Spanish Citizenship By Descent
APPLYING FOR SPAIN CITIZENSHIP BY DESCENT
Obtaining Spain Citizenship by Descent Through Ancestors
If your parent or grandparent was a Spanish citizen, your path to becoming Spanish dual citizen is made much easier through Spain’s citizenship by descent laws.
Today, applying for Spanish citizenship by descent is one of the most popular ways for people to gain dual citizenship with Spain and the USA.
Unfortunately, Spanish nationality law is spread out over many different codes—making it difficult for many people to obtain all of the required documentation and have a successful citizenship application.
This guide was designed to provide all of the information in one location. In it, we review the law and provide everything you need to know about this pathway to obtain Spanish and USA dual citizenship.
Spanish Citizenship by Descent at a Glance
Eligibility
| Generation | Criteria |
|---|---|
| Through a Parent | Any of the following: ● One parent was a Spanish citizen at your birth ● Both parents were born in Spain (not necessarily citizens) ● Adopted by a Spanish citizen before age 18 |
| Through a Grandparent | ● Grandparent was a Spanish citizen ● Grandmother lost Spanish nationality due to the 1978 Constitution revoking her citizenship because she was married to a non-Spanish husband |
| As a Sephardi Jew | Previously available under a 2015 law but no longer offered. |
Documents Required
| Document | Notes |
|---|---|
| Copy of birth certificate | Made within the last 3 months |
| National ID or passport | |
| Ancestor’s proof of Spanish citizenship | |
| Birth certificate for the qualifying ancestor | |
| Birth certificate for intervening generation | If applying through a grandparent |
| Grandparent's marriage certificate | If applying through a grandparent |
| Spanish language exam results | |
| Proof of ties to Spain | Especially important if applying through a grandparent |
| Proof of address | |
| Completed application form |
Application Process
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| 1. Gather documents | Collect all required documents, ensuring they are apostilled and translated into Spanish. |
| 2. Schedule an appointment | Book a meeting at: ● the Spanish Embassy or Consulate (if abroad) ● Civil Registry Office (if in Spain). |
| 3. Submit application | Bring the required documents and attend your scheduled appointment. |
What is Spain Citizenship by Descent?
Applying for Spanish citizenship by descent is one of the most popular ways for people to become Spanish citizens. It requires having a parent or grandparent who were Spanish citizens themselves.
If that is the case, their citizenship is passed down to you through the bloodline.
In some ways, you can think of this as simply making legally official what is already yours. When you go through the process and obtain Spanish dual citizenship, you gain access to the many benefits of Spanish citizenship.
Requirements for Spain Citizenship by Descent
When learning how to get Spanish citizenship by descent you will want to pay close attention to the legal requirements associated with each path. The requirements you need to meet for this pathway depend on if you are qualifying through a parent or grandparent.
No matter what route you take, you’ll need to meet these requirements:
Spanish Citizenship by Descent Through a Parent
If any of the following apply to you, then you qualify for citizenship by descent with Spain:
- One of your parents was a Spanish national at the time of your birth
- Both of your parents were born in Spain (but aren’t necessarily citizens)
- You were adopted by a Spanish citizen before you turned 18
Spanish Citizenship by Descent Through a Grandparent
If you qualify through a Spanish grandparent, you’ll need to prove they were a citizen and their connection to your parent.
There are some cases where it is particularly written out that grandparents qualify you. For instance: if you are the grandchild of a Spanish woman who was born in Spain but married someone who wasn’t a citizen and then lost her citizenship due to the 1978 Constitution, you can gain citizenship by descent.
Can I Get Spanish Citizenship by Descent Through a Great-Grandparent?
Unfortunately, there is not currently a legal route to apply for Spanish citizenship by descent through your great-grandparent.
Can I Get Spanish Citizenship by Descent as a Sephardi Jew?
The last decade saw Portugal and Spain offering special routes to citizenship for Sephardi Jews. But for those looking to take advantage of this in 2025, the time window has closed.
Spain passed a law in 2015 that allowed descendants of Sephardi Jews expelled in 1492 to return to the country as citizens. That involved a process where applicants had to prove not only their ancestral origins but also an ongoing connection to Spain. They were given a 3-year time window to do this.
That window was extended due to how many people signed up, and it was extended again due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Thousands of people became Spanish citizens this way.
Unfortunately, this pathway is no longer available.
Documents Needed for Spanish Citizenship by Descent?
Applying for Spain citizenship by descent will require legally-recognized proof of your ancestor’s Spanish citizenship and your ties to that ancestor. The following is a list of documents you’ll want to gather before starting the Spanish dual citizenship application process (more on that process in the next section):
- Your birth certificate
- Your national ID or passport
- Document proving ancestor’s Spanish citizenship
- Birth certificate for qualifying ancestor that’s apostilled within the last year
- Birth certificate for intervening generation (if qualifying through a grandparent)
- Marriage certificate for grandparent (if qualifying through a grandparent)
- Spanish language exam results
- Proof of ties to Spain
- Proof of address
- Completed application form
Documents must be apostilled (according to the Hague Convention) or officially approved by the Spanish Embassy. They must also be translated into Spanish by an approved translator (if applicable).
As you might be feeling right now, this part of the process is usually the most overwhelming for applicants. But don’t let the complexity discourage you. Simply take it one document at a time. For more resources on your Spanish citizenship documentation requirements, check out our guide here.
How to Apply for Spanish Citizenship by Descent
Other than documentation, the application process for Spain citizenship by descent requires the following:
- Gather and prepare documents
- Schedule an appointment at your local Spanish Embassy or Consulate (if you live abroad) or your local Civil Registry Office (if you live in Spain)
- Bring the necessary documents to the appointment
We have an entire page dedicated to how to apply for Spanish citizenship.
Application Fees for Spain Citizenship by Descent
The application process costs €100 in fees.
Costs related to getting documents translated and apostilled will increase the overall cost.
Expertise and Support for Spanish Dual Citizenship by Descent
SDC (Spanish Dual Citizenship) brings our professional experience and expertise to your case, making your path to Spain dual citizenship by descent simple, stress-free, and certain.
We’ll help you out with a free consultation call to get you started on the right foot. One of our team members will go through the details of your situation, pointing you in the right direction for the best next steps. We can’t wait to hear from you!
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I get Spanish citizenship by last name?
No. Simply having a Spanish last name alone does not qualify you for Spanish citizenship—but it may be evidence of provable descent. If you can trace back your lineage to a parent or grandparent who was a Spanish citizen, you might be eligible.
Can you claim Spanish citizenship by descent?
Yes. In fact, along with the Spain Golden Visa, applying by descent is among the most popular ways to become a citizen.
How to get Spanish citizenship by descent?
You’ll need to apply for Spanish citizenship by descent just like you would for naturalization. But in this instance, you’ll provide legal evidence of your direct connection to a Spanish citizen. This eliminates the residency requirements of naturalization.
How long does it take to get Spanish citizenship through descent?
Expect the process to take anywhere from 3 months to 2 years.
Can I become a Spanish citizen if my great-grandparents were Spanish?
This route only applies to those with Spanish parents or grandparents.
How do I get Spanish citizenship through descent?
By gathering approved documentation proving your lineage and then officially applying. Submit your application with all supporting documents through a Spanish consulate or embassy.
Can you get Spanish citizenship through ancestry?
Yes, Spanish citizenship can be obtained through ancestry, but you must meet strict eligibility requirements, such as proving direct lineage to Spanish ancestors and demonstrating compliance with Spain’s nationality laws.
What is the new law for Spanish citizenship by descent?
The Democratic Memory Law (Ley de Memoria Democrática), enacted in October 2022, expands eligibility for Spanish citizenship to descendants of individuals exiled during the Spanish Civil War and Franco regime. This law allows grandchildren of Spanish exiles to apply for citizenship.
Can I get Spanish citizenship if my great-grandfather was Spanish?
Eligibility typically does not extend to great-grandparents.
Can I get a Spanish passport if my great-grandfather is Spanish?
To get a Spanish passport, you must first become a Spanish citizen. To become a citizen by descent, you’ll need to have a parent or grandparent who was a citizen of Spain.
Can you claim Spanish citizenship through ancestry?
Yes, Spanish citizenship can be claimed through ancestry if you meet the legal requirements, which generally include proving direct descent from Spanish parents or grandparents.
This page was last updated with help by Marco Permunian
Contact Us
There are many ways to qualify for Spanish citizenship by descent. Contact us at (213) 654-2122 to learn if you qualify.
