Skip to content

Spanish citizenship by option

One of the ways of acquiring citizenship when there is a direct tie with a Spanish citizen, governed by article 20 of the Civil Code: for those who are or have been under the parental authority of a Spanish citizen, or whose parents were originally Spanish. It is a route designed to protect the family tie with Spain and the applicant's legal certainty.

  • Minors who are or have been under the parental authority of a Spanish citizen.
  • Adults or emancipated minors no older than 20 who meet the legal requirements.
  • Those whose father or mother was originally Spanish and born in Spain.
  • People whose parentage or birth in Spain is established after the age of 18, and those adopted by Spanish citizens as adults.
An adult woman and a young girl walk hand in hand along a sunlit path, warm light, out-of-focus foliage in the foreground on the left

  • A simpler and faster procedure than citizenship by residence.
  • The status of Spanish citizen with all its rights and obligations.
  • Passing Spanish citizenship on to minor descendants.

  1. Proof of the minor's or the applicant's parentage.
  2. Proof of the Spanish parent's nationality and that they already held it when the descendant was born.
  3. Proof of residence in the place where the application is filed.
  4. Identification of the applicant and, where applicable, of the legal guardians: residence card, passport and DNI.
  5. School certificate if the applicant is of compulsory school age.

It is filed at the Civil Registry of the habitual residence of the applicant or of their legal representative. It is best to prepare the documentation carefully, request an appointment and follow the case through to the decision.

Who starts the procedure

Anyone entitled to this citizenship. For minors, their legal representative acts, attending the Civil Registry of the habitual residence to request authorisation, with a prior report from the Public Prosecutor. An emancipated minor may opt until the age of 20; if under their national law they do not come of age at 18, they have two years from coming of age in their country of origin.

Time limit

It depends on the case; as a general rule, two years from coming of age if the applicant was under the parental authority of a Spanish citizen.

  1. Completed data declaration sheet for citizenship by option.
  2. Application form for citizenship by adoption.
  3. Birth certificates, legalised and translated where applicable.
  4. Documentation proving the relationship with the Spanish citizen.
  5. Identity documents of the legal representatives.
  6. The applicant's NIE or passport.
  7. Family municipal registration certificate.
  8. School certificate if the applicant is of compulsory school age.

Decision and follow-up

It is usually decided more quickly than other types of citizenship, depending on the workload of the relevant Civil Registry and of the Central Civil Registry. The status of the case can be checked through the Ministry of Justice's «¿Cómo va lo mío?» service with the NIE, the file reference number, the year of filing and, optionally, the order number.

Let’s discuss your case.

Tell us where you are and what you want to achieve. We will start by understanding which route makes sense for you.

Go to Contact