An IMGW News Report
Spain has outlined a list of surnames linked to eligibility for nationality under the so-called Grandchildren Law, a provision within the Democratic Memory Law aimed at facilitating citizenship for descendants of Spanish emigrants. However, merely having one of these surnames does not guarantee eligibility—applicants must meet additional criteria.
The path to Spanish nationality has become increasingly stringent. In 2024 alone, Spain’s Ministry of Justice rejected a record 20,099 citizenship applications—more than double the 7,399 rejections in 2023—amid a surge in interest.
Routes to Spanish Citizenship
Spanish nationality may be acquired through various pathways, including residency, marriage, and demonstrating Sephardic Jewish heritage. The Grandchildren Law provides another route, allowing individuals with Spanish ancestry to claim citizenship under specific conditions.
According to a report by El Universo, the Spanish government has published a list of surnames commonly associated with eligibility under this law. Some of these include:
Acevedo, Aguilar, Alonso, Cabrera, Domínguez, Fernández, García, López, Marín, Navarro, Pérez, Ramírez, Rodríguez, Sánchez, and Vargas.
While such surnames may suggest eligibility, applicants must provide documented proof of direct lineage to a Spanish-born ancestor.
Applying Under the Democratic Memory Law
According to Spain’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union, and Cooperation, nationality may be granted under the following conditions:
- Individuals born outside Spain to a parent or grandparent who was originally Spanish by birth.
- Those whose Spanish ancestors lost their nationality due to political, religious, ideological, or identity-based persecution.
- Children born abroad to mothers who lost their Spanish nationality upon marrying foreign nationals.
Deadline Extended to 2025
Since its introduction in October 2022, the Grandchildren Law has generated over 226,000 applications. In response, the Spanish government has extended the application deadline to October 2025, as published in the Official State Gazette on 11 November 2024.
