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 Christmas jumper
Marcos must wear a Christmas jumper (US: sweater) for a party, but he is not very excited about it. - 12 self-portraits by Pablo Picasso
Learn about Pablo Picasso's self-portraits.
Employment
- ¡Por fin soy socorrista!
Choose the right past tense from the hint to fill in the blanks: El Pretérito Imperfecto (e.g. "trabajaba"), El Pretérito Indefinido (e.g. "trabajé") or El Pretérito Perfecto Compuesto (e.g. "he trabajado").
- Carta para puesto de secretaria
Choose the right answer from the hint, consider carefully the position of the pronoun.
- 21st century shepherds
Rosa is changing her profession to became a shepherdess.
Famous People
- ¡HELLO!
Sandra cannot wait to know who this week's ¡HOLA! exclusive is about. - A cup of water and a rose
Fabilola is contemplating a stunning masterpiece by Zurbarán. - 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.
Film & TV
- La Guerra de las Galaxias
Fill in the blanks with the right conjugation for each verb.
- ¿Te gusta la televisión?
A2 Spanish interactive reading article - Maxi Iglesias
Fill in the blanks with the right form of El Pretérito Indefinido. Pay attention to the hints!
Food & Drink
- ¿De dónde vienen los deliciosos burritos?
Have you ever wondered who invented burritos? This C1 exercise can help you practise the imperfect vs the preterite, using the imperative of mirar/oír with specific meanings and repetition to give emphasis. - La receta del gazpacho de Sonia
Choose the correct passive form from the hint.
- ¡A comer!
Learn how to make a Spanish potato omelette: una tortilla de patata.
Monuments, Tourism & Vacations
- A big surprise!
Adela tells us about an axciting surprise she got from her boyfriend. - ¿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. - ¿Beach or mountain?
Olivia has find the perfect summer destination that means not choosing between the beach and going to the mountains.
Politics & History
- El nombre de La Alhambra
Conjugate the verb in the hint in El Pretérito Imperfecto, for example: hablar = hablaba
- A disappointing purchase
Sometimes we rush too much when faced with a bargain. - Fernando VI
Fill in the blanks with the right form of El Pretérito Indefinido (regular and irregular verbs). Pay attention to the hints!
Celebrations & Important Dates
- San Fermín
Choose the right expression to complete the text about San Fermin.
- ¿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. - Day of the Dead
Nelson gives us some tips to decorate our house with style for the Day of the Dead celebration.
Immigration & Citizenship
- An experience in the Turkish bath
My holistic experience in a wonderful Turkish bath. - Alquilo mi piso en Sevilla
Marcos is renting his apartment in Seville. Practise direct object pronouns: lo, la, los, las. Pay attention to the hints!
- Armed Forces
Learn about The Spanish Armed Forces
Language & Education
- A Spanish course in Bogota
Patrick tells us about his Spanish course in Colombia. - Una carta importante
Choose either por or para to complete the text.
- Refranes de febrero
Fill in the gaps with either the definite or the indefinite article.
Literature, Poetry, Theatre
- A lost diary
Lost diary panic! Here's how Greta found it again. - 40 books to read before 40
Tomas accepted the challenge of reading a selection of 40 books before turning 40. - Almudena Grandes
Find out more about her life and work of author Almudena Grandes with this B1 reading and listening exercise that can help you practise the pasiva refleja, El Pretérito indefinido and El Pretérito imperfecto.
Music
- A saeta
Jaime tells us about his experience in Seville during Easter celebrations. - A magic piano
Learn about Pablo Alborán and his excellent piano skills. - Ay mamá - Rigoberta Bandini
This reading and listening exercise can help you practise no sé vs no lo sé = I don't know, using the neuter article "lo" to refer to a clause, verb, adjective or adverb and using the infinitive after prepositions (not present participle).
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. - ¿Me apunto o no me apunto?
Choose between "saber" and "conocer" from the hint to fill in the gaps.
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.