Applying for Spanish nationality is a significant step, and understanding the process, especially how to monitor your application (“Servir Tu Expediente”), is crucial. This guide explains how to check the status of your application and what to expect regarding processing times.
It’s important to remember that you can only file a complaint about your application after one year has passed since it was submitted to the Directorate General for Legal Security and Public Faith.
While the Spanish Ministry of Justice has processed a substantial number of nationality applications between 2019 and 2024 (over a million), the high demand means there’s still a backlog. Many applications are currently in the 1 to 3-year processing timeframe. Delays beyond this period are less common.
To stay informed about your application, the Ministry of Presidency, Justice and Relations with the Courts provides an online portal where you can check the status of your file. You can access this service through their website: https://sede.mjusticia.gob.es/eConsultas/inicioNacionalidad.
In line with the principle of active transparency outlined in Law 19/2013, of December 9th, on Transparency, Access to Public Information and Good Governance, the General Sub-Directorate of Nationality and Civil Status publishes quarterly data on nationality applications. This data, which is not statistically processed and comes from various sources and management applications, covers applications for nationality by residence, Law 12/2015 (Sephardic), and letters of naturalization (Article 21 of the Civil Code). You can find this information at the following link: https://www.mjusticia.gob.es/es/ciudadania/nacionalidad/estadisticas-datos-basicos .
Article 17.3 of Organic Law 3/1981, of April 6th, of the Spanish Ombudsman, states that complaints may be rejected if their processing would harm the legitimate rights of a third party. It’s important to understand that the Ombudsman’s office does not prioritize recently submitted applications over older ones of the same nature. Their role is to investigate potential maladministration, not to expedite individual cases out of order.
Key Takeaways:
- Check your application status online: Use the Ministry of Justice’s online portal for updates.
- Understand processing times: Be aware that processing can take 1 to 3 years due to high demand.
- Complaint timeframe: You must wait one year after submitting your application before you can file a complaint.
- Ombudsman’s role: The Ombudsman investigates administrative issues but does not expedite individual applications or prioritize cases based on submission date.
By utilizing the online resources and understanding the typical processing times, you can effectively monitor your Spanish nationality application and manage your expectations throughout the process.
