Dual Nationality in Spain: Rules, Countries and Renunciation

Last updated: 5 October 2026.

Dual nationality in Spain means being a citizen of Spain and another country at the same time. Whether you can keep both depends on Spanish law, the other country’s law and how you acquire citizenship.

Spain exempts certain applicants from declaring that they renounce their previous nationality. Other applicants generally have to make that declaration. However, a declaration required by Spain and the actual loss of citizenship under another country’s law are separate questions.

This guide explains the country exceptions, the position of British and American applicants, and the rules for keeping Spanish nationality once you have it.

Does Spain allow dual nationality?

Yes, in specific circumstances. There is no separate application that automatically grants “dual nationality”: you must first qualify for Spanish citizenship through an available legal route.

Adult applicants acquiring citizenship by residence, ordinary option or discretionary naturalisation (carta de naturaleza) generally have to declare that they renounce their previous nationality, unless an exemption applies.

The exemptions come from the Civil Code and, in France’s case, a nationality treaty. They do not all depend on Spain having a separate bilateral agreement with each country.

Who is exempt from Spain’s renunciation declaration?

The Ministry of Justice includes Puerto Rico within the Ibero-American category for this purpose. It excludes Haiti, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, and Guyana.

This table concerns Spain’s renunciation requirement. You must also check whether the other country allows you to retain its nationality when acquiring Spanish citizenship.

The special position of French citizens

The Spain–France treaty allows French citizens to acquire Spanish nationality while retaining French nationality, provided they meet the applicable acquisition requirements.

It does not grant Spanish citizenship automatically or create a shorter residence period. A French applicant relying on residence generally needs ten years, unless another legally recognised reduction applies.

Can British or American citizens keep their nationality?

The United Kingdom permits dual citizenship. The United States also allows its citizens to acquire another nationalitywithout requiring them to choose between the two.

However, British or American citizenship alone does not create an exemption from Spain’s renunciation declaration. For an ordinary nationality-by-residence application, the Spanish requirement still applies unless you qualify for an exemption.

Two separate issues need checking:

• What Spain requires: whether you must make a renunciation declaration when completing your acquisition of Spanish nationality.
• What your other country requires: whether that declaration, foreign naturalisation or another act causes you to lose its citizenship.

For example, the UK has its own application and acceptance procedure for renouncing British citizenship. Do not assume that a declaration made before a Spanish authority completes that British procedure.

Equally, do not treat Spain’s declaration as meaningless. Spanish law has rules about the subsequent exclusive use of a nationality you declared you were renouncing.

Before completing the process, confirm the consequences with the relevant authorities or a lawyer who can assess both countries’ rules.

Which route to Spanish citizenship applies to you?

Your eligibility for citizenship and your exemption from renunciation are different matters. Qualifying for one does not automatically establish the other. The Spanish government’s acquisition guide explains the principal routes.

Nationality by residence

The general qualifying period is ten years of legal, continuous residence immediately before the application.

Shorter periods include:

• Five years for people with recognised refugee status.
• Two years for nationals of origin of the eligible Ibero-American countries, Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea and Portugal, and for people of Sephardic origin.
• One year in specified circumstances, including qualifying spouses and certain descendants of Spaniards.

Meeting the residence period is only part of the application. Good civic conduct, integration and the remaining procedural requirements must also be satisfied.

If you are still planning your move, our guide to residence and work permits in Spain explains the underlying residence options.

Citizenship through a Spanish parent or by option

A person born to a Spanish mother or father is generally Spanish by origin. Civil Registry documentation is needed to establish and record the position.

Nationality by option covers defined situations, including people who are or were under a Spanish citizen’s parental authority and those whose mother or father was originally Spanish and born in Spain. Deadlines depend on the specific ground.

Having a Spanish grandparent alone does not automatically make you Spanish. However, someone born outside Spain with a parent or grandparent who was originally Spanish may qualify for the one-year residence route.

Nor does every application based on family connections automatically waive renunciation. The exact legal route and any applicable exemption must be checked.

Marriage to a Spanish citizen

Marriage does not automatically confer Spanish nationality.

The one-year residence reduction can apply if, when you submit the application, you have been married to a Spanish citizen for at least one year and are not legally or actually separated. You must also meet the qualifying residence requirement and the other conditions.

Is the Democratic Memory Law still open?

The window for new requests under the Democratic Memory Law closed on 22 October 2025.

Existing applications can continue to be processed. Under the official appointment rules, applicants who requested a qualifying consular appointment within the deadline and have the required official proof may also be able to present their documents later.

This does not reopen the route for someone making a new request in 2026. If you missed the deadline, check whether an ordinary Civil Code route is available instead.

Can you lose Spanish nationality after acquiring it?

Yes. The Spanish Civil Code contains several loss-of-nationality provisions. Keeping a Spanish passport does not remove every nationality-preservation requirement.

Acquiring another nationality while living abroad

Under Article 24.1, emancipated Spaniards habitually living abroad can lose Spanish nationality three years after voluntarily acquiring another nationality. Exclusive use of a foreign nationality held before emancipation can also trigger the provision.

A timely declaration of the intention to retain Spanish nationality before the Civil Registry can prevent loss under this rule. The deadline runs from acquisition of the foreign nationality or emancipation, as applicable.

There are important exceptions. For Spaniards by origin, acquiring an Ibero-American, Andorran, Filipino, Equatoguinean or Portuguese nationality does not by itself cause loss under this provision. The France treaty also protects the acquisition of French nationality in the circumstances it covers.

Spanish children born and living abroad

A separate rule can apply where you were born and live abroad, are Spanish through a Spanish parent who was also born abroad, and the law of your country of residence gives you that country’s nationality.

In these circumstances, Article 24.3 requires a retention declaration within three years of reaching adulthood or emancipation. Where adulthood begins at 18, this normally means acting before turning 21.

Do not assume that renewing a passport resolves the question. Ask the competent consular Civil Registry whether a formal declaration is required.

Exclusive use of a nationality you declared you were renouncing

Article 25.1(a) applies to Spaniards who are not Spanish by origin. They can lose Spanish nationality if, for three years, they exclusively use the nationality they declared they were renouncing when becoming Spanish.

The statutory trigger is exclusive use for three years. It should not be confused with a blanket statement that any single use of a foreign passport causes loss.

What should you check before applying?

Start with your actual circumstances:

1. Identify your citizenship route. Residence, origin and option have different eligibility rules.
2. Record all current nationalities and how you obtained them. A passport alone may not establish the facts needed for a particular exemption or residence reduction.
3. Check the laws of both countries. Confirm the Spanish declaration requirement and any foreign citizenship-loss procedure.
4. Prepare the evidence for your route. Family certificates, residence history and other documents depend on the application.
5. Check preservation deadlines. Pay particular attention to foreign naturalisation and children approaching adulthood abroad.

Travel rules also remain relevant. For example, U.S. dual nationals must use a U.S. passport to enter and leave the United States. Consular protection can be limited when you are in a country whose nationality you also hold.

Legal review: Francisco Javier Theuer Carmona, immigration lawyer and member of the Granada Bar Association (ICAGR 7984).

Last reviewed: 5 October 2026

Get help with your Spanish citizenship application

Nodisea can assess your route, the evidence required and the Spanish renunciation or preservation rules that apply to your circumstances.

Explore our Spanish citizenship service or book a free immigration consultation to discuss your nationality, residence history and family connections.

Official sources

• Spanish Civil Code, Articles 17–26.
• Ministry of Justice: dual nationality.
• Spanish government: acquiring nationality.
• Spain–France nationality treaty and official application instructions.
• Ministry of Justice: nationality by option and closure of the Democratic Memory Law application period.
• Official rules for consular appointments requested within the Democratic Memory Law deadline.
• UK government: dual citizenship and renouncing British citizenship.
• U.S. Department of State: dual nationality.