Can I apply for Spanish citizenship and then leave the country?

What this means if you want to work there

People living in Spain who apply for citizenship might wonder about leaving the country during that process. This question matters for foreign workers who need to travel for family reasons or new job opportunities across Europe. The rules decide whether your ongoing application stays valid if you cross the border before the final decision arrives. The published report does not state how long the government takes to review each individual case. That missing timeline means you should not book long trips away until you check the official guidance. Keep your current residency documents valid and ready while you wait for news from the authorities.