A Moroccan man married to a Spanish woman had his application for Spanish nationality rejected by the Ministry of Justice on November 12, 2025, on the grounds that he had spent too many days outside Spain and that his center of interests was not in the country. The man had applied for nationality on January 16, 2024.
The ministry calculated that he had made 98 round trips to Morocco, which they argued exceeded the legal limit of absences allowed for nationality applicants. However, the man's lawyers contested the count, arguing that the ministry had included days that should not have been counted, such as travel days and short stays.
A court in Spain reviewed the case and recounted the days, finding that the actual number of days spent abroad was below the legal threshold. The court ruled in favor of the man, restoring his right to Spanish nationality. The ruling emphasizes the importance of precise calculation in such administrative decisions.
This case highlights the strict residency requirements for nationality in Spain and the potential for errors in administrative calculations. It also underscores the legal recourse available to applicants who believe they have been unfairly denied.
