Spanish Citizenship by ancestry eligibility test

WHAT IS CITIZENSHIP BY ANCESTRY (“CBA”) IN SPAIN?

Spanish CBA is a method by which a person secures Spanish citizenship from his/her Spanish ancestor

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF OBTAINING SPANISH CBA?

Becoming a Spanish citizen not only allows one to live, work, and study in Spain and across all EU member states without getting a visa, it also grants access to a Spanish passport, which is the world's second most powerful passport in terms of travel freedom in 2023. Holders of a Spanish passport enjoy visa-free or visa-on arrival access to 175 destinations around the world, and in times of emergency, they are entitled to call for help from the Spanish government or the embassy of any other EU member state.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO APPLY FOR SPANISH CBA?

An applicant is eligible to apply for the Spanish CBA if their: Option 1: Parent was Spanish and born in Spain Option 2: Parent was Spanish by origin but born outside of Spain, and the applicant had at least one year of residency in Spain Option 3: Grandparent was Spanish by origin, regardless of the place of birth, and the applicant had at least one year of residency in Spain

IS THERE A VISA FOR APPLICANT WHO IS ELIGIBLE IF THEY WANT TO RESIDE IN SPAIN?

Yes, an applicant may apply for a Job Search Visa. This allows applicants to enter and stay in Spain for 1 year for job searching. Once a job offer is obtained, the applicant may request residence and work authorization without returning to their country. Kindly note that this visa is exclusively available to descendants who qualify under options 2 and 3 above. If an applicant does not secure a job offer during their one-year stay in Spain and returns to their home country, the applicant will still be eligible to apply for the Spanish CBA.

HOW DOES THE APPLICATION PROCESS LOOK LIKE?

The process of claiming Spanish citizenship and passport through ancestry typically starts with gathering the necessary documentation to establish the applicant’s link with a Spanish ancestor. If the applicant does not have sufficient documentation proving his connection with the Spanish ancestor, it may be necessary to search the relevant records prior to preparing the citizenship application. Once all required documentation is available, the Spanish CBA application must be carefully reviewed and prepared to ensure that it meets the submission standards required by the Spanish authority. Applicants residing outside of Spain may then schedule an appointment to submit their applications to the Spanish consulate in their country of residence. If all requirements are met, a positive decision would be granted and successful applicants may then apply for the Spanish passport and enjoy all rights and freedoms typically conferred on EU citizens.

WHAT IS THE USUAL PROCESSING TIME?

On average, the Spanish authority takes about 1-2 years to process Spanish CBA applications, but the processing time could vary depending on the complexity of the applicant’s case, the overall presentation of the file, and the processing capacity of the Spanish authority. A longer processing time is possible if the application submitted is incomplete or the documentation provided is improperly translated, legalized, or apostilled. Therefore, it is important to work with a qualified legal professional to ensure that the application package prepared is complete and meets the submission standards required by the Spanish authority.

DO I NEED TO VISIT OR RESIDE IN SPAIN AS PART OF THE APPLICATION PROCESS?

If your ancestor is a parent who was born in Spain (Option 1), you are not required to visit or reside in Spain as part of the application process. Applicants residing outside of Spain may submit their Spanish CBA application at their nearest Spanish consulate. If you are applying through Option 2 or 3, you must reside in Spain for a period of one year prior to submitting your application.

DO I NEED TO PROVIDE PROOF OF KNOWLEDGE OF THE SPANISH LANGUAGE, HITSORY OR CULTURE DURING THE APPLICATION PROCESS?

Applicants applying through Option 1 are not required to provide proof of knowledge of the Spanish language, history, or culture. For Options 2 and 3, applicants must pass a Spanish language exam and a test on Spanish culture before submitting the application