Spanish Government Revokes Citizenship: Moroccan Man’s Integration Test Failure Sparks Nationality Debate

While the Directorate General for Legal Security and Public Faith (DGSJFP) granted Spanish nationality to this Moroccan on January 29, 2023, the Council of Ministers decided, at its meeting on April 16, 2024, to revoke it, considering that the initial decision was contrary to the law. Pablo Jesús failed the Spanish language proficiency tests (DELE) and the legal and sociocultural knowledge of Spain (CCSE) required to obtain nationality. For the Spanish government, since the applicant did not meet this essential condition, he should not have been granted nationality, reports La Razon.

Pablo Jesús filed his application for nationality on December 27, 2021, accompanied by a request for an exemption from taking these tests because he is illiterate. But according to the current regulations, the request for an exemption had to be validated before the procedure for acquiring Spanish nationality was initiated, except in cases such as schooling in Spain or possession of the OSE. "The application for Spanish nationality by residence cannot be initiated until the request for an exemption has been resolved, expressly or presumed," the JUS/1018/2022 order states.

For these reasons related to insufficient integration in Spain, the Audiencia Nacional decided to annul the decision granting Spanish nationality to the Moroccan. To obtain Spanish nationality by residence, one must have legally resided in the country for a period of ten years, have no criminal record or debts. An identity document, a birth certificate, and other documents are also required.