Countdown: Obtain Spanish Citizenship (Grandchildren and Great-grandchildren) 2025

Are you the grandchild or even the great-grandchild of a Spaniard and interested in applying for Spanish citizenship by descent? You may be eligible under the Democratic Memory Law, also known as the Grandchildren’s Law. This law, initially introduced in October 2022 and renewed in 2024, offers a streamlined path to Spanish citizenship by descent through a great-grandparent or grandparent, eliminating the need to reside in Spain for at least one year and to take Spanish language and culture tests..

The law remains in effect until October 2025, so now is the perfect time to explore your eligibility and begin the application process for Spanish citizenship.

A significant update was introduced in November 2024: the scheduling process for submitting citizenship applications under the Democratic Memory Law is now gradually being handled online by Consulates. This shift makes the process more secure and convenient, ensuring that all applications scheduled within the deadline are processed, even if the in-person appointments occur after the law expires. Learn more about these updates in our full article on the Democratic Memory Law.

What is Spain’s Democratic Memory Law?

In short, the Democratic Memory Law allows the following individuals to apply for Spanish nationality:

• People born outside of Spain of a father or mother, grandfather or grandmother, originally Spanish;
• Children or grandchildren of Spaniards who lost or renounced their nationality due to exile motivated by political, ideological, identity, or sexual orientation issues, during the period from 1936 to 1978;
• Children of Spanish women who have lost their nationality due to marriage to a foreign citizen;
• Children (of legal age) of Spanish citizens whose original nationality is not recognized according to legal provisions;
• Adult children of Spaniards whose nationality of origin has been recognized by virtue of the right of option under the Historical Memory Law (Seventh Additional Provision of Law 52/2007 of December 26);
• Volunteers (and their descendants) who were members of the International Brigades (brigadistas), who participated in the War from 1936 to 1939. In this case, they can acquire Spanish nationality through a naturalization certificate.

Not sure if you fit into any of the above scenarios? Talk to Atlantic Bridge consultants and find out if you can apply for Spanish citizenship!

When Does the Democratic Memorial Act Expire?

It is important to note that the “Lei da Memória Democrática” has a period of validity.

It expires on October 21, 2025. Therefore, it is essential to file nationality applications under this legislation before this date to ensure the benefits offered.

Dual Spanish Citizenship: Advantages of the Grandchildren’s Law Spain

We have already mentioned that the Ley de Nietos is quite advantageous for those applying for Spanish citizenship as adults, as it waives the requirement of one year of residence in Spain.

Another great advantage of this law is that its beneficiaries can maintain their original nationality, allowing dual citizenship without the need for renunciation. This includes the case of Hispanic-American and British-Spanish citizenship!

This topic is detailed in this article: Does Applying for Spanish Citizenship Affect My American Citizenship?

Spanish Citizenship for Great-Grandchildren in 2025

Similar to the citizenship process for Portuguese great-grandchildren, Spanish nationality laws do not directly grant citizenship to great-grandchildren of Spanish citizens (skipping two generations), unlike what is provided for children or grandchildren. For a great-grandchild to obtain Spanish nationality, it’s necessary for a direct ancestor to acquire it first in order to pass it on subsequently to the great-grandchild.

However, under the current Memory Democratic Law, it’s now possible for a two-generation request to be made simultaneously. In other words: the great-grandchild and the living ancestor (parent or grandparent) can apply for citizenship together, provided they reside in the same consular region, expediting the processing of applications.

Advantages of having Spanish Nationality?

Having dual citizenship and a European passport offers numerous advantages. It allows you to travel visa-free to the United States and over 190 other countries, in addition to the opportunity to live and work in any European Union country.

Furthermore, should you decide to reside in Europe you gain access to Europe’s efficient healthcare and public education systems, as well as the possibility to access bank financing at lower interest rates.

Above all, having a European passport means much more freedom and greater opportunities for you and your entire family.

Not eligible for Spanish citizenship? Live in Spain with a residence visa. Discover the Spain Golden Visa, Non-Lucrative Visa, and the Digital Nomad Visa.

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