A total of 150,944 foreign residents acquired Spanish nationality in 2016, that is, 32.0% more than in the previous year. The most frequent nationalities of origin were Morocco (37,009), Bolivia (15,802) and Ecuador (15,255). This report was published by Spanish statistics office
The mode of Acquisition of Spanish nationality, 78.2% (117,994 cases) were by residence. 21.7% (32,806 cases) were by option.
The most frequent nationality of origin among persons who acquired Spanish nationality in 2016 was that of Morocco, with 37,009 cases. This was followed by nationalities from South American, Central American and Caribbean countries (nine of the ten most frequent corresponded to countries in these regions). On the other hand, Pakistan stood out among the Asian countries (3,148 people).
- Nationality by residence: requires the residence of the person in Spain for 10 years legally, continuously and immediately prior to the request. This is known as naturalisation process
- Nationality by option: is a benefit that the legislation offers to foreigners who are in certain conditions to acquire Spanish nationality. Persons who are or have been subject to the parental authority of a Spaniard, or persons whose father or mother was Spanish and was born in Spain, shall have the right to acquire Spanish nationality by this means.
Cataluña (with 33,857 cases) and Comunidad de Madrid (with 28,559 cases) accounted for 41.4% of acquisitions of Spanish nationality in 2016.
People between 30 and 39 years old constituted the largest group in terms of acquisition of Spanish nationality.
