Spanish Citizenship By Descent

Get Spanish Citizenship through Descent (Ancestry)

Spanish citizenship by descent (often called citizenship by origin or jus sanguinis) is a legal pathway that allows individuals to become Spanish citizens based on their family lineage rather than being born in Spain or living there for a long time.

Under Spanish law, citizenship is primarily passed down through parents, meaning that if you have a Spanish parent, you may already be entitled to Spanish nationality.

Being a Spanish national allows you to enjoy the rights and privileges that Spanish and EU citizenship provide. Using citizenship by descent, you can travel freely throughout Europe without a visa. With citizenship in Spain, you have the right to work in the country and any other EU member state. You would also be able to freely study and live in any of the countries of the European Union.

Spanish citizens can exercise the right to vote in the nation and can progress more quickly than people with different statuses when going through legal processes in Spain. Also, they do not have to worry about an expiration date on the benefits they get from being citizens of Spain.

It was possible under the so-called niche Grandchildren’s law for children and grandchildren of certain Spanish nationals to acquire citizenship. However, this route closed to new applicants in October 2025.

Eligibility Requirements for Spanish Citizenship by Descent

You can be eligible for citizenship in Spain by descent if:

• One of your parents is a Spanish national
• Your parents were both born in Spain
• You were adopted by a Spanish national before you turned 18 years old
• You have grandparents who are Spanish
• You are a Latin American with a grandparent born in Spain
• You have Spanish ancestors with citizenship in Spain

Those who get Spanish citizenship by descent, using family relationships with a Spanish grandparent, may be children of people who got Spanish nationality by origin and could not become Spanish nationals when the law was put into force as they were not over 18 years old at the time.

Eligibility by Descent – Relationship & Conditions

Eligibility for Naturalisation

It is important that, when considering naturalisation to Spanish citizenship, you ensure that no more than 3 months are continuously spent outside of Spain. Failing to do this can lead to ineligibility for naturalisation. To be eligible for naturalisation, you should have lived in Spain for at least a year.

Naturalisation after 1 year is possible for the following types of people:

• Those who are born on Spanish soil
• People born outside Spain to a Spanish mother or father
• Those who are outside of Spain to a Spanish grandmother or grandfather

You could get naturalised after 2 years if you’re of Sephardic origin, from an Ibero-American country, or one of the countries in the table below:

Find out if you’re eligible for Spanish citizenship by descent. Check the criteria with us today.

DELE A2 and CCSE Citizenship Tests

There is a language requirement associated with Spanish citizenship. As part of your citizenship by descent application process, you must pass a DELE A2 test which is a Spanish language test. People from Latin American countries or who have attended a school or high school in Spain, are exempted from the DELE A2 test.

You will also be required to take the CCSE examination. It measures your knowledge of the Spanish constitution and the country’s social and cultural practices.

There are accredited centres in Spain for both tests. If you are currently living outside Spain, you can take the tests at the Spanish embassy or consulate in your country of residence.

Blood Tests for Proving Spanish Ancestry

In certain scenarios, you may have to take blood tests for genetics to prove your Spanish bloodline officially. Such tests may be crucial in proving your family relationship with your Spanish parent, depending on your circumstances.

Spanish Citizenship Through a Parent

If you have Spanish citizen parents, or your parents were born in Spain, you may apply to become a Spanish citizen by descent, provided you meet all eligibility requirements and other related conditions of citizenship in Spain. Adopted children of a Spanish family are also eligible to apply for Spanish citizenship by descent.

Your right to become a citizen in Spain by descent is based on what is known as the principle of ‘jus sanguinis’ (i.e., blood right). Article 11 of the Spanish Constitution explains the provisions for applying for citizenship in Spain through ‘jus sanguinis’, while Articles 17-28 of the Spanish Civil Code provide the regulatory framework around how citizenship in Spain is acquired, retained, lost, and recovered.

You may be eligible for obtaining Spanish citizenship by descent in 2026 if you fulfil any of the following conditions:

• You have at least one parent who is a Spanish national (regardless of where you have been born)
• You were born in Spain to foreign national parents, and at least one of them was also born in Spain (excluding children of foreign diplomats)
• You were born in Spain to parents who are stateless themselves
• You were born in Spain to foreign national parents, and the laws of both their home countries do not grant the parents’ nationality to children born abroad (so the child will be stateless if they cannot get citizenship in Spain)
• You were born in Spain with unknown parentage
• You have been adopted by a Spanish national before you turned 18

Spain does not follow the principle of ‘jus soli’ (right of soil) when it comes to citizenship, so children born in Spain do not automatically become Spanish citizens. However, children born in Spain to foreign parents can usually apply for citizenship after one year of lawful residence in the country.

Spanish Citizenship Through a Grandparent

Prior to 2022, Spanish law used to allow only biological or adopted children of Spanish national parent(s), or of foreign parents born in Spain, to apply for citizenship by descent. However, this scenario changed in 2022 when the Democratic Memory Law (‘Ley de Memoria Democrática’), popularly known as the Grandchildren’s Law (‘Ley de Nietos’), came into force.

On 21 October 2022, Spain introduced the Grandchildren’s Law to allow foreign nationals having Spanish grandparents (or great-grandparents) apply for Spanish citizenship by descent, provided they could fulfil specific conditions. The intention behind passing this law was to repair the damage caused to certain sections of Spanish citizens by the Civil War in Spain and the subsequent Franco dictatorship.

It was decided initially that the law would be in force for two years, closing the window on 22 October 2024. Later on, the Spanish government extended the deadline by another year. Accordingly, the Democratic Memory Law expired on 22 October 2025. However, if you had booked an appointment before the deadline and obtained an electronic receipt with a Secure Verification Code (CSV), you would be able to submit your documents in person on a later date to complete the process.

The following cases outline when and how one could claim citizenship in Spain by descent under the Grandchildren’s Law:

• If you were born outside Spain of parents or grandparents who were originally Spanish (you must be able to submit the literal birth certificate of your Spanish grandparents and/or parents)
• If you were born outside Spain of parents or grandparents who were originally Spanish but lost or renounced their Spanish nationality on account of having suffered exile for political, ideological, religious or sexual orientation and identity reasons:
  • If they left Spain between 18 July 1936 and 31 December 1955, they would be presumed to have been exiled (and so must only prove their departure from Spanish territory during the said period)
  • If they left Spain between 1 January 1956 and 28 December 1978, you must be able to produce documents proving that they were exiled
• If you were born outside Spain to a Spanish mother who lost their nationality because of marrying a foreigner before the enactment of the 1978 Constitution (you must be able to submit your mother’s birth certificate, her marriage certificate, and documents proving that she acquired her husband’s nationality following her marriage unless it was formalised before 5 August 1954)
• If you are above 18 and your Spanish parent’s nationality of origin was recognized by virtue of the right of option according to the Seventh Additional Provision of Law 52/2007 of 26 December or to the Eighth Additional Provision of Law 20/2022, the Grandchildren’s Law ((you must be able to submit the literal birth certificate of your Spanish parent)
• If you were born to a parent originally Spanish, born in Spain, who opted for Spanish nationality not of origin (by virtue of Article 20.1.b of the Civil Code)
• Minor children of those who have acquired Spanish nationality by application of the Law of Historical Memory, who opted, in turn, for Spanish nationality not of origin (by virtue of Article 20.1.a of the Civil Code) because they were under the parental authority of a Spanish national

Foreign nationals who have obtained Spanish citizenship under the Grandchildren’s Law are entitled to enjoy all rights and benefits associated with Spanish citizenship for life. They can also pass the same to their future generations by descent.

Can I Obtain Spanish Citizenship Through a Great-Grandparent?

There is no legal provision as of now to apply for citizenship in Spain by descent through a Spanish great-grandparent.

However, if at least one of your parents obtained Spanish citizenship under the Grandchildren’s Law, you will be eligible to apply for Spanish citizenship by descent by virtue of being a child of a Spanish national.

How to Apply for Spanish Citizenship by Descent?

The Spanish citizenship by descent application has to be made in person. You may submit your application to the Central Civil Registry if you are already in Spain. If you are outside Spain, you can apply to the Spanish embassy or consulate in your country of residence.

Follow this step-by-step guide to apply for Spanish citizenship by descent:

1. Go through the eligibility criteria and all other requirements for obtaining Spanish citizenship by descent carefully to confirm that you are eligible to apply
2. Arrange for all documentary evidence required to prove that you meet the eligibility criteria for Spanish citizenship through descent. It is always advisable to gather as many documents supporting your claim as possible
3. Download the relevant citizenship application form from Spanish Ministry of Justice’s website
4. Fill in the application form completely and accurately, and sign it
5. Pay the required fees
6. Book an appointment (at the Civil Registry Office if you are in Spain or your nearest Spanish embassy/consulate if you reside abroad) to submit your citizenship application and attend an interview

You can get in touch with your local consulate or civil registry to get a comprehensive list of all supporting documents required in your circumstances. Foreign public documents must be legalised and apostilled. Any document not in Spanish must be translated by a translator accredited by the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Registering Process for Children Born in Spain

If your child is eligible to obtain Spanish citizenship by descent, you must register them with the Civil Registry Office in Spain (or with the civil registry section of your nearest Spanish embassy or consulate if you reside outside Spain) within 10 days after the birth. You may have a maximum of 30 days to do so provided there is a valid and acceptable reason for such extension.

In addition, the birth will have to be duly recorded in the municipal or consular registry of the area where your child has been born.

Spanish Citizenship by Descent Application Form

It is crucial to ensure you have filled out all the relevant forms for your Spanish citizenship by descent process completely and accurately. Spanish authorities are known for their strict requirements for specific forms and intricate paperwork, so you must pay careful attention.

While it is advisable to consult a reputed immigration lawyer to get foolproof advice on forms and paperwork, you will usually have to fill in the following forms to apply for citizenship in Spain:

• EX-01 or EX-02 for nationality applications
• Model 790-code 026 form for payment of the processing fees
• An official affidavit for declaration of descent and link to Spanish citizen
• Civil Registry request form for registration of nationality acquisition

Documents Required for Spanish Citizenship by Descent?

The documents you need to provide to complete your application for citizenship by descent in Spain include:

• Birth certificate of a Spanish parent from a Spanish Civil Registry, a foreign Civil Registry, or a consular or municipal
• Birth certificate of Spanish grandfather or grandmother of the applicant from a municipal Civil Registry in Spain
• Birth certificate linking the father or mother with the grandfather or grandmother
• Applicant’s birth certificate
• Spanish marriage certificate
• Death certificate
• Proof of payment of application fees
• Current passport and resident document
• Document confirming pass of DELE A2 and CCSE exams
• Proof of employment in Spain
• Oath at Civil Registry
• Documents proving legal residency

The documentation you need to provide depends on your circumstances. Children of Spanish emigrants would have to provide their birth certificate and the birth certificate of their father or mother from a Civil Registry. A grandchild of Spanish emigrants would need to provide those documents, as well as their grandparent’s birth certificate.

Children of Spanish nationals who are of legal age with nationality recognised by option would need to provide their birth certificate, as well as the birth certificate of their Spanish parent, showing that they opted for Spanish nationality of origin. The birth certificate of the applicant which shows that they are a child of a Spaniard could also be provided.

Required Documents by Scenario

Fees and Processing Times for Spanish Citizenship by Descent

The fees for applying for Spanish citizenship by descent can range from €60-100. You may be required to pay more than that amount if extra evidence is needed to process your application. Application fees are non-refundable.

The Spanish government has a year to legally respond to applications. The processing times can be long for gaining citizenship by descent. It is not unusual for the application procedure to take 2 to 3 years.

The DELE A2 can cost around €130. The cost of the CCSE tests could costs €85.

What Happens If My Application is Rejected?

In certain cases, an applicant may not get an answer after 12 months. This could indicate that their application has been rejected due to administrative inaction.

If your application gets rejected, you can appeal against the decision directly with the Ministry of Justice or the Spanish consulate closest to you. A response to an appeal may be provided in 3 – 4 months.

What Happens After My Application is Approved?

After your application is approved, you’ll need to give an oath of obedience to the Spanish constitution and laws, as well as swear loyalty to Spain’s king. The oath can be taken at the Civil Registry or before a notary.

In certain cases, taking your oath before a notary could be a faster process than taking it at an overcrowded Civil Registry in a big city. An overcrowded Civil Registry in a big city can take months to give an appointment.

There is no dual citizenship in Spain. This means that your relationship with Spain has to be exclusive unless you are from an Ibero-American country.

It is important to remember that if you go abroad and do not use your Spanish nationality within 3 years, the nearest Spanish consulate may begin a withdrawal process. This is why you should use your Spanish passport after you get it and make a declaration in the consulate that you intend to keep the passport.

Alternative Ways to Obtain Spanish Citizenship

If you’re not eligible for citizenship by descent in Spain, there may be other ways for you to obtain citizenship instead.

For instance, you may wish to look into obtaining Spanish citizenship by residency, which will involve living in Spain for a minimum number of years and fulfilling other requirements such as passing a language test and proving that you have not been outside the country for a certain period of time.

Alternatively, it is possible to obtain Spanish citizenship by marriage if you are married to a Spanish citizen and apply for residency in Spain.

There are also pathways to obtain citizenship through option or birth, though these require you to already have been born into a situation where you are eligible for citizenship by circumstance.

Comparison of Spanish Citizenship Routes

How to Get a Spanish Passport by Descent?

If your Spanish citizenship by descent application is approved, you will need to take an oath of obedience to the Spanish constitution and laws at the Civil Registry or before a notary. During this oath-taking ceremony, you will also have to swear your loyalty to the King of Spain. You can apply for a Spanish passport after becoming a citizen.

Note that after becoming a Spanish citizen by descent, you will be entitled to apply for a standard Spanish passport, unless:

• You have been sentenced to penalties or security measures in Spain that either completely deprive you of, or limit, your freedom of residence or movement outside the country
• A judicial body does not allow you to leave Spain, or has prohibited the issuance of a Spanish passport to you, because you are an accused in a criminal proceeding
• The Spanish Ministry of the Interior has reasonably limited your freedom of movement outside Spain due to the states of alarm, exception and siege

A Spanish passport application is an in-person process. The Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs is the issuance authority for Spanish passports. If you are in Spain at the time of your application, you can apply through an official passport office in Spain.

If you are living outside Spain, you will need to visit your nearest Spanish embassy or consulate in your country of residence to apply for or renew your Spanish passport. You will first be required to schedule an appointment online with your respective Spanish embassy/consulate general. On the date of your appointment, you will need to visit the consular section in person to submit your documents and pay the application processing fees (if paid by cash or a credit/debit card). You can also pay the fees online.

If you are subject to parental authority or guardianship according to the Spanish law, issuing a Spanish passport to you will depend on obtaining express consent from your parent, guardian or custodian board’s express consent (or, failing the same, consent from a competent judicial body).

Last but not the least, if you are allowed to keep your original nationality, ensure you use your Spanish passport if you travel abroad within three years of becoming a citizen in Spain by descent. Otherwise, the nearest Spanish consulate may begin a withdrawal process.

How Can IAS Help with Spanish Citizenship by Descent Application?

The introduction of new laws in Spain means that thousands of people could be eligible for citizenship by descent.

As more people apply for Spanish citizenship by descent, there will be greater demand to understand what it takes to successfully apply for Spanish citizenship. Due to the huge amount of document requirements and details required to complete processes, some applicants fail to make successful applications.

Some applicants can get overwhelmed by the thought of having to find not only their documents (which they may no longer possess) but also the documents of relatives. This could mean that they have to spend extra time finding the appropriate organisations to get the documents. The process may seem complicated but with the right experts, it can be simplified for your benefit.

Our team of professionals is experienced in helping applicants for Spanish citizenship to navigate through the processes needed to gain citizenship in Spain. Our expert advisers are equipped with the resources you need to quickly process your application.

People often find that it takes months to prepare documentation on their own and that they don’t have all the details needed to meet the application requirements for citizenship. With the help of our advisers, your citizenship application can be completed quickly. Relying on professionals at Immigration Advice Services helps to get the necessary documents as quickly as possible so that your application can be processed quickly.

If you are interested in getting more information about our immigration services and how we can help you, please call us on +44 (0)333 414 9244, or contact us online today.