Spain Spanish nationality by descent and option

Children of a Spanish mother or father are Spanish by origin wherever they are born. People whose mother or father was originally Spanish and born in Spain, but who did not acquire nationality at birth, may opt for Spanish nationality at any age by declaration before the Civil Registry or consulate. ^{1 2}

Requirements

• You are Spanish by origin if your father or mother was Spanish when you were born. ¹
• You may opt for Spanish nationality if your father or mother was originally Spanish and was born in Spain; this option has no age limit. ^{1 2}
• People who are or were under the parental authority of a Spaniard may also opt, normally before age 20. ^{1 2}
• The option declaration is made at the Civil Registry for your domicile or at the consulate; minors under 14 act through their legal representative. ^{1 2}

Stay

• Citizenship is permanent once acquired; it is not a time-limited permit.

Nationality

Open to children of Spanish nationals and to people whose parent was originally Spanish and born in Spain; grandchildren are not covered outside the closed Democratic Memory Law window.

Work

A Spanish national may live and work in Spain and, as an EU citizen, across the EU and EEA.

Family

Children of a person who acquires Spanish nationality can opt while under parental authority.

Checked 2026-10-11

Official sources

1. Código Civil, artículos 17 y 20 (nacionalidad de origen y derecho de opción) · Boletín Oficial del Estado · checked 2026-10-11
2. Adquisición de la nacionalidad española por opción · Ministerio de la Presidencia, Justicia y Relaciones con las Cortes · checked 2026-10-11