Spain citizenship by descent
Spain grants nationality by origin to children of Spaniards, and by option to those whose parent was born Spanish in Spain — but the Democratic Memory 'Grandchildren Law' closed to new applications in October 2025. Check whether you qualify, build your lineage, and get a primary-source-backed document checklist and cost estimate.
Who may qualify
- A Spanish parent who was a citizen when you were born → nationality by origin (Art. 17).
- A parent who was originally Spanish and born in Spain → you may opt for nationality (Art. 20.1.b), with no deadline.
- Grandparent-only claims ran through the Democratic Memory Law, which stopped accepting new applications on Oct 22, 2025 (pending files still processed).
- No language exam or residence requirement for descent-based registration.
A general overview — your eligibility depends on the specifics of your line. The free check gives a personalized answer.
Not sure where to start?
The free eligibility check takes about two minutes.
Democratic Memory 'Grandchildren Law' closed to new applications
Spain's Ley de Memoria Democrática window for grandchildren of Spanish exiles and emigrants stopped accepting new applications on October 22, 2025, with no extension. Applications filed before the deadline continue to be processed. Nationality by origin (Art. 17) and by option (Art. 20) remain available.
Read the full summaryBy ancestor path
Your relationship to the Spain ancestor determines which rules apply.
If your parent was a Spanish citizen when you were born, you're Spanish by origin (Art. 17) — register at the consulate.
If your parent was originally Spanish and born in Spain, you can opt for nationality under Art. 20.1.b — no deadline.
Grandparent-only claims ran through the Democratic Memory 'Grandchildren Law', which closed to new applications on Oct 22, 2025; pending files are still processed.
What you'll need
- Government fee
- Consular registration is generally free
- Typical timeline
- ~12–18 months
- Where
- Your Spanish consulate or the Registro Civil Central, Madrid
Key dates & laws
Oct 22, 2025 — Democratic Memory Law
The 'Grandchildren Law' window closed to new applications, with no extension. Applications filed in time are still processed.
Art. 17 & Art. 20 Código Civil
Nationality by origin (children of Spaniards) and by option (parent originally Spanish, born in Spain) remain available.
Where it's processed
Spanish Consulate / Registro Civil Central
Tools
Guides
Frequently asked questions
- Who qualifies for Spain citizenship by descent?
- Eligibility runs through the By origin (Art. 17) + option (Art. 20) pathway and depends on your specific line of descent — which ancestor was a citizen, when, and whether the chain was ever broken by naturalization or other events. Run the free eligibility check for a personalized answer.
- Which authority decides Spain citizenship cases?
- Registro Civil / Consulate. EasyPassport is not affiliated with them; we help you organize and verify, and you submit to the authority directly.
- How long does it take?
- Timelines vary widely by route and backlog and are outside any service's control. Treat published averages as estimates and confirm current waits with the authority.
- Do I need to upload my passport or ID?
- No. EasyPassport never stores passports or government IDs — it's a checklist and organization tool, not a document vault.
- Is this legal advice?
- No. We use “may qualify” language because the authority makes the final determination. For an individualized opinion, consult a qualified attorney in the relevant jurisdiction.
Other countries we support
EasyPassport is not affiliated with Registro Civil / Consulate, any government, or any consulate. This is a document-organization tool, not legal advice — always verify with the relevant authority.