MORE ABOUT Spain

Spain's Citizenship by Descent

Spain offers citizenship by descent to individuals with Spanish ancestry, allowing them to reconnect with their heritage and gain the benefits of Spanish and EU citizenship.

MOBILITY ASSSET SNAPSHOT

Discover Citizenship by Descent in Spain

Spanish citizenship by descent, also known as "citizenship by origin" or "jus sanguinis" (right of blood), is available to individuals who can prove Spanish ancestry in a direct line. This path to citizenship allows descendants of Spanish citizens to claim their heritage, with specific provisions for different groups.

España
Mobility Asset Index Score
65.50%
Tipo de activo de movilidad
Ciudadanía por ascendencia
Official Name
"Ley de Memoria Democrática" (Democratic Memory Law)
Launched in:
2022
Online Submission:
No
Residency Privileges
(in months)
Lifetime
Adjudication Time
(in months)
30
Minimum Stay Requirement
(in days)
Ninguno
In-Country Presence Requirement
(in months)
Ninguno

Visión general

A Snapshot of Citizenship by Descent in Spain

One-Liner: Reconnect with your Spanish roots through citizenship by descent.

Requisitos

One parent is a Spanish national or both parents were born in Spain

Restricciones de anclaje

Must have been a Spanish citizen at the time of applicant's birth (special provisions for grandparents under the "Grandchildren's Law")

Meses para la ciudadanía

12-36

Duración del visado

Meses para el visado

Requisito de presencia física

Some cases require 1-2 years of residency

Disponibilidad

Medio

Subsidio familiar

Cónyuge e hijos

Visión general

Administrative Path: Submit application to Spanish embassy or consulate abroad

Apply in Country Path: Applications can be submitted in Spain if legally residing there

Visión general

Discover How GlobalPassport Simplifies the Application Process for Spain's Citizenship by Descent

Guía paso a paso

Nuestro experimentado equipo le guiará en cada etapa del proceso de solicitud, ofreciéndole una asistencia personalizada y adaptada a sus necesidades.

Preparación de documentos

Le ayudaremos a reunir y organizar los documentos que necesita para presentar su solicitud.

Presentación de solicitudes

Una vez que sus documentos estén listos, le indicaremos dónde y cómo presentar su solicitud a las autoridades pertinentes.

¿Preguntas?

FAQ's

Find answers to common questions about GlobalPassport™ and our services.

Is there a generational limit for Spanish citizenship by descent?

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Do I need to speak Spanish to apply for citizenship by descent?

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¿Cuánto dura el proceso de solicitud de la nacionalidad?

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Can I hold dual citizenship with Spain?

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Where do I submit my application for Spanish citizenship by descent?

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benefits

Benefits of Citizenship by Descent in Spain

Spanish citizenship offers numerous advantages, including EU membership benefits, visa-free travel to approximately 190 countries, and the opportunity to live and work in Spain and other EU countries.

Gain EU citizenship without residing in Spain

Visa-free access to over 190 countries

Enjoy benefits of Spanish and EU citizenship

Low application fee

No Physical Presence or In-Country Visit Requirements

Opportunity to claim citizenship up to two generations

Países sin visado

162

Passport Validity

5 years

Visión general

Why Spain

Spain offers a rich cultural heritage, beautiful landscapes, and the benefits of EU membership. As a Spanish citizen, you'll have access to opportunities across Europe and beyond.

Ventajas:

  • Ciudadanía de la UE
  • Viajes sin visado a unos 190 países
  • Right to live and work in Spain and other EU countries

Ventajas:

  • High quality of life
  • Rico patrimonio cultural e historia
  • Economía fuerte y oportunidades de empleo

¿Preguntas?

FAQ's

Find answers to common questions about GlobalPassport™ and our services.

Is there a generational limit for Spanish citizenship by descent?

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Do I need to speak Spanish to apply for citizenship by descent?

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¿Cuánto dura el proceso de solicitud de la nacionalidad?

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Can I hold dual citizenship with Spain?

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Where do I submit my application for Spanish citizenship by descent?

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REQUIREMENTS

Requirements for Spain - Citizenship By Descent

Check if you qualify based on your family history

Direct Ancestral Connection

2nd Generation Limit: Claims are generally limited to a parent or grandparent; great-grandparents are not usually included unless exceptional circumstances apply.

Documentation

General: Original or certified copies of vital records proving lineage+Specific Documents: Birth certificates, marriage certificates, death certificates (if applicable)+Translation: All foreign documents must be translated into Spanish by a certified translator.

Unbroken Chain of Citizenship

Citizenship Continuity: The Spanish ancestor must have maintained their Spanish citizenship until the birth of the next generation+Renouncement Rules: If the ancestor renounced their Spanish citizenship before the birth of the next descendant, this may affect eligibility+Naturalization Impact: If the ancestor naturalized in another country before the birth of the next generation, this could impact eligibility depending on Spanish law.

Legal Compliance

Criminal Record: A clean criminal record is required, especially if the applicant intends to reside in Spain or obtain a passport+Language Proficiency: Spain usually require applicants to take a language test to prove minimum proficiency in Spanish language+Cultural Knowledge: Spain usually require proof of cultural knowledge

REQUIREMENTS

Requirements for Citizenship by Descent in Spain

To apply for Spanish citizenship by descent, you must meet one of the following requirements:

  • Have at least one parent who is a Spanish national OR both parents were born in Spain
  • Pass the DELE A2 Spanish language test and CCSE cultural knowledge exam (for some cases)
  • Demonstrate good character (no serious criminal convictions)
  • All non-Spanish documents must be translated to Spanish and apostilled or legalized

PROCESS

Citizenship by Descent Process

#1

Initial Assessment

• Complete mobility match survey

• Upload GEDCOM files

• Verify ancestral eligibility

• Review program requirements

#2

Selection Phase

• View initial results

• Filter based on preferences

• Assess documentation requirements

• Choose target country

#3

Application Preparation

• Gather vital records

• Obtain apostilles

• Complete translations

• Prepare application forms

#4

Submission

• Schedule consular interview

• Submit petition

• Pay application fees

• Provide biometrics if required

#5

Monitoring & Approval

• Track processing time

• Respond to any queries

• Receive citizenship confirmation

• Collect passport/documents

Start now by taking our free assessment

START ASSESSMENT

PROCESS

Timeline for Spain - Citizenship By Descent

DOCUMENTS

Documents Needed for Spain - Citizenship By Descent

Important Notes
• All documents must be original or certified copies
• Non-English documents require certified translations
• Documents must be apostilled where applicable
Personal Identification Documents
Core identity documents required from the applicantis is some text inside of a div block.

Valid passport (copy of all pages)+ Two recent passport-sized photographs+Current government-issued ID

Documentos del Registro Civil
Birth, marriage, and death certificates from applicant and ancestors

Birth certificate of the applicant (legalized and translated)

Proof of Residence Documents
Evidence of current residence status

Certificate of residence or empadronamiento (if applying in Spain)+Proof of current address (if applying from abroad)

Criminal Clearance Documents
Background check documentation

Certificate of absence of criminal records from your country of residence+Certificate of absence of criminal records from Spain (if you have resided in Spain)

Financial Documents
Proof of payment and financial requirements

Not applicable

DOCUMENTS

Costs Associated with Spain - Citizenship By Descent

Pre-Application Costs
Essential document preparation and verification costs

Birth certificates from government archives; Marriage certificates for family dependencies; Police clearance records from current and past residences

Certified translations into official language(s); Apostille certification; Government-issued document legalization

Diploma and transcript verification; Professional certification authentication; Credential evaluation services

Government Application Fees
Official fees charged by government authorities

Initial application submission fee; Processing and handling charges; Administrative review fees

$120

Fingerprint collection fee; Digital photograph requirements; Biometric data processing

Required medical examinations; Vaccination verification; Health certificate processing

Post-Submission Costs
Costs after submitting your application

Document verification fees; Background check processing; Application status updates

Consulate visit expenses; Interview travel costs; Temporary accommodation (if required)

Language proficiency testing; Skills assessment fees; Additional document requests

Professional Services
Optional external support services

Immigration lawyer consultation; Document review services; Legal representation fees

Tax planning consultation; Asset transfer advisory; Investment planning services

Relocation services; Property search assistance; Settlement support services

Post-Acceptance Costs
Costs after approval

Residency card processing; Passport issuance fees; Registration certificates

Oath ceremony fees; Registration charges; Local authority fees

Renewal fees; Status maintenance costs; Annual reporting fees

Rankings

GlobalPassport™ Mobility Asset Index

79

Clasificación general

Coste

Based on application fee

Requisitos de residencia

Based on residency requirements

Duración de los privilegios de residencia

Based on programs’s term

Processing Speed

Based on estimated processing time

Requisitos

Based on entry requirements

Estabilidad del programa

Based on years of activity

Time to Permanent Residency

Based on permanent residency timeline

Rankings

Global Rankings/ Comparisions

Safety

España

23

Coste de la vida

España

40

Quality of Life

España

18

Healthcare Quality

España

9

Internet Speed

España

11

Human Freedom

España

31

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