Applying for Spanish Citizenship? Keep reading to learn about what your Spanish Citizenship Test and Interview will consist of and to get some helpful, practical tips to ace them!
Before diving in, you might want to take our Spanish proficiency level test to see where you stand.
Table of Contents
- How to get Spanish Citizenship
- Spanish Proficiency Test and Citizenship Interview
- How can Kwiziq Spanish help me prepare for my Spanish proficiency test and citizenship interview?
How to get Spanish Citizenship
Obtaining Spanish citizenship by residency requires living in the country legally (that is, in possession of a residency permit) for up to 10 years.
You will also need to pass a Spanish proficiency test as well as demonstrate your knowledge of Spanish history and culture.
For an overview of the requirements and procedures involved in applying for Spanish citizenship, check out our audio article La nacionalidad española por residencia. We created this feature to help you get the facts AND practise your Spanish at the same time!
For additional information about the conditions and requirements of obtaining Spanish citizenship, see the official sites for the Ministerio de Justicia and the Gobierno de España.
Spanish Proficiency Test and Citizenship Interview
In order to obtain Spanish citizenship, you need to prove your Spanish proficiency by either passing a test or meeting certain criteria (e.g., having a degree from a Spanish university). Understanding your proficiency level according to the CEFR framework can help you determine which test or diploma might be appropriate for you. If you're interested in understanding more about the different official tests and diplomas accepted by the Spanish Government, take a look at our Ultimate Guide to Spanish Tests and Diplomas.
The most daunting part of the citizenship process, however, may be the interview, during which you need to demonstrate your knowledge of Spanish history and culture. To learn this information, study the Manual para la preparación de la Prueba de Conocimientos Constitucionales y Socioculturales de España (CCSE).
Our friend María Virginia went through this process a few years ago and shared her experiences and thoughts for our bilingual Reader: Ciudadanía española: la experiencia de María Virginia.
Spanish citizenship: Language proficiency test
The Spanish language level test includes both listening and speaking sections, but there’s a chance you might be eligible to be exempted from it by obtaining an official diploma or certificate to prove you have reached at least B1 level in all four competencies: listening, reading, writing and speaking.
If you're interested in understanding more about the different official tests and diplomas accepted by the Spanish Government, take a look at our Ultimate Guide to Spanish Tests and Diplomas.
Spanish citizenship: Constitution and Culture test
This is the time to demonstrate your knowledge of Spanish government and culture. As mentioned above, you can take a look at the Manual CCSE to discover the information you'll need.
You are expected to know about things like key dates in Spanish history, Spanish values, important symbols and governmental organisation, among other topics.How can Kwiziq Spanish help me prepare for my Spanish proficiency test and citizenship interview?
The Spanish resources offered throughout Kwiziq Spanish will help you steadily improve your language skills. We also have a series of Spanish kwizzes based specifically on the content from the Manuel CCSE so that you can put your Spanish to the test while simultaneously learning this essential information.
In addition to the facts and figures from the Manuel CCSE, you'll also need to demonstrate knowledge of and an appreciation for Spanish culture. Kwiziq Spanish has a huge body of content related to everything from art to sports that you can use to learn more about the richness of Spanish history and culture.
Art & Design
- Desde mi balcón
instead of being a physical event, 2020's PhotoEspaña will be an online event. This reading and listening exercise can help you practise El Subjuntivo. - A big fan of Park Güell
Admire the unique Park Guell in Barcelona by Antoni Gaudí. - 12 self-portraits by Pablo Picasso
Learn about Pablo Picasso's self-portraits.
Employment
- Child care "Madre de día"
Berta tells us about her profession. - Carta para puesto de secretaria
Choose the right answer from the hint, consider carefully the position of the pronoun.
- A business meeting
Noelia tells us about her business meeting.
Famous People
- Alexia Putellas: icono del fútbol español femenino
Alexia Putellas is a Spanish football icon who continues to showcase her talent and leadership on the field. - A cup of water and a rose
Fabilola is contemplating a stunning masterpiece by Zurbarán. - Día del Idioma Español y Día Internacional del Libro
23 April book lovers is International Book Day and also United Nations Spanish Language Day
Film & TV
- Cines de verano al aire libre
Experience the magic of cinema outdoors! This reading and listening exercise can help you practise El Presente and El Futuro Próximo. - Maxi Iglesias
Fill in the blanks with the right form of El Pretérito Indefinido. Pay attention to the hints!
- La Guerra de las Galaxias
Fill in the blanks with the right conjugation for each verb.
Food & Drink
- ¿Sabías cuál es el origen del turrón?
Discover the traditional Spanish Christmas nougat called turrón. - Las Tapas
Choose either El Imperfecto or El Pretérito Indefinido to complete this story. Pay attention to the hints to use the right verb!
- La receta del guacamole
Turn the infinitive given in the hint into its imperative form for "tú". Be careful because there are regular and irregular verbs!
Monuments, Tourism & Vacations
- ¿Cuál es la capital de Bolivia?
Do you know which city is the capital of Bolivia? Not as simple a question as you might think! This exercise can help you practise la pasiva de estado, por mí que vs para mí que, using ni... ni... and subordinate causal clauses. - ¿Qué tipo de viajero eres?
This C1 exercise can help you practise pronominal verbs, relative pronouns and the general use of idiomatic expressions. - A big fan of Park Güell
Admire the unique Park Guell in Barcelona by Antoni Gaudí.
Politics & History
- El nombre de La Alhambra
Conjugate the verb in the hint in El Pretérito Imperfecto, for example: hablar = hablaba
- Arabismos
This B2 reading and listening exercise can help you practise El Pretérito Perfecto, and El Pretérito Indefinido. - 23-F: Coup d'Etat in Spain
This exercise is based on events that occurred on 23 February 1981, when Lieutenant-Colonel Tejero led 200 civil guards in a coup d'État against the recently-formed Spanish democracy.
Celebrations & Important Dates
- Day of the Dead
Nelson gives us some tips to decorate our house with style for the Day of the Dead celebration. - Adviento
Fill in the gaps with the right form of El Presente.
- ¿Y a ti qué te ha dejado Santa?
It's Christmas morning! Our gift to you is this reading and listening exercise that can help you practise El Pretérito Perfecto and El Imperfecto Progresivo.
Immigration & Citizenship
- Emigration
Roman tells us why he is emigrating and where to. - An experience in the Turkish bath
My holistic experience in a wonderful Turkish bath. - El certificado de empadronamiento
The Spanish "certificado de empadronamiento" is one of the first bureaucratic steps someone from abroad needs to get sorted when settling in Spain.
Language & Education
- ¡Somos la leche!
What if your best friend was also your sibling? This C1 exercise can help you practise idioms related to food. - A very interactive lesson with Kwiziq
Clara is using kwiziq for the first time and tells us about a lesson she is taking. - Refranes de febrero
Fill in the gaps with either the definite or the indefinite article.
Literature, Poetry, Theatre
- Carlos Ruiz Zafón
On Friday 19th June 2020, the Spanish writer Carlos Ruiz Zafón, best known for the novel La Sombra del Viento, passed away. We pay homage with this bilingual reader. - Juan Ramón Jiménez
Fill in the gaps with the right form of El Pretérito Indefinido. Pay attention to the hints!
- Consultorio de libros
There’s a website, Te receto un libro, where you can consult an expert who “prescribes” the book that suits you best. This reading and listening exercise can help you practise El Presente and El Futuro Próximo.
Music
- A rock 'n' roll grandmother
Sandra tells us about her unconventional grandmother, Carmen. - J Balvin, el príncipe del reguetón
Fill in the gaps with the right form of the Spanish preterite (El Pretérito Indefinido)
- ¿Quién es Alejandro Sanz?
Write the correct form of each verb in El Presente.
Sports & Leisure
- A day at the zoo
Palmira is excited about her upcoming visit to Cali zoo. - A beach day
Last weekend, Emilio escaped to the coast, arriving at sunrise for a day of relaxation and adventure. - Recomendaciones para El Camino de Santiago
Test yourself on stem-changing verbs in the subjunctive: for example coger/coja.
Create your free Kwiziq Spanish account here to get your Spanish level and start practising your reading and listening skills while learning about all the topics you’ll need for your Spanish citizenship test and interview.