Spain Citizenship by Descent: Eligibility and Process

Spain citizenship by descent allows individuals with Spanish parents and in some cases grandparents, to reclaim nationality under Spain’s jus sanguinis law.

This right is rooted in legislation designed to preserve citizenship for descendants of Spaniards who emigrated or lost their nationality due to exile, migration, or historical events.

This article explains:

• What is the Spanish citizenship by descent law?
• How to qualify for Spanish citizenship by descent
• How to prove jus sanguinis in Spain?
• Is Spain a strong passport?

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The information in this article is for general guidance only. It does not constitute financial, legal, or tax advice, and is not a recommendation or solicitation to invest. Some facts may have changed since the time of writing.

What is the jus sanguinis law in Spain?

Spain follows the principle of jus sanguinis (right of blood), meaning that Spanish nationality is primarily inherited through ancestry rather than the place of birth.

If one or both of your parents are Spanish citizens, you are typically entitled to claim citizenship, even if you were born abroad.

The legal foundation for jus sanguinis in Spain was first solidified in the Spanish Civil Code of 1889, which set out how nationality could be acquired or retained.

Since then, Spain’s citizenship laws have gone through several reforms, often tied to migration and political events:

• Early framework (19th–20th century): Spain began codifying the transmission of nationality abroad as large waves of Spaniards emigrated to Latin America and other regions.
• Post-war and exile context: Special provisions were created for descendants of Spaniards who fled during the Spanish Civil War (1936–1939) and Francoist dictatorship.
• Ley de Memoria Histórica (2007): This law temporarily opened a window for grandchildren of exiles to reclaim Spanish nationality.
• Ley de Memoria Democrática (2022–2023): Also called the Grandchildren’s Law, this more recent measure allowed many descendants of exiles including children and grandchildren to apply.

Is Spanish citizenship by descent ending?

Spanish citizenship by descent is not ending.

While some provisions—such as the special Law of Democratic Memory that allowed descendants of exiles to apply—had specific deadlines, the core jus sanguinis principle remains in Spanish nationality law.

How to get citizenship by descent in Spain

You can apply for Spanish citizenship by descent through the Civil Registry (Registro Civil) in Spain or a Spanish consulate abroad. The process requires:

• Filing the application in person.
• Providing certified birth and marriage certificates to prove the parent–child link.
• Showing proof of your parent or ancestor’s Spanish nationality (e.g., Spanish birth certificate, passport, or DNI).
• Submitting translations and apostilles/legalizations for foreign documents.

Once approved, you are registered as a Spanish citizen in the Civil Registry and may then apply for a DNI and passport.

Who is eligible for Spanish citizenship by descent?

Eligibility depends on your family connection to Spain:

• Children of Spanish citizens are generally entitled to citizenship.
• Grandchildren of Spanish nationals may qualify if their parent was originally Spanish and lost or renounced citizenship before the applicant’s birth.
• Descendants of Spaniards in exile (for political, ideological, or religious reasons, or due to the Civil War and Franco regime) may be eligible under special laws like the Law of Democratic Memory (Ley de Memoria Democrática).
• Applicants from Latin American countries, Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea, or Portugal, can also benefit from a fast-track naturalization process, reducing the residence requirement from 10 years to just 2.

If my great great grandfather was Spanish can I get citizenship?

Generally, Spain citizenship by descent does not extend beyond grandparents. A great-great-grandparent link is too distant under current law.

However, if your parent or grandparent retained Spanish nationality, you may still qualify through them, but not through a more distant ancestor like a great-great-grandparent.

Otherwise, you would need to explore residency-based naturalization instead.

How long does it take to get Spanish citizenship by descent?

Processing times can range from 1 to 3 years, depending on the consulate or registry office workload.

If applying through special laws, deadlines and procedures may differ.

Compared with naturalization (which can take 10 years of residence), descent-based claims are usually faster.

How to prove Spanish citizenship by descent?

Applicants must provide:

• Birth certificates of themselves, their parents, and grandparents.
• Proof of Spanish nationality for the ancestor (such as a Spanish passport, DNI, or consular registration).
• Legalized and translated documents if issued abroad.

These records must establish an unbroken chain of descent. Missing documents often complicate the process.

What’s the easiest way to get citizenship in Spain?

The easiest path is direct descent from a Spanish parent, as this usually grants automatic citizenship.

Grandchild claims are possible but require more documentation and may depend on temporary laws.

For those without Spanish ancestry, the main alternative is residency-based naturalization.

How powerful is a Spanish passport?

The Spanish passport ranks among the world’s strongest passports. As of 2025:

• According to the Henley Passport Index (July 2025), Spain is tied with several other EU countries ranked 4th, offering visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 188 destinations.
• Arton Capital Passport Index – According to Arton’s Passport Index, Spain’s passport has a Mobility Score of 175 and ranked #2 globally, reflecting visa-free and visa-on-arrival access to over 120 countries.
• On the Nomad Passport Index, Spain has a total score of 103.5 and ranks in the top 40 (32T in the ranking), reflecting not just visa access but perception, dual citizenship, tax, and personal freedoms.

Is Spain citizenship worth it?

For many expats and descendants, Spain’s citizenship is highly valuable.

 It provides access to Europe’s labor market, healthcare, education, and investment opportunities.

Additionally, it allows integration into one of Europe’s most culturally rich countries, with the benefit of passing citizenship to future generations.

Conclusion

Spain citizenship by descent remains one of the most meaningful ways to reconnect with your heritage while unlocking the advantages of EU nationality.

Rooted in jus sanguinis, the framework allows children and, in many cases, grandchildren of Spaniards to reclaim a legal and cultural bond with Spain.

While eligibility rules can be complex especially with temporary laws like the Ley de Memoria Democrática, the process is generally faster and more straightforward than residency-based naturalization.

For descendants of Spaniards, this pathway not only preserves family legacy but also grants access to Europe’s free movement, world-class healthcare and education, and one of the strongest passports globally.

Whether motivated by opportunity, security, or cultural identity, citizenship by descent offers long-term value for future generations.

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