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Spanish nationality for British citizens
Some Britons are already Spanish without knowing it. Others can acquire Spanish nationality by option, recovery or residence. I tell you which route applies and handle the file.
Are you already Spanish?
A child of a Spanish parent is usually Spanish from birth, wherever they were born, even if the birth was never recorded at a Spanish consulate. In that case the task is to record the birth, not to apply for nationality. I review your family documents and tell you which situation you are in.
Routes to Spanish nationality
- Option. For people who were under the parental authority of a Spaniard, and in some cases for children of Spaniards by origin born in Spain. Time limits apply.
- Recovery. For former Spaniards who lost their nationality.
- Residence. For Britons living in Spain: ten years of legal residence as a rule, or one year if married to a Spanish citizen and living together. The DELE A2 language exam and the CCSE test are required.
- Democratic Memory Act. The application period closed in October 2025. I review and complete files that were filed in time.
Do I have to give up British citizenship?
For nationality by residence and option, Spanish law requires a declaration renouncing your previous nationality, and without it the Spanish nationality is not granted. That declaration has no effect on your British citizenship: under the British Nationality Act 1981, British citizenship is lost only by a declaration of renunciation registered by the Home Secretary. I explain the position in writing before you sign anything.
Refusals and delays
I review refusals, file appeals and, where the authority has not decided within the legal time limit, take the steps the law allows to obtain a decision.
Fees
| Service | Notes | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Nationality status review | Written view on whether you are already Spanish or which route applies | £295 |
| Nationality by residence | For Britons living in Spain; DELE and CCSE exam fees separate | £950 |
| Nationality by option or recovery | £850 | |
| Pending Democratic Memory Act file: review | Applications already filed | £295 |
| Pending Democratic Memory Act file: further documents | From £650 | |
| Review of a refusal | Credited against the appeal | £295 |
| Appeal against a refusal | From £750 | |
| Court appeal | Court costs and the risk of a costs order are explained before you decide | From £2,750 |
Fixed fees in pounds sterling, confirmed in writing before any work begins. Applicable taxes are confirmed in your written quote. Third-party costs such as notary, registry, taxes, translations and apostilles are paid in euros at cost, unless expressly included. How fees work.
Common questions
Is there a Spanish nationality route through a grandparent?
The Democratic Memory Act route for grandchildren closed in October 2025. Other routes may still apply depending on your parents’ nationality at the time you were born. The status review answers that question.
Can I apply for nationality by residence from the UK?
No. It requires legal and continuous residence in Spain immediately before the application.
Will I lose my British passport?
No. Signing the Spanish renunciation declaration does not end British citizenship. See the explanation above.
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