Spanish citizenship by option
Option is available only in specific statutory cases, including people who are or have been subject to the parental authority of a Spanish citizen and other cases under article 20 of the Civil Code.
Who may qualify
- People who are or have been subject to the parental authority of a Spanish citizen.
- People whose father or mother was originally Spanish and born in Spain.
- Other cases expressly covered by articles 17, 19 and 20 of the Civil Code.
Main requirements
- A valid statutory ground for option.
- Compliance with any applicable deadline.
- Correct identification of who makes the declaration and whether representation is required.
Documents
- Applicant’s birth certificate.
- Spanish documentation of the family member from whom the right derives.
- Documents proving parentage, adoption or parental authority.
- Other Civil Registry documents required for the specific ground.
How the procedure works
- Identify the specific article 20 ground.
- Check deadline and documents.
- Make the declaration before the competent Civil Registry or consular authority.
- Register acquisition once the requirements are fulfilled.
Routes to Spanish citizenship
Spanish citizenship by residence
Acquisition of Spanish nationality after completing the legally required residence period.
ReadSpanish nationality by origin
Cases in which a person is Spanish by origin under the Civil Code.
ReadSpanish citizenship by carta de naturaleza
Exceptional and discretionary grant of Spanish nationality by the Government.
ReadSpanish nationality by possession of status
Consolidation of nationality after continuously using Spanish status in good faith.
ReadSpanish nationality by simple presumption
Civil Registry procedure for certain children born in Spain where the parents’ laws do not attribute a nationality.
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