In a recent ruling by Spain's Audiencia Nacional, a Moroccan man successfully regained his right to Spanish nationality after a thorough examination of his residency status. Initially, the Spanish authorities had denied his application for citizenship, citing that his frequent travels between Ceuta and Morocco indicated insufficient residency in Spain. The Justice Ministry's decision, delivered on November 12, 2025, emphasized that the applicant spent too much time outside Spain, suggesting that his primary interests were not firmly established within the country.
The pivotal period under scrutiny was from February 10 to July 31, 2023. However, records from the Tarajal border crossing revealed a different narrative regarding his travel patterns. In total, the Audiencia Nacional's decision, dated May 18, 2026, noted that the Moroccan national made 98 entries and exits during the 171 days analyzed. Notably, many of these movements were either conducted on the same day or separated by mere days.
98 Days in Spain, 73 Days in Morocco
The court's calculations were decisive, indicating that the Moroccan had spent 98 nights in Spain compared to 73 nights in Morocco, with his longest absence from Spain being only 24 days. He had attributed some of his travel to family obligations in Morocco, particularly concerning his parents living near Ceuta. Furthermore, his personal circumstances bolstered his case: he resides in Ceuta with his Spanish wife and their four children, all born in the city between 2016 and 2022. Additionally, he had several years of contributions to the Social Security system and successfully passed language proficiency tests (DELE and CCSE).
Ultimately, the Audiencia Nacional found that his numerous border crossings did not constitute a break in residency in Spain. The court annulled the earlier refusal and granted the Moroccan man the right to obtain Spanish nationality. Furthermore, the administration was ordered to pay 1,000 euros in procedural costs.
As reported by bladi.net.
