The date of October 22, 2025, marks a definite end to one of the most significant Spanish citizenship processes of recent decades: the opportunity to obtain Spanish nationality for thousands of descendants of exiles and emigrants. Officially, the window to apply under Spain’s Grandchildren’s Law (Ley de Nietos) has concluded.
Since the entry into force of Law 20/2022 on Democratic Memory (LMD) – popularly known as the Grandchildren’s Law – thousands of people of Spanish origin in countries like Argentina, Cuba, or Mexico have fulfilled their dream of obtaining the Spanish passport. However, the exceptional application period has reached its final date.
As of today, October 23, 2025, this ‘Window of Opportunity’ is closed, as confirmed by the Government of Spain. This is not speculation but a confirmation derived from official sources (the BOE – Spain’s Official State Gazette, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation), which have already confirmed the closure of the deadline without the possibility of a further extension.
The Definitive Cut-off Date: October 22, 2025
The deadline to formalize the declaration of option for Spanish nationality under the Additional Eighth Provision of Law 20/2022, of October 19, on Democratic Memory, expired at midnight on October 22, 2025.
This Law established an initial period of two years from its entry into force (October 2022), with the possibility of a one-year extension through a Council of Ministers’ Agreement. This extension was materialized, pushing the final deadline to October 22, 2025—a date the Executive had repeatedly assured was the definitive one.
The closure of the deadline applies exclusively to new applications that were not formally registered or for which a justified appointment was not obtained before the cut-off time on October 22.
I submitted my application before October 22, what happens now?
For all those who successfully registered their application at the Consular Civil Registry or the Spanish Civil Registry before the deadline, the situation is different and much more positive.
If you have already submitted the documentation or have an appointment justification with a Secure Verification Code (CSV) issued by the Consulate or the official system before October 23, your process will continue normally. The submitted files will be processed according to the order of entry, and the consulates will assign pending dates to complete the document submission or the oath ceremony.
The closing of the deadline only means that the computer system will stop registering new initial files from today. The processing, resolution, and, where applicable, the registration in the Civil Registry of the files already initiated will follow their administrative course.
Important: If you received a notification for subsanación (requirement for correction/amendment) or have an open file that requires additional documentation, you will have a deadline of 30 calendar days to provide the missing documents, as established in the administrative process. It is vital to act quickly upon any consular requirement.
What Alternatives Remain to Obtain Spanish Nationality by Descent?
The expiration of the Grandchildren’s Law means that nationality can no longer be sought through the Democratic Memory Law. However, depending on your personal situation and that of your ancestors, other legal avenues might exist to obtain Spanish citizenship:
- Nationality by Option under the Civil Code (Art. 20): This route remains in force for minor children of original Spanish citizens and for those whose filiation (paternity or maternity) is determined after the age of 18. This is an option that should always be analysed by a specialist.
- Nationality by Residence (Residencia): This is the main route for those who do not meet the descent requirements. It requires legal and continuous residence in Spain for a determined period (generally 10, 5, 2, or 1 year, depending on the country of origin or specific circumstances). Legal residence is the fundamental requirement.
- Nationality by Possession of Status (Posesión de Estado): In very limited cases, those who have possessed and used Spanish nationality for ten years (in good faith and based on a title registered in the Civil Registry) can opt for it.
The Grandchildren’s Law was an exceptional opportunity that, unfortunately, will not be continued for the moment. The Government’s confirmation that there will be no new extension underlines the importance of this closure. For those who did not manage to submit their application, it is vital to immediately evaluate other options with a firm specializing in immigration and nationality law.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to submit a Grandchildren’s Law application today, October 23, 2025?
No, the deadline for submitting new applications ended on October 22, 2025, as stipulated in the extension of the Democratic Memory Law (LMD). Spanish Consulates and Civil Registries no longer accept new files initiated under this provision from this date onward.
If I had an appointment for a month from now but haven’t submitted anything yet, can I still process it?
It will depend on whether your appointment was generated through a system that issued an electronic justification with a Secure Verification Code (CSV) or some type of formal application record prior to the deadline. If it is only an appointment without prior registration, it is highly likely that your application will be rejected because the legal deadline for its submission has expired. You must urgently contact the Consulate where you requested the appointment to verify the validity of your justification.
Could the Government of Spain approve a new extension for the Grandchildren’s Law?
Currently, the Government has been clear in confirming that there will be no further extensions. The Minister of Territorial Policy and Democratic Memory has pointed out the difficulty of reaching a political consensus to extend the deadlines again. In the short term, this avenue is definitively closed.
The closing of the deadline for the Grandchildren’s Law marks a turning point for the Spanish diaspora. Those who did not make it in time must understand that, even though the Democratic Memory Law avenue has been exhausted, Spanish Immigration and Nationality Law offers other options. It is essential to analyse your situation with an expert legal advisor to determine which alternative route is most suitable for achieving your goal. Do not waste any more time and start evaluating your Plan B.
If you need personalized assistance, at Entre Trámites we offer management and advisory services on immigration matters. You can contact us through this contact form for us to call you, or if you prefer, you can schedule a free consultation or write to us on WhatsApp.
