Can I Claim Spanish Nationality?

[Art]

Update by Art in 2010

The rules for obtaining nationality or citizenship have changed. For many of us who are grandchildren of Spaniards, there is a much easier, faster method now (2009-2010), but that law expires on 12/27/2010 (IT HAS NOW BEEN EXTENDED TO 2011), so you'll have to act very quickly to take advantage of this opportunity. Collecting all of the papers will take time and effort.

See the posts starting in the middle of the third page for more information:
http://www.asturianus.org/forum/viewtop ... 8695#18695

Also, see the messages beginning here:
http://www.asturianus.org/forum/viewtop ... 7301#17301

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The question of whether I could claim or receive Spanish nationality has haunted me for some time. A relatively new Spanish law (LA LEY 36/2002, DE 8 DE OCTUBRE (B.O.E. 9-10-02) SOBRE NACIONALIDAD ESPAÑOLA, QUE ENTRARAN EN VIGOR EL 9 DE ENERO DE 2003) appears to have changed our situation. The site of the Spanish Embassy in Washingon has a link to information on nationalidad.

I will briefly list the main points, as I understand them.

1. Anyone whose father or mother was Spanish and born in Spain can choose Spanish nationality, without time or age limitations. In most cases, you will have to renounce your current nationality, unless you hold Latin American, Andorran, Philippino, Guinea Ecatorial, or Portuguese citizenship.

2. Anyone who has been Spanish originally can continue being Spanish or return to being a Spanish national. There may be time and age requirements which limit this right. There is no need to renunciate any other citizenship.


3. Someone born outside of Spain, of parents also born outside of Spain, will lose their Spanish nationality if they fail to file a declaration of conservation with the nearest Spanish Consulate during the three years after they reach the age of majority. Nonetheless, this only affects those who reach the age of majority after January 9, 2003.

4. One can also petition the Ministerio of Justice for Spanish nationality after completing legal residence in Spain for one year, if one has a grandfather or grandmother of Spanish origin. [This case probably fits many of the Americans in the forum. Of course, the problem would be how to achieve one year of legal Spanish residence.]

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This is a very brief overview. There are more criteria used to decide individual cases. Some of these can be viewed in this pdf file.

One of the issues the pdf covers is that Spanish nationality conveys through the father. Thus, having paternal grandparents who were Spanish is much better than maternal grandparents.

If your Spanish lineage is via your mother (and she has US citizenship), you may not be eligible. Your mother must have opted for Spanish citizenship while you (her child) were still a minor. And even then, you must apply within two years of reaching the age of majority.

BUT wait! There is another section of the pdf that says no matter what your age is, you can request Spanish citizenship if you had Spanish grandparents and you have had one year of legal residence in Spain.

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Actualización por Art en 2010

Las normas para obtener la nacionalidad o la ciudadanía han cambiado. Para muchos de nosotros que somos nietos de españoles, hay una camino mucho más fácil y más rápido ahora (2009-2010), pero esa ley expira el 12/27/2010 (AHORA SE HA SIDO PROLONGADO HASTA 2011), por lo que tenemos que actuar muy rápidamente para aprovechar de este oportunidad. Reuniendo todos los documentos llevará tiempo y esfuerzo.

Ve los mensajes desde en el medio de la tecera página para más información:
http://www.asturianus.org/forum/viewtop ... 8695#18695

También lee los mensajes que empiezan aquí:
http://www.asturianus.org/forum/viewtop ... 7301#17301

================

La pregunta de si yo podría reclamar o recibir la nacionalidad española me ha frecuentado durante algún tiempo. Una relativamente nueva ley española (LA LEY 36/2002, de 8 de OCTUBRE (B.O.E. 9-10-02) SOBRE NACIONALIDAD ESPAÑOLA, QUE ENTRARAN EN EL VIGOR 9 EL-de ENERO de 2003) aparecen haber cambiado nuestra situación. El sitio del la Embajada española en Washingon tiene un eslabón a la información sobre nationalidad.

Brevemente catalogaré los puntos principales, como los entiendo.

1. Alguien cuyo padre o madre eran el español y nació en España puede escoger la nacionalidad española, sin el tiempo o envejecer limitaciones. En la mayor parte de casos, usted tendrá que renunciar su nacionalidad corriente, a no ser que usted sostenga al latinoamericano, Philippino andorrano, Guinea Ecatorial, o la ciudadanía portuguesa.

2. Alguien que ha sido el español al principio puede seguir ser el español o volver a ser un español nacional. Puede haber tiempo y envejecer las exigencias que limitan este derecho. No hay ninguna necesidad a la nueva nunciatura cualquier otra ciudadanía.

3. Alguien nació fuera de España, de padres también nacen fuera de España, perderá su nacionalidad española si ellos fallan en presentar una declaración de conservación con el Consulado español más cercano durante los tres años después de que ellos alcanzan la edad de mayoría. Sin embargo, este único afecta los que alcanzan la edad de mayoría después del 9 de enero de 2003.

4. También puede presentar una solicitud sobre el Ministerio de Justicia para la nacionalidad española después del completar la residencia legal en España durante un año, si tiene un abuelo o la abuela de origen español. [Este caso probablemente encaja a muchos de los Americanos en el foro. Desde luego, el problema sería como alcanzar un año de residencia legal española.]

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Esto es una muy breve descripción. Hay más criterios utilizados en decidir casos individuales. Algunos de estos pueden ser vistos en este pdf el archivo.

Una de las cuestiones tratado por el pdf es que la nacionalidad española transporta por el padre. Así, tener los abuelos paternales que eran españoles es mucho mejor que abuelos maternales.

Si su linaje español es vía su madre (y ella tiene la ciudadanía estadounidense), es possible que no estas eligible. Su madre debe haber optado por la ciudadanía española mientras usted (su niño) era todavía un menor. Y hasta entonces, usted debe aplicarse dos años antes de alcanzar la edad de mayoría.

¡PERO espere! Hay otra sección del pdf que dice que de cualquiera edad, usted puede solicitar la ciudadanía española si usted tuviera abuelos españoles y usted ha tenido un año de residencia legal en España.

[anton]

That is a very good sum-up. I am a law student at Uviéu/Oviedo University, if you need any further information I will more be than happy to help you. Please notice that Spanish nationality also implies becoming an European Union citizen, which has the obvious advantages of being able to work and get social securiy coverage in all EU countries without having to apply for special permits, just as the nationals of the country you are interested in, and you can also take active part in local and European elections.

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trans. Art

Es un sumario muy buena. Soy un estudiante de la ley en la Universidad Uviéu/Oviedo, si necesita alguna otra información estoy feliz ayudarle. Por favor note que la nacionalidad española también implica la acción de hacerse un ciudadano de la Unión Europeo, que tiene las ventajas obvias de ser capaz de trabajar y conseguir la cobertura social securiy en todos los países de Unión Europea sin necesidad solicitar permisos especiales, tal como los nacionalistas del país está interesado en, y también puede tomar la parte activa en elecciones locales y europeas.

[David S.]

Hello Art,
I just recently read your post re: the new Spanish law, and your own questions about citizenship.

Did you ever learn more about it? I'm in a relatively similar situation, whereby my mother is Spanish (born and raised in Cordoba), and my father is American. I'm 26 years old now, and would like to live in Spain, and become a Spanish citizen. However, I'm married to an American woman, and because I may someday want to return to the U.S. to live, don't want to renounce my American citizenship.

My sister is a dual citizen, but did it when she was 18.

Do you know of anyone in a similar situation, or of someone I could talk with.

Thanks for the great site.

David

[Bob]

Hi David,

As I understand it, your primary problem is in obtaining Spanish citizenship, not retaining American citizenship. I have a US born friend who has dual Irish and American citizenship simply by applying for Irish citizenship on the basis of his father's place of birth. The dual citizenship that was granted to Americans who became Israeli citizens apparently set a precedent.

In the current xenophobic climatein this country, however, I suspect that you would be well advised to formally notify the state department in writing that you do not renounce your American citizenship. In any event, I think you should talk with an attorney who is well versed in such matters and follow his or her advice.

Bob Martinez

[Art]

Hi, David,

I've gotten a lot of info on obtaining Spanish citizenship on the web, but don't see any bookmarks for those sites on my computer. Did you check those links in the thread (above)? They were very helpful.

I agree with Bob that this is the kind of issue in which you'd probably want to involve a good lawyer.

I do remember reading that the laws have changed. The age of the applicant at the time of applying does determine some of the options. I got the sense, though, that there are usually several options, which is why a lawyer with experience in this would be very helpful.

Does anyone know a good immigration lawyer?

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Hola, David,

He recibido mucha información sobre la ciudadanía española sobre el web, pero no veo ningún marcador de libros para aquellos sitios sobre mi ordenador. ¿Comprobaste aquellos eslabones en el hilo (arriba)? Eran muy provechosos.

Estoy de acuerdo con Bob que esto es la clase de cuestión en la cual probablemente querrías implicar a un abogado bueno.

Realmente me recuerdo leer que las leyes se han cambiado. La edad del aplicante en el momento de aplicarse determina algunas de las opciones. Me parecí que hay por lo general varias opciones. Y, por eso, que consultar con un abogado con experiencia en esas cosas sería muy provechoso.

¿Conoce alguien a un abogado de inmigración bueno?

[Terechu]

Art, there's a pretty good explanation at the following site:

http://www.mae.es/documento/0/000/000/5 ... alidad.htm

Article 4 reads:
4º.- Podrán solicitar del Ministerio de Justicia la nacionalidad española por residencia legal en España de un año, las personas que tengan un abuelo o abuela que hubiera sido español de origen.

Having a Spanish grandfather or grandmother will allow you to get an entry visa of one year, and after having lived one year in Spain you can apply for your citizenship at the Ministry of Justice. At all events, the moment you have a valid visa, you are already eligible for free medical care, schooling for the children, etc., but you cannot vote until you have Spanish citizenship.

Cheers

[Terechu]

Hi again,
I found this link of the Ministry of Justice where you can read the "last word" on who's eligible for citizenship and how long they have to be residents before they can apply. Among those who can apply after one year are:

El nacido fuera de España de padre o madre, abuelo o abuela, que originariamente hubieran sido españoles.

(Those born outside Spain of a Spanish father or mother, grandfather or grandmother, who were Spaniards of origin).

link at mjusticia.gob.es

[Art]

Thanks, Terechu, that's very helpful! That looks very hopeful for David's case.

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¡Gracias, Terechu, eres muy amable! Parece que David tenga buena razón tener esperanzas.

[Terechu]

According to the current treaties, once you become a Spanish citizen you can only retain dual citizenship if you are a national of the following countries:

Colombia
Argentina
Perú
Ecuador
Chile
Bolivia
República Dominicana
Honduras
Costa Rica
Guatemala
Nicaragua
Paraguay
Además, el artículo 24.2 del Código Civil señala expresamente que no perderán la nacionalidad española, a no ser que renuncien a ella, quiénes adquieran la nacionalidad de países iberoamericanos, Andorra, Filipinas, Guinea Ecuatorial o Portugal. Es decir, quiénes adquieran la nacionalidad de uno de estos Estados y no renuncien a la nacionalidad española pasarán a gozar de doble nacionalidad

However, I know people who have retained their US citizenship by renewing their American passports at their Consulate or Embassy before it expires. Usually nobody asks questions, because nobody wants to lose citizens.

By the way, citizens of Latin American countries, Andorra, Philippines, Aequatorial Guinea, Portugal and Sephardic countries (Israel) can apply for Spanish citizenship after only 2 years of residence in Spain.

[joserouse]

Hi Folks,

My Grandmother was a Spanish citizen, born in the Philippines to Austurian parents, who lost her citizenship when she married by Irish(black) American Grandfather. Can my mother apply for Spanish citizenship?

[Terechu]

Hi there, José and welcome to the forum!
Both your mother and you are eligible for citizenship, for being the daughter and grandson, respectively, of a Spanish citizen.
However, since your grandmother was not born in Spain, you're not eligible for "Nationality by option", which would allow you to become a Spanish citizen and continue living in your country.
You and your mother are entitled to "Nationality by residence", after living one year in Spain (residence permit for that first year is issued at any Spanish Consulate General without any problem).

See legal text below:
link at mjusticia.gob.es

Cheers

[Art]

Terechu, that seems much more liberal than I remember. I know we were talking about proposed changes a year or so back. Has the laws changed recently?

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Terechu, esto me parece mucho más generoso que recuerdo. Sé que estabamos chalando de algunos cambios propuestos hace un año más o menos. ¿Han cambiado los leyes recientemente?

[joserafael]

Hola!

New to the site. Great site!

My question pertains to claiming Spanish nationality.

I was born in New York City. My parents are Americans, Puerto Rican born. My paternal grandparents and maternal grandfather were both born in Puerto Rico prior to 1898 when Puerto Rico was transferred from Spain to the US as a protectorate. My question pertains to my eligibility to claim Spanish nationality under the one year residency rule. As Puerto Rico is not a Latin American country, I don't believe I would qualify under the two year rule. The issue revolves around the Spanish citizenship status of Puerto Ricans in 1898. Would anyone have guidance?

Mil gracias.

[Bob]

Probably the quickest way to get an answer to your very interesting question would be to contact the Spanish Consulate in New York, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, San Francisco, or San Juan, whichever is geographically closest to you. The one in New York is at

150 E 58th St # 30
New York, NY 10155
(212) 355-4090

You can find a complete list of contact information at http://www.mae.es/Embajadas/Washington/ ... onsulares/

You can find the full text of the law at http://www.maec.es/NR/rdonlyres/B67758C ... adpdf1.pdf

[joserafael]

Bob,

Thank you kindly for your prompt and helpful response. I did further research which may be of interest to other Puerto Ricans. Under the Constitution of 1876, the benefits of which were extended to Puerto Ricans in 1881, Puerto Ricans in the late 1800's enjoyed full status as citizens of Spain. Thus, Puerto Ricans who can document the birth of their grandparents as being between 1881 and 1898 should be able to meet the requirements as noted in the Ley 36/2002, Art. 22, para. 2f.