Grandchildren Act (“Ley Nietos”): The key to claim your Spanish Citizenship from United States

To understand why this law exists, it’s important to look at a bit of history.

During the Spanish Civil War (1936–1939) and the subsequent Franco dictatorship, thousands of Spaniards went into exile for political, ideological, or safety reasons.

Many of them emigrated to the American continent, especially to countries such as the United States, Argentina, Mexico, and Cuba.

This exile had lasting consequences on their civil rights, including the loss of Spanish nationality.

For descendants of Spaniards in the U.S., Spanish citizenship means much more than just a document.

It represents access to a passport that opens the doors to the entire European Union and the European Economic Area.

This includes visa-free travel, the legal right to live in any of its countries, and the ability to work or study under the same conditions as European citizens.

Moreover, since the nationality is recovered “by origin,” the process does not require formally renouncing U.S. citizenship in order to obtain Spanish nationality.

Another important advantage is access to Spain’s public healthcare system and social services.

For those who value their roots and wish to keep their family history alive, this citizenship is an invaluable treasure.

“Ley de Nietos” is aimed at those who have a direct connection to Spaniards by origin who lost—or were unable to pass on—their nationality due to special circumstances.

It is primarily available to:

Each case has specific details that must be evaluated to confirm eligibility and prepare the appropriate documentation.

To submit the application, it is essential to have the correct documentation.

The basic documents include:

• Literal (full) birth certificates of the applicant and their Spanish ancestors.
• Documents proving the Spanish nationality of the grandparent (e.g., family book, Spanish birth certificate).
• Proof of loss of nationality, if applicable (documents showing when and why Spanish nationality was lost).
• Criminal background checks from both the U.S. and Spain.

Additionally, all documents that are in English must be accompanied by a sworn translation into Spanish.

The official process begins at the Spanish Consulate General in the U.S. that corresponds to your place of legal residence.

1. Gather all the required documentation and make sure your case fits within the legal criteria (as outlined above).
2. Schedule an appointment at the consulate; due to high demand, wait times may be quite long.
3. At the appointment, submit all original documents along with copies, complete the official application form, and pay the administrative fee.
4. The consulate will then forward your file to the Central Civil Registry in Spain for evaluation and resolution.
5. The process can take between 6 and 18 months, depending on the complexity and administrative workload.

During this time, you may be asked to provide additional documents or clarify information.

Having legal advice can help avoid delays and mistakes at every stage.

The process can be straightforward, but details make the difference.

• Make sure that birth certificates are literal copies and up to date.
• Don’t forget to include sworn translations for all documents in another language.
• Ensure that the criminal record certificate is still valid.
• Keep copies and get confirmation for each procedure completed.
• Seek professional help to review your application before submitting it.

With these tips, you’ll avoid having your application returned or rejected due to formal errors.

To show how “Ley de Nietos” works, we’re sharing a few examples that reflect common experiences.

Ana Martínez, from California, is the granddaughter of a Spaniard who emigrated to New York in the 1940s.

Her grandfather lost his Spanish nationality when he became a U.S. citizen.

Thanks to “Ley de Nietos”, Ana was able to prove her family connection, submit her application correctly, and today she is a Spanish and European citizen.

Now Ana enjoys studying in Madrid and traveling freely throughout Europe without complications.

Another example is José, in Texas, who never imagined he could recover the nationality of his Spanish ancestors. After receiving guidance from Klev&Vera, the process was quick and hassle-free.

These stories show that, with the right support, you can achieve it too.

Note: The names are fictional examples created to illustrate real cases handled by Klev & Vera, which cannot be disclosed for confidentiality reasons.

The deadline to submit nationality applications under “Ley de Nietos” ends on October 21, 2025.

It is possible that the Spanish government may extend this deadline, allowing additional time to begin the nationality process and submit the remaining documentation at a later date. As of today, no extension has been confirmed.

However, individuals who request an appointment through the authorized online systems within the validity period of the Law may submit the documentation at a later date, provided they retain the receipt in their name that proves the appointment was requested within the established deadline.

This update was formally published in the Instruction of November 5, 2024, published in the Official State Journal (BOE) No. 272, dated November 11, 2024.

Don’t put off until tomorrow what you can start today. There’s still time to reclaim your Spanish nationality.

Starting the process early is key to ensuring you don’t miss the deadline and to making the most of all the benefits this law offers.

Having Spanish nationality opens many doors.

Travel throughout Europe without a visa, study with reduced tuition fees, access public healthcare, and work legally in any European Union country.

Additionally, the possibility of not having to renounce U.S. nationality allows you to keep your rights in both countries without giving anything up.

And it’s not just for you — you can also pass this nationality by descent on to your children.

Applying for Spanish nationality under “Ley de Nietos” may seem complex, but you don’t have to do it alone.

At Klev&Vera, we have a team of expert lawyers in Spanish nationality for U.S. citizens who will guide you through every stage of the process.

We offer personalized advice, thorough document review, assistance securing an appointment at the consulate, and continuous follow-up on your application until it is resolved.

Our experience ensures the process is fast, secure, and free of unexpected issues.

Don’t miss this opportunity. If you want to know whether you meet the requirements or need help preparing your application, we’re here to answer your questions and support you every step of the way.

You can write to us, call us, or leave your details in the form at the bottom of this page.

You can also reach out through our contact page.

And if you’d like more information on our website about how we can assist you with this type of matter: Spanish nationality by descent.

At Klev&Vera, we help you reclaim your Spanish nationality.