Spain makes official the extension of the Grandchildren Law.

Spain extended for another year the Democratic Memory Law (DML), known as the Grandchildren Law, which allows descendants of Spaniards exiled during the Civil War and Francoism to acquire nationality.

The Minister of Territorial Policy and Democratic Memory, Ángel Víctor Torres, announced during the press conference following the Council of Ministers that the possibility of acquiring Spanish nationality through this initiative was extended until October 2025.

The so-called Grandchildren's Law came into effect in October 2022 and was set to expire in October 2024.

This regulation is part of the Eighth Additional Provision of the Democratic Memory Law, which establishes that those born outside of Spain to a father or mother, grandfather or grandmother who were originally Spanish and lost or renounced Spanish nationality for political, ideological, belief, or sexual orientation and identity reasons, may be eligible for Spanish nationality.

The initial regulation stipulated that the application for nationality had to be formalized within a period of two years from the entry into force of the Democratic Memory Law on October 21, 2022.

However, the Council of Ministers decided to extend this deadline for one more year, which provides a last opportunity for the descendants of exiles to obtain dual nationality.

This rule also includes children born abroad to Spanish women who lost their nationality by marrying foreigners before the entry into force of the 1978 Constitution, as well as adult children of those Spaniards who had their original nationality recognized.

Torres pointed out that this extension is "fantastic news" that "will be applauded by the Spaniards who once again recognize themselves as Spaniards with all the established legal parameters."

He added that in less than two years, 300,000 applications have been received, with Argentina and Cuba being the countries with the highest demand.

Around 15,000 Cubans became Spanish citizens during the first 10 months after the law came into effect.

Until last December, a total of 226,354 descendants of Spanish exiles and emigrants had applied for nationality under the Democratic Memory Law, with 110,540 approved procedures and 69,421 registrations completed, according to the 2023 consular activity report.

To be able to request nationality through this route, it is necessary to present the birth certificate or baptism or marriage certificate of the Spanish parents or grandparents.

Therefore, it is recommended to start the search in the churches and towns of Spain to find the documents that prove the Spanish ancestry.

This extension offers a valuable opportunity to many Cubans who are descendants of Spanish exiles, who now have more time to gather the necessary documentation and submit their nationality applications, especially when waiting times at the consulate on the island are lengthy.