Dual citizenship in Spain is allowed under specific circumstances, but the rules are not the same for every nationality. Local legislation neither provides automatic entitlement to twofold nationhood nor imposes a blanket prohibition against it.
In order to understand the system, you need to know the situations where double status is recognized by regulations, where you can get a second passport while keeping your initial one and how native Spaniards can get a second nationality abroad.
Is Dual Citizenship Legal in Spain?
When it comes to Spanish dual citizenship, the law treats three main situations differently. First, a person may already be recognised as holding two nationalities if both legal systems permit it. Second, an applicant acquiring a Spanish passport while holding another one may or may not be required to declare renunciation, depending on the country of origin. Third, a Spaniard who later gets a foreign nationality while living abroad faces separate retention rules.
Who Can Keep Their Nationality When Becoming Spanish?
Spain and France concluded a bilateral nationality convention in Montauban on 15 March 2021. It entered into force on 1 April 2022. Under the document, French nationals may acquire Spanish citizenship, and vice versa, without renouncing their original ethnicity, provided they meet the ordinary requirements of the state whose nationhood they are getting.
| Country or Category | Can previous nationality generally be retained? | Legal Basis |
| Ibero-American Countries | Yes | Art. 23(b) Spanish Civil Code & Bilateral Treaties |
| Portugal | Yes | Art. 23(b) Spanish Civil Code |
| Andorra | Yes | Art. 23(b) Spanish Civil Code |
| Philippines | Yes | Art. 23(b) Spanish Civil Code |
| Equatorial Guinea | Yes | Art. 23(b) Spanish Civil Code |
| France | Yes | Bilateral Dual Nationality Convention (2022) |
| United States, UK, Canada, Australia | No, Spanish law requires declaration of renunciation | General Provisions, Art. 23 Spanish Civil Code |
| Sephardic Jews | Yes | Special Statutory Framework |
What the Renunciation Requirement Means
When acquiring Spanish nationality by residence, applicants who fall outside the exempt categories are generally required to declare that they renounce their previous citizenship. The declaration is made before the local authorities as part of the acquisition process. It is a formal statement under Spanish regulations. It is not, by itself, an act that automatically extinguishes the other nationality under the law of the state that granted it.
How Spanish Citizenship Can Be Acquired
The dual-nationality rules attach to the route that was used by the applicants. The main options are:
- citizenship by residence;
- citizenship by origin or descent ;
- citizenship by option;
- citizenship linked to marriage;
- citizenship by carta de naturaleza.
What Happens When a Spanish Citizen Gets Another Citizenship?
An emancipated Spanish citizen who habitually resides abroad and voluntarily acquires another nationality may lose their original citizenship under Article 24.1 of the Code. Unless the citizen submits a statement of retention to the Civil Registry within three years, the passport automatically lapses three years after getting the secondary nationhood.
Dual Citizenship and Two Passports
Holding two nationalities can mean holding two passports, but it does not mean the holder may freely choose which citizenship applies in every situation. Entry and exit rules are set by each state. Many governments expect their nationals to use that country’s passport when entering or leaving its territory.
What to Check Before Applying
Before relying on any twofold-nationality outcome, you should confirm the following:
- your current nationality;
- the specific route by which Spanish nationality would be acquired;
- whether you fall within an Article 23.b exemption or the France convention;
- the nationality law of your current country (automatic loss, retention, or required renunciation procedure);
- any declaration of conservation that a Spanish citizen living abroad must file;
- Spanish citizenship requirements of the Civil Registry;
FAQ
Can you have dual citizenship in Spain?
Yes, in defined cases you can have dual nationality in Spain. Nationals of Ibero-American countries, Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea, Portugal and France (under the 2022 convention) are generally exempt from declaring renunciation. Others must normally declare abandonment; the effect on the original nationality depends on the other government’s law.
Does Spain allow dual citizenship with the United States?
US nationals are not exempt under Article 23.b. They generally declare renunciation when acquiring Spanish nationality by residence, option or carta de naturaleza. Actual loss of US citizenship depends on American law, which does not treat declaration as automatic loss.
Does Spain allow dual citizenship with the UK?
UK nationals fall under the general rule and normally declare renunciation. The effect on British citizenship is determined by UK law. A Spanish citizen who later acquires British nationality while living abroad must also file the Article 24 conservation declaration to keep local nationhood.
Which countries can have dual citizenship with Spain?
Ibero-American countries (Spanish or Portuguese as official language, including Puerto Rico), Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea, Portugal, and France under the bilateral convention. Sephardic origin is also exempt. Other states are not automatically included.
Can I keep my original passport after becoming Spanish?
If you are in an exempt category, Spanish law does not require a renunciation declaration. Retention is possible if your original country’s regulations also allow it. If you are not exempt, you declare abandonment; whether the original passport remains valid depends on that government’s code.
Can a Spanish citizen lose Spanish citizenship after getting another nationality?
An emancipated Spanish citizen living abroad who voluntarily acquires another nationality can lose original nationhood after three years unless a conservation declaration is filed with the Registry in time. Exceptions apply for Ibero-American, Andorran, Philippine, Equatorial Guinean, Portuguese or French citizenship under the Civil Code and the France convention.
Does Spain allow dual citizenship with France?
Yes. The Spain–France convention, in force since 1 April 2022, lets nationals of either country acquire the other nationality while keeping their original one, if ordinary requirements are met. French applicants are exempt from the Spanish renunciation declaration.
