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. - Un viaje a Egipto
Choose the correct form of the demonstrative adjective given in the hint. Remember to look for gender and number clues in the rest of the phrase to make sure you get the agreement right.
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").
- El fontanero y las goteras
Fill in the blanks with the right word from Plumbing vocabulary in Spanish. Pay attention to the hints!
- A business meeting
Noelia tells us about her business meeting.
Famous People
- Ainhoa Arteta: a Spanish soprano
Learn about Ainhoa Arteta, a famous Spanish soprano. - A cup of water and a rose
Fabilola is contemplating a stunning masterpiece by Zurbarán. - Javier Bardem y Penélope Cruz
Learn a bit about these two famous Spanish actors. Choose the right verb from the options given: saber or conocer
Film & TV
- Maxi Iglesias
Fill in the blanks with the right form of El Pretérito Indefinido. Pay attention to the hints!
- A horror film
Marta watched a terrifying film yesterday. - ¿Te gusta la televisión?
This reading and listening exercise can help you practise El Pretérito Perfecto, El Pretérito Indefinido and the gender of nouns ending in -ión.
Food & Drink
- Baby squid in its ink
Sergio tells us how to cook one of his favourite dishes. - La receta del gazpacho de Sonia
Choose the correct passive form from the hint.
- A Christmas cocktail
Celebrate the season in style with our special cocktail.
Monuments, Tourism & Vacations
- Los Patios de Córdoba
Conjugate stem-changing verbs in El Presente
- ¿Qué harías en Bilbao?
Learn about the delights of the Basque city of Bilbao while practising El Condicional. - A big surprise!
Adela tells us about an axciting surprise she got from her boyfriend.
Politics & History
- Mayo, el mes de las flores
Fill in the gaps with the correct conjugated form of the verb. You need to use the pronoun "se" with all verbs.
- Arabismos
This B2 reading and listening exercise can help you practise El Pretérito Perfecto, and El Pretérito Indefinido. - A purple tide
Learn about the purple tide in Spain.
Celebrations & Important Dates
- 2021: the Year of the Ox
Learn about the new Chinese year for 2021. - ¿Fin de Año con los padres o los suegros?
This reading and listening exercise can help you practise quién vs. quien, the different meanings of the verb "contar" and the neuter article "lo". - ¿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
- Una queja por ruido
Carlos asks his friend Merche for some advice about some noisy neighbors. Practise El Condicional Simple with this gapfill exercise. Pay attention to the instructions!
- Ciudadanía española: la experiencia de María Virginia
Listen to María Virginia's experience of applying for Spanish nationality and, in particular, the types of questions that came up in the General Culture exam. This A2 exercise can help you practise El Indefinido, El Imperfecto, and the use and position of the preposition de for descriptions. - Armed Forces
Learn about The Spanish Armed Forces
Language & Education
- En abril aguas mil
Fill in the gaps with the right form of El Presente.
- Refranes de febrero
Fill in the gaps with either the definite or the indefinite article.
- A gift voucher to learn Spanish
What's a better gift than a Kwiziq voucher!
Literature, Poetry, Theatre
- Almagro International Classical Theater Festival
Sol works for the Almagro International Classical Theater Festival, and will be on a radio show tomorrow to promote it. - 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
- Alaska y Dinarama - Mi novio es un zombi
The song "Mi novio es un zombi" was released in 1989 by new wave band Alaska y Dinarama. This B2 exercise can help you practise the Spanish Preterite, using hacer with the subjunctive/infinitive = to make [someone] do something and prepositions followed by infinitives. - A magic piano
Learn about Pablo Alborán and his excellent piano skills. - ¿Quién es Alejandro Sanz?
Write the correct form of each verb in El Presente.
Sports & Leisure
- San Fermín
Choose the right expression to complete the text about San Fermin.
- ¿Me apunto o no me apunto?
Choose between "saber" and "conocer" from the hint to fill in the gaps.
- A beach day
Last weekend, Emilio escaped to the coast, arriving at sunrise for a day of relaxation and adventure.
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.