Spanish citizenship under the “Ley de Memoria Democratica” (Grandchildren Law): the application period ended on 21st October 2025

Important: the application period described in this article has now closed. We keep this article for reference. For information on what may still be possible, read Missed the Ley de Memoria Democrática deadline? Any option depends on individual circumstances and may not be available to everyone.

Are you the child or grandchild of a Spanish national? If so, you could be eligible to apply for Spanish nationality without the need to live in Spain or pass any test. However, keep in mind that the clock is fast ticking since, as from today, there are only 8 months’ left to submit your application!

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to secure your Spanish nationality before the deadline arrives!

The Ley de Memoria Democrática, popularly known as the “Spanish Grandchildren” or “Spanish Ancestors” law, provides for the children and grandchildren of originally Spanish nationals to apply for Spanish nationality. It came into force on 21st October 2022 and initially available only for 2 years (i.e. until 21st October 2024).

However, the Spanish Government announced its extension for an additional year, warning however that it will not be extended again. This means that those entitled to apply for Spanish nationality under the Spanish Grandchildren, had until the 21st October 2025 to apply for Spanish nationality under this law.

The process involves making an application before the Spanish Consulate corresponding to the applicant’s place of residence but only if submitted by the 21st of October 2025, when the window period provided by the Spanish Grandchildren law lapsed and the right to apply ended.

Therefore, it is essential to file applications before the deadline to benefit from this once in a lifetime opportunity to acquire Spanish nationality without residing in Spain and without renouncing to the nationality that the applicant currently holds.

Who is eligible to apply for Spanish nationality under the grandchildren law?

1. Children & grandchildren of a Spanish mother, father or grandparent considered, under Spanish law, originally Spanish.
2. The children of Spaniards whose nationality of origin was recognised by virtue of the right of option in accordance with the Historical Memory Law (Seventh Additional Provision of Law 52/2007 of December 26) or of the present Democratic Memory Law.
3. Spaniards born outside of Spain to Spanish women who lost their Spanish nationality by marrying a foreign citizen before the entry into force of the Spanish Constitution of 1978.

SCORNIK GERSTEIN LLP has successfully assisted many Spanish descendants in their process to reclaim their Spanish nationality under this law. If you would like us to assess - without compromise - your circumstances to confirm whether you can apply, please contact us at your earliest convenience.

We strongly recommend acting as soon as possible since, gathering all the documentation required in accordance with the Grandchildren law, can prove a complex and time-consuming exercise, ending up with the missing of the imposed deadline.