Eligibility Quiz
Was at least one of your parents a Spanish citizen at the time of your birth?
Overview
Spanish citizenship by descent, known as Jure Sanguinis (right of blood), is the legal process by which individuals with Spanish ancestry can claim or "opt" into Spanish nationality. Unlike naturalization, which requires years of residency, this pathway is based on your family ties to Spain.
It is important to distinguish this permanent pathway from the Democratic Memory Law (Ley de Memoria Democrática), often called the "Grandchildren's Law." That temporary law, which provided a broader window for grandchildren and great-grandchildren, expired on October 22, 2025. Current applications must now rely on the permanent provisions of the Spanish Civil Code, which primarily focus on the children of Spanish citizens.
Rights as a Spanish Citizen
Once your citizenship is registered, you are granted the same rights as any Spaniard born in Madrid or Barcelona.
- EU Freedom of Movement: You gain the right to live, work, and study in any of the 27 European Union member states without a visa.
- Consular Protection: Access to Spanish diplomatic protection and assistance while traveling anywhere in the world.
- Voting Rights: The right to participate in Spanish local, national, and European elections (via the CERA registry for Spaniards living abroad).
- Family Reunification: The ability to sponsor certain non-EU family members (like spouses or dependent children) for residency in Spain or the EU.
- Dual Nationality Restrictions: Spain requires most applicants to renounce their previous nationality. However, you are exempt from this requirement and can keep your original passport if you are a national of an Ibero-American country, Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea, Portugal, or France.