Here we discuss, how can the non-european child of a Spanish citizen obtain Spanish Citizenship?
If you are a Spanish citizen and your child, who was not born in the European Union, there are still several legal pathways for them to obtain Spanish citizenship. The process depends on factors such as the child’s place of birth, the parents’ legal status, and the length of residence in Spain.
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How can the non-european child of a spanish citizen obtain spanish citizenship:
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- Citizenship by origin »
- Citizenship by option »
- Citizenship by residence (After 1 Year) »
- Citizenship by birth in Spain »
- Family reunification as a first step »
- Important restrictions »
- Summary of options by situation »
- Other types of residency available in Spain »
- Schedule an appointment with a solicitor »
1) Citizenship by Origin:
The child must be born to a Spanish parent (regardless of their place of birth).
If the Spanish parent was born abroad, the child must register at the consular Civil Registry before turning 21 to retain their right. documentation.
This process does not require prior residence in Spain.
2) Citizenship by option:
The child is under 18 years old and one of their parents acquired Spanish nationality after the child’s birth.
Also applicable in cases of adoption by a Spanish citizen.
3) Citizenship by residence (After 1 Year):
The child must have legally resided in Spain for at least 12 months and be the child of a Spanish citizen.
This residence must be legal (with a residence permit) and continuous.
4) Citizenship by birth in spain:
- The child was born in Spain and is the child of stateless parents or parents whose country does not grant nationality to children born abroad.
- Alternatively, at least one of the parents was born in Spain (Spanish grandparents).
5) Family reunification as a first step:
If the child does not yet reside in Spain, the Spanish parent can apply for family reunification.
The child must be under 18 years old (or older if financially dependent on the parent).
Once reunified, the child can obtain legal residence and, after 12 months of continuous residency, apply for citizenship.
6) Important restrictions:
- Dual Citizenship:
Spain allows dual citizenship with Ibero-American countries, Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea, and Portugal. For other countries, the child may need to renounce their previous nationality. - Democratic Memory Law:
If the Spanish parent is a descendant of exiles (from the Civil War or Francoist dictatorship), the child may qualify for citizenship under this law. **Deadline: October 21, 2025**. - Application Process:
The application must be submitted at the **Civil Registry** or the corresponding Spanish consulate.
Requires translated and apostilled documentation. - Processing Time:
There are no fixed legal deadlines, but it may take several months.
Working for Spanish companies is prohibited (employees).
7) Summary of options by situation:
| CHILD’S SITUATION | RECOMMENDED PATHWAY | REQUIRED RESIDENCY PERIOD PRIOR TO CITIZENSHIP |
| Born outside Spain | Citizenship by origin | None required |
| <18 with Spanish parent | Citizenship by option | None required |
| Legal resident in Spain | Citizenship by residence | 1 year |
| Born in Spain | Facilitated naturalization | 1 year |
8) Other types of residency available in spain:
- Digital-Nomad visa Spain (Remote worker in Spain)
- Non-Lucrative Visa Spain (Spanish visa non lucrative)
- Student-Visa Permit (Student-Visa & up-to 30 hours work per week)
- Self-Employed Visa Spain (Self employed expats in Spain)
- Visa-Categories in Spain (Arraigo, Special Cases, etc.)
Immigration procedures and immigration regulations change regularly, and it is crucial to stay updated with the most recent information from a reliable source. If you have any questions or concerns about your situation, we advise to consult an immigration authority or legal professional who specializes in immigration matters.
We offer Spanish Residence Services and can assist you with most Spanish legal processes.
Permanent residency is permitted after 5 years of Temporary Spanish Residency through Digital-Nomad, Non-Lucrative, Student-Visa or Self-Employed. This followed by 5 years of permanent residency in Spain and permits Spanish Citizenship applications to obtain a Spanish Passport.
