Good to know · Residency
Take the CCSE exam (constitutional and sociocultural knowledge)
The CCSE is the Instituto Cervantes test of knowledge of the Spanish Constitution, culture, history and society that the nationality-by-residence procedure requires unless an exemption applies.
- Why it matters
- Applicants for nationality by residence show integration partly through this test, so the certificate has to be in hand, or the applicant must authorize the Ministry to check Cervantes records, when the application is filed.
- When
- You plan to apply for nationality by residence.
- How long it takes
- The Orden JUS/1625/2016 (art. 10) is read as saying a CCSE certificate is valid for four years from its date; confirm on the current text.
- Official page
- Real Decreto 1004/2015: procedimiento para la adquisición de la nacionalidad española por residencia
- Last checked
- 23 Oct 2026
In the guide: the 5 steps, what to bring (4 items), and 3 Easy to miss lines, with every official source.
One Easy to miss, on us
A request for exemption from the Instituto Cervantes tests must be made before the nationality application is filed (Orden JUS/1625/2016, art. 10).