

• Keep all payment receipts.
  The proof of payment for the CCSE, DELE and Form 790 fees is mandatory. Losing them could force you to repay or request duplicates.

• Make sure your residence card is valid when you apply.
  If your residence permit is expired or you don’t meet the legal residence periods, you could lose your right to apply even if you have paid the fees.

• Submit your application complete the first time.
  Each error or missing document causes delays, and if too much time passes, exams or certificates may expire, forcing you to repeat and pay again.

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Frequent mistakes that lead to financial loss or delays

• Paying the fee before confirming that you meet the required years of legal residence.

• Submitting the application without passing the CCSE exam or without attaching the DELE diploma.

• Believing that paying the fee guarantees approval of nationality (it doesn't).

• Using expired, non-legalised or untranslated documents.

• Confusing continuous registration (empadronamiento) with valid legal residence.

These are very common errors and can be easily avoided with professional guidance.

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Is it worth hiring an immigration lawyer for this process?

While this article focuses only on official fees, many applicants choose to seek legal assistance to avoid delays, denials or incorrect submissions. When documents are incomplete, incorrectly apostilled or uploaded incorrectly to the online platform, the Ministry of Justice may delay the process for months or even years.

If you want peace of mind and to make sure your application is correct from the very beginning, you can schedule your consultation with an expert lawyer here:
https://www.visalimmigration.com/reservar-cita

You can also contact us via WhatsApp (text only): +34 618 702 253

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Frequently Asked Questions about the cost of Spanish nationality

1. How much does it cost in total to apply for Spanish nationality by residence?
The minimum cost is €189.05 if you don’t need the DELE exam, or approximately €339 if you are required to take it. Additional official costs may apply for birth certificates or criminal records depending on your country of origin.

2. Can I apply for nationality without taking the CCSE exam?
Only certain groups are exempt: minors under 18, people with legal incapacity, and individuals who completed primary or secondary education in Spain. Everyone else must take and pass the CCSE exam (€85).

3. Do I need the DELE A2 exam if I am from Latin America?
No. Nationals of Spanish-speaking countries are exempt from the DELE exam. They only need to pass the CCSE and pay the official application fee.

4. When do I have to pay the €104 fee — before or after submitting the application?
You must pay it before submitting the application. Without proof of payment of Form 790, the electronic platform will not allow you to complete the submission.

5. What happens if I fail the CCSE or DELE exam? Do I have to pay again?
The CCSE exam fee includes two attempts. In the case of the DELE exam, each registration only covers one attempt. If you fail, you must pay the fee again to retake it.

Do you want to submit your nationality application without mistakes or delays?

At Visal Immigration Lawyers, we help applicants every day who wish to obtain Spanish nationality by residence. We make sure your documentation is correct, we manage the payment of official fees, prepare your CCSE and DELE exams, and submit your application securely through the official electronic platform of the Ministry of Justice.

If you want to make sure everything is done correctly from the very beginning:

Book your consultation with an expert immigration lawyer here:
https://www.visalimmigration.com/en/consulting

Prefer WhatsApp? You can text us (messages only): +34 618 702 253

More information available on our website:
www.visalimmigration.com