Grandchildren Law. Obtain Spanish citizenship.

The Democratic Memory Law is a law of limited duration. Originally set to expire in October 2024, it was extended until October 2025.

This regulation makes it easier to obtain Spanish nationality for those who are descendants of Spaniards.

It allows you to obtain nationality without the need to reside in Spain.

Why act quickly?

There are important reasons not to delay starting the process:

As we mentioned earlier, the deadline is October 2025.

Applications are handled in order of arrival (FIFO), with a number being given upon obtaining the appointment.

Processing times have increased considerably. What used to take between 6 months and a year can now take up to 3 years.

Obtaining a full birth certificate in Spain can take between 4 and 8 weeks, or even longer in some municipalities, depending on the congestion and number of applications in each locality.

The complete process includes multiple stages: searching for records (2-8 weeks), obtaining passwords (1-2 months), consular appointments (1-2 months) and analysis (1.5-2 years).

important requirements

Be the son or grandson of a native Spaniard and over 18 years of age.

Great-grandchildren can also apply, but only if the grandchild applies simultaneously. The grandchild must be alive for the great-grandchild to apply for citizenship.

If the grandchild is not alive, consulates have accepted post-mortem nationality applications, where great-grandchildren directly apply for nationality, omitting the grandchild's generation.

Minors cannot apply directly through this law. They must wait until their parent obtains citizenship.