Spanish Citizenship Under the Democratic Memory Law: The Deadline Has Closed

Reviewed by Francisco Campos, lawyer, Seville Bar Association (ICA Sevilla) no. 15702 · Last updated: November 2026

The application window for Spanish nationality under the Democratic Memory Law (Law 20/2022, Eighth Additional Provision), often called the Grandchildren’s Law, closed on 22 October 2025. New applications under this route are no longer accepted.

If you are reading this page, you are probably in one of two situations:

• You applied before the deadline and you are still waiting. If more than a year has passed without a decision, we can take legal action on your file. Go to section 2.
• You did not apply in time. The Democratic Memory route is closed, but other routes to Spanish citizenship may still be open to you. Go to section 3.

Not sure which applies? Book a €49 consultation (VAT included) and we will review your case.

1. What happened to the Democratic Memory Law route

Law 20/2022 on Democratic Memory came into force in October 2022. Its Eighth Additional Provision allowed descendants of Spanish citizens, including the children and grandchildren of exiles, to opt for Spanish nationality. The original window was two years, and the Spanish Government extended it by one more year, until 22 October 2025.

That window is now closed. Applications filed before the deadline are still being processed, but many Spanish consulates have large backlogs, and a lot of applicants are still waiting for a decision.

2. Applied in time and still waiting after more than a year?

If you filed your Democratic Memory Law application and more than a year has passed without a decision, waiting is not your only option. Lexmovea can file a contentious-administrative appeal (recurso contencioso-administrativo) to take the lack of response to court.

What we do:

1. Review your file. We check your filing receipt, the consulate or civil registry where you applied, the filing date and the current status.
2. Confirm the appeal is viable. We tell you whether it makes sense in your case and what the risks and costs are, before you commit.
3. Arrange representation. Court proceedings in Spain require a lawyer and a court representative (procurador). We explain how to grant the power of attorney from your country.
4. File the appeal and follow it up. We handle the filing and keep you informed at each step until your file is resolved.

What we need from you:

• Your filing receipt (proof of submission) showing the date.
• Your passport.
• Any communication you have received from the consulate or the civil registry.

We cannot promise a result or a timeframe: that depends on your file and on the court. What we can do is tell you, after reviewing your documents, whether the appeal is the right step for you.

3. Missed the deadline? Other routes to Spanish citizenship

The Democratic Memory route is closed, but depending on your family history, another route may still be available:

• Your father or mother was originally Spanish and born in Spain. You may be able to opt for Spanish nationality under Article 20.1(b) of the Spanish Civil Code, with no age limit. Nationality by option.
• Your father, mother, grandfather or grandmother was originally Spanish. You may qualify for nationality by residence after only one year of legal residence in Spain (Article 22.2(f) of the Civil Code). Nationality by residence.
• You are a national of an Ibero-American country, Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea or Portugal. The residence requirement is two years instead of the general ten (Article 22.1 of the Civil Code).

Which route fits depends on the documents available for each generation of your family. We check this in the consultation.

4. €49 online consultation (VAT included)

• A video call of about 45 minutes, in English, with an immigration lawyer.
• We review your situation and your documents.
• You leave knowing whether to file an appeal, which alternative route fits you, or whether there is nothing to do.
• If you then hire Lexmovea for your case, the €49 is deducted from our fees.

Frequently asked questions