Spanish Citizenship by Descent 2025: Complete Guide to Nacionalidad Española Through Parents or Grandparents

Spain follows the principle of jus sanguinis, or 'right of blood': you inherit citizenship from your Spanish parents or grandparents. You may apply for nacionalidad por opción if you are:

• A child of a Spanish citizen, even if born abroad.
• A grandchild of a Spaniard who lost their nationality before 1978 (often due to exile).
• A child born in Spain to stateless or non-transmitting parents (nacionalidad por simple presunción, Article 17.c).
• A child of a naturalized Spaniard, if you apply within 2 years of their acquisition.
• A minor or adult adoptee: citizenship is granted from the date of adoption under Article 19.

Legal framework: Articles 17-20 of the Spanish Civil Code↗ and Royal Decree-Law 20/2022↗.

• Literal Spanish birth certificate (ancestor).
• Long-form birth certificate of the applicant (apostilled and translated).
• Parent's birth/marriage certificates (if applying via grandparent).
• Certificate of Concordance (if names differ between documents).
• Criminal background checks (under 90 days old).
• Form EX-02 and proof of payment for tasa 790-026 (€104).
• Two passport-sized photos (32×26 mm).
• Proof of address for consulate applicants or Empadronamiento in Spain↗.

Option A – Spanish Consulate:

1. Book an appointment under “Nacionalidad por descendencia.”
2. Upload scanned documents within 24 hours.
3. Attend in person and bring originals and payment receipt.

Option B – Civil Registry in Spain:

1. Get Cl@ve digital ID↗.
2. File documents at your local registry. Track via Cómo va lo mío.

Option C – Mercurio Online System (Pilot):

1. Available in cities like Madrid and Seville.
2. Submit documents online using your digital certificate.
3. Follow up via Mercurio Portal↗.

To pay online, visit the Pago de Tasas portal↗:

• Select Código 026 → Ley 22/2009 → 'Nacionalidad por opción'.
• Download the PDF receipt with a QR code.
• Print it and bring it to your appointment (or scan it at the consulate). If applying from Spain, you can also print the filled document and pay at the nearest bank branch

• Processing Time: At Spanish consulates, most applications take 4–6 months to resolve. If you apply inside Spain, the process may take 12–18 months, depending on the Civil Registry workload.

• Video Oath (2025 Pilot): In select cities like Madrid and Barcelona, applicants can now swear the oath of allegiance via video call (Zoom or Microsoft Teams), instead of attending in person.

• DNI and Passport Appointment: After your approval and oath, you must:

  1. Book an appointment online via Cita Previa for DNI↗.
  2. Select the option for “Obtención del DNI por primera vez” (first-time DNI issuance).
  3. Bring your resolution of nationality, passport-sized photo, and your current foreign ID (NIE or passport).

You will receive both a DNI card and a Spanish biometric passport at the police station (comisaría) where your appointment is scheduled.

DNI Validity:

• 5 years if you’re under 30.
• 10 years if aged 30 to 69.
• Permanently valid if age 70+.

Spain permits dual nationality under Article 24 for applicants from:

• Latin American countries
• Portugal
• France (as of 2024)
• Andorra
• The Philippines
• Equatorial Guinea
• Sephardic Jews eligible under Law 12/2015

Others must technically sign a renunciation (many countries (like the U.S. or UK) don’t treat it as binding).

No. Applicants gaining Spanish nationality by descent, option, or adoption are exempt from the CCSE (culture) and DELE (language) exams.

Only applicants through residency need to pass them under Royal Decree 1004/2015.

Former Spanish citizens can recover their status under Article 26 of the Civil Code↗. Once regained, they may transmit it to:

• Children under 18
• Adult children (within two years of recovery)

You’ll use Form EX-08 instead of EX-02.

The special application period under the Ley de Memoria Democrática ends on 31 December 2027. All documents must be current (within 6 months). Make sure to start early.