His 98 trips back and forth to Morocco cost him his nationality… until the courts recounted the days
Spain considered that his numerous crossings between Ceuta and Morocco proved that his residence was not sufficiently continuous. The Audiencia Nacional reviewed the Moroccan man’s trips one by one: his longest absence from Spain had lasted only 24 days.
Married to a Spanish woman, the Moroccan man applied for nationality on January 16, 2024. The Ministry of Justice rejected his application on November 12, 2025, considering in particular that he had spent too much time outside Spain and that the center of his interests was not sufficiently established there.
On Bladi.net : Moroccan Father’s 20-Year Dream Shattered: Nationality Revoked Over Language Test
The administration relied particularly on the period from February 10 to July 31, 2023. But the data recorded at the Tarajal border crossing painted a completely different picture of his movements.
98 nights in Spain, 73 in Morocco
In its decision of May 18, 2026, the Audiencia Nacional noted 98 entries and exits during the 171 days under review. Many crossings took place on the same day or were separated by only a few days.
The judges’ calculation was decisive: the Moroccan man spent 98 nights in Spain compared with 73 in Morocco. His longest continuous absence was only 24 days. He had explained some of his trips by the presence of his parents in Morocco, near Ceuta.
The rest of his situation also strengthened his case: he lives in Ceuta with his Spanish wife and their four children, all born in the city between 2016 and 2022. He also provided evidence of several years of Social Security contributions and had passed the DELE and CCSE exams.
On Bladi.net : Spanish Court Denies Citizenship to Long-Term Moroccan Resident, Citing Lack of Integration
For the Audiencia Nacional, the numerous border crossings were therefore not sufficient to demonstrate a break in residence in Spain. The court overturned the refusal and directly recognized the Moroccan man’s right to obtain Spanish nationality. The administration will also have to bear 1,000 euros in legal costs.
