Why Spanish Citizenship by Descent
Spanish citizenship by descent allows you to reclaim your heritage and gain full EU membership through your family lineage.
EU Freedom of Movement: Live, work, study, or retire in all 27 EU countries plus Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein.
Powerful Passport: Spanish passport offers visa-free access to 190+ countries.
Dual Citizenship: Spain permits dual citizenship with many Latin American countries and allows it in most descent cases.
Healthcare and Social Benefits: Access Spain's public healthcare system and EU-wide social security.
Who Qualifies
You may qualify for Spanish citizenship by descent through the following pathways:
Spanish Parent: If either parent was a Spanish citizen at the time of your birth, you are automatically Spanish by origin, regardless of where you were born.
Born in Spain to Foreign Parent Born in Spain: If you were born in Spain and at least one parent was also born in Spain, you acquire Spanish nationality automatically.
Adopted by Spanish National: Children under 18 adopted by a Spanish citizen are Spanish by origin. Those over 18 may opt for nationality within two years of adoption.
Spanish Grandparent: If you have a Spanish grandparent, you may apply for citizenship after one year of legal residence in Spain.
Democratic Memory Law: This route for descendants of Spanish Civil War exiles and Franco-era emigrants closed on October 22, 2025. Applications submitted before the deadline continue to be processed.
The Process
Step 1: Eligibility Assessment
We review your family history to determine your pathway: automatic citizenship through a Spanish parent, or the residency-based route through a grandparent.
Step 2: Document Collection
We help you gather Spanish vital records, family documents, and proof of your ancestor's Spanish nationality.
Step 3: Document Preparation
All documents must be apostilled and translated into Spanish. We coordinate this process.
Step 4: Application Submission
We prepare and submit your application to the Spanish Civil Registry or consulate.
Need help finding documents? Our genealogical research service helps locate vital records across countries and generations. Learn more →
Requirements
Birth Certificate: Your official birth certificate with apostille.
Parent's Birth Certificate: Proof your parent was Spanish or born in Spain.
Parent's Spanish Documentation: Passport, DNI, or civil registry entry proving Spanish nationality.
Marriage Certificates: If claiming through married parents.
Apostilles and Translations: All foreign documents must be apostilled and translated into Spanish.
For grandparent route: You will also need proof of one year legal residence in Spain and your grandparent's Spanish birth certificate or nationality documentation.
What's Included
Complete eligibility assessment and consultation
Genealogical research assistance
Document review and checklist
Application preparation and filing
Translation coordination
Apostille guidance
Civil Registry liaison and follow-up
Status updates throughout the process
Timeline
| Milestone | Timeframe |
|---|---|
| Eligibility assessment | 1-2 weeks |
| Document collection | 2-6 months |
| Application preparation | 2-4 weeks |
| Government processing | 6-18 months |
Processing times vary based on the Civil Registry workload and case complexity.
Important Notes
Automatic Citizenship: Children of Spanish nationals are Spanish by origin automatically. You are registering existing citizenship, not applying for new citizenship.
Grandparent Route: Requires one year of legal residence in Spain before application.
Democratic Memory Law: This special route for Civil War descendants closed October 22, 2025. Pending applications continue processing.
Dual Citizenship: Spain has bilateral agreements with many Latin American countries allowing dual citizenship. Other cases may require renunciation.
No Language Requirement: Citizenship by descent does not require a Spanish language exam.