Our Member Scornik Gerstein LLP has written a post for the Chamber’s blog which discusses the Spanish Grandchildren Law, formally known as the Ley de Memoria Democrática. This law allows children and grandchildren of original Spanish nationals to apply for Spanish citizenship without residing in Spain or taking an exam. The post outlines the eligibility criteria for applicants, the application process, and the approaching deadline for submissions.
Blog post written by Scornik Gerstein LLP, Member of the Chamber
How to apply for Spanish citizenship under the “Grandchildren Law”: deadline extended until October 2025
Are you the child or grandchild of a Spanish national? If so, you may be eligible to apply for Spanish nationality without needing to reside in Spain or pass any exam. However, please take into account that there is a new upcoming application deadline.
The Ley de Memoria Democrática, widely known as the Spanish Grandchildren Law, enables children and grandchildren of original Spanish nationals to apply for Spanish nationality. This law came into effect on 21 October 2022, with an initial period of two years for applications.
Recently, the Spanish Government extended the deadline by an additional year, but they have stated explicitly that no further extensions will be granted. This means that those eligible under the law now have until 21 October 2025 to submit their applications.
Applications must be submitted to the Spanish Consulate corresponding to the applicant’s place of residence, and they must be received no later than 21 October 2025, when the application window will close, and this opportunity will no longer be available.
It is essential to apply before the deadline to take advantage of this legal process for acquiring Spanish nationality without the need to reside in Spain or renounce your current nationality
Who is eligible to apply for Spanish Nationality under the Grandchildren Law?
- Children and grandchildren of a Spanish mother, father, or grandparent who are considered, under Spanish law, to be originally Spanish.
- Sons and daughters of Spanish nationals whose nationality of origin was recognised through the right of option under the Historical Memory Law (Seventh Additional Provision of Law 52/2007, dated 26 December) or under the current Democratic Memory Law.
- Individuals born outside Spain to Spanish mothers who lost their Spanish nationality by marrying a foreign citizen before the 1978 Spanish Constitution came into effect.
Chamber Member Scornik Gerstein LLP has successfully assisted many descendants of Spanish nationals in reclaiming their Spanish nationality under this law. If you would like to assess your eligibility, please contact our Member at your earliest convenience through the Member Directory on our website.
Our Member strongly recommends acting as soon as possible, as gathering the required documentation in accordance with the Grandchildren Law can be a complex and time-consuming process.