Spanish Citizenship by Descent: Direct and Indirect Application Paths

Spain offers a unique and simplified naturalization process for millions of Latino-Americans, Filipinos, and Sephardic Jews with historical ties to the country. This article explores the indirect application path for Spanish citizenship by descent, detailing eligibility criteria, the application process, and necessary documentation.
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Who Can Claim Spanish Citizenship by Descent?

More than 70 million Latino-Americans can claim Spanish citizenship through a simplified naturalization procedure. This process also extends to other nationals with historical links to Spain, including Filipinos and Sephardic Jews. Many Mexicans, Cubans, Brazilians, Puerto Ricans, and others can claim Spanish citizenship by ancestry, even without directly tracing a Spanish ancestor.

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Direct Path

• Eligibility: Available to those born to Spanish parents or grandparents.
• Process: Faster and requires fewer steps compared to the indirect path.

Indirect Path

• Eligibility: Applicable to individuals with a Spanish grandparent, nationals from certain countries, and persons of Sephardic origin.
• Residency Requirements:
  • 1 Year: For those with a Spanish grandparent born in Spain.
  • 2 Years: For nationals from countries with historical ties to Spain (e.g., Mexico, Cuba, Brazil) and Sephardic Jews. Applicants must reside in Spain for six months within these two years, except for Sephardic Jews who have no physical presence requirement.

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Application Process for Spanish Citizenship by Descent

Direct Path

1. Register Your Birth: Submit and complete the form at your nearest consulate.
2. Consulate Appointment: Schedule and attend an appointment at the consulate, specifying if you’re applying for citizenship by option or recuperation.
3. Gather Documents: Collect all relevant documents for you and your parents.
4. Attend Consulate Appointment: Present your documents at the appointment.
5. Collect Spanish IDs: Receive your Spanish IDs a few weeks later.

Indirect Path

1. Gain Legal Residency: Obtain legal residency in Spain through a Golden Visa, Wealth Visa, or other resident permits.
2. Gather Documentation: Collect documents proving your ancestry, such as passports or birth certificates.
3. Apply for Naturalization: After one or two years of legal residence, apply for naturalization to the Spanish authorities.
4. Swear Oath of Allegiance: After two years, swear an oath of allegiance and collect your citizenship certificate.

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Required Documents for Spanish Citizenship by Descent

Unlike other EU citizenship by ancestry programs, Spain’s process is less exhaustive. Key documents include:

• Copy of Passport: Proving your identity.
• Proof of Legal Residency: Documenting your legal stay in Spain.
• Birth Certificate: Confirming your birth details.
• Additional Documents: Birth certificates of your parents and grandparents if required.
• Special Documentation for Sephardic Jews: Extensive genealogical proof tracing ancestry back to Muslim Spain.

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Dual Citizenship Considerations

Spain does not allow dual citizenship with most countries, requiring applicants to renounce their previous nationality during the oath of citizenship. However, this does not apply to Ibero-American nationalities like Mexican, Cuban, or Filipino. Although technically not allowed, U.S. citizens can retain their U.S. citizenship since orally renouncing it during the oath is not legally binding.