Spanish citizenship by descent is one of the fastest pathways to EU citizenship if your family has Spanish roots. Unlike residency-based routes that require years of commitment, descent-based citizenship can be obtained in months—sometimes even weeks.
Who Qualifies for Spanish Citizenship by Descent
Spanish citizenship by descent follows specific rules based on your connection to Spanish ancestors. Here's what qualifies:
- Direct descendants: Children of Spanish citizens can acquire citizenship
- Grandchildren: If your parent acquired Spanish citizenship at birth or later claimed it
- Adopted children: Legally adopted before age 18 by Spanish citizen parents
- Illegitimate children: If paternity/maternity is legally recognized
The key is proving an unbroken chain of Spanish citizenship. A single break in this chain can invalidate your claim.
The Critical Rule: Breaking the Chain
Spanish citizenship passes through bloodlines, but there's a crucial limitation:
**If your direct ancestor lost Spanish nationality before your parent was born, the chain is broken and you cannot claim citizenship by descent.**
This is where many claims fail. Common scenarios that break the chain:
- Your ancestor naturalized in another country before your parent's birth
- Your ancestor renounced Spanish citizenship
- Your ancestor lost citizenship through military service outside Spain
- Your ancestor was exiled or had citizenship revoked during Franco's regime (though some exceptions exist)
Direct Line Requirement
Spanish citizenship by descent only works through direct family lines:
- Valid: Spanish grandfather → your parent → you
- Valid: Spanish grandmother → your parent → you
- Invalid: Spanish uncle → your parent's sibling → you (lateral line doesn't work)
- Invalid: Spanish great-grandparent → your grandparent's sibling → you
The relationship must be direct parent-to-child descent, not through siblings or other relatives.
Documentation Required
Obtaining Spanish citizenship by descent requires extensive documentation of birth, marriage, divorce, and death certificates for all ancestors, naturalization records proving no breaks in the chain, and legal translations into Spanish.
All documents must be original or certified copies—simple photocopies won't be accepted.
Finding Your Spanish Roots
Before starting the citizenship process, you need to establish your family connection through genealogical research, locating civil registry records, and verifying the unbroken citizenship chain.
The Application Process
Spanish citizenship by descent applications are filed with the Spanish National Court (Audiencia Nacional) or through Spanish consulates. You can apply through your consulate (typically 6-18 months) or directly in Spain (typically 2-6 months faster).
Realistic Timeline and Costs
**Complete Timeline:** - Documentation gathering: 1-3 months - Consulate review: 1-2 months - Court processing: 3-12 months - Total: 6-18 months typical
**Cost Breakdown:** - Document acquisition: €200-500 - Translations: €300-800 - Application fees: €100-200 - Legal assistance: €2,000-5,000 - Total estimated: €2,680-6,650
Strategic Considerations
Spanish descent citizenship is accessible if you have Spanish ancestors and can prove an unbroken chain. It's significantly faster than residency routes and offers immediate EU citizenship. DNA testing alone is not sufficient—you need official documentation and court verification.
Bottom Line
Spanish citizenship by descent is one of the fastest pathways to EU citizenship, accessible in 6-18 months if you have Spanish roots and can document the genealogical chain properly. It's reclaiming your ancestral heritage while gaining full EU rights and freedom of movement.