More than 300,000 Cubans are currently engaged in obtaining Spanish citizenship through the Democratic Memory Law, commonly referred to as the Grandchildren Law. This legislation grants citizenship rights to descendants of Spaniards who fled during the Spanish Civil War and Franco's regime. Juan Manuel de Hoz, a spokesperson for the Center of United Spanish Descendants (CeDEU), disclosed to La Voz de Galicia that approximately 300,000 Cubans have registered as consular users to pursue Spanish nationality.
The Cuban consulate, alongside those in Buenos Aires, Mendoza, and Rosario, witnesses one of the highest volumes of citizenship requests, making Cuba the second-largest country in terms of processing these applications. According to de Hoz, these four locations together account for over a million individuals seeking Spanish citizenship. In Buenos Aires alone, about 650,000 are registered; Mendoza and Rosario each have around 70,000 applications. "The numbers are astounding, and by the end of this process, we expect between one and a half to two million new Spanish citizens," de Hoz projected. He described the law as notably generous, comparing it favorably to similar laws in Portugal and even broader than those in Italy.
The Democratic Memory Law, including the so-called "Grandchildren Law" in Cuba, provides two main conditions for claiming Spanish nationality. The first condition applies to grandchildren of Spaniards who have retained their Spanish nationality. These individuals can obtain Spanish citizenship through an option declaration, expressing their desire to do so. The second condition is for descendants of Spaniards who lost their nationality, either because their parents or grandparents lost it during the Civil War or Franco's dictatorship or because they themselves lost it by acquiring another nationality. In such cases, descendants can reclaim it, provided they meet the criteria set by the Democratic Memory Law.
The deadline to substantiate the family connection is October 21. From October 21, 2022, to December 31, 2023, the consular network has processed 226,354 applications from Cubans, approving 110,540 cases and registering 69,421.
FAQs on Cuban Applications for Spanish Citizenship
What is the Grandchildren Law in Spain?
The Grandchildren Law allows descendants of Spaniards exiled during the Spanish Civil War and Franco's regime to obtain Spanish citizenship.
How many Cubans have applied for Spanish citizenship under this law?
Approximately 300,000 Cubans have applied for Spanish citizenship through the Grandchildren Law.
What are the main conditions to apply for Spanish citizenship under the Democratic Memory Law?
Applicants must be grandchildren of Spaniards who have not lost their Spanish nationality, or descendants of those who lost it due to the Civil War, Franco's regime, or acquiring another nationality.