The panorama of the Spanish nationality is about to change, since as of March 2025, the Government will implement a Review and control process which will affect thousands of people. This new system of audit It seeks to ensure that those who obtained nationality by non -native roads, such as residence, option or nature letter, meet all established legal requirements. Following the growing concern for possible fraud or irregularities In the naturalization processes, this measure aims to strengthen the transparency and the legality of the granting of nationality.
In 2023, more than 240,000 people They acquired Spanish nationality, and this number continued to grow in 2024. However, the implementation of this review process implies that some of these people could lose their nationality if they do not comply with the criteria established by the Government. The question is: what makes a person lose the Spanish nationality? And, even more important, what should those affected do to avoid this situation and maintain their status of nationality?
Reasons to lose Spanish nationality
The reasons why a person could lose Spanish nationality are diverse, and not all are related to breach of the law intentionally. In general terms, the main causes for Revocation of nationality are the following:
- Continued use of the previous nationality: In cases where a person has acquired Spanish nationality for residence, option or nature letter, it is expected to resign from their previous nationality. Although the regulations establish that people can maintain dual nationality in certain cases (for example, with Ibero -American countries, Andorra, Philippines, Equatorial or Portugal Guinea), the continued use of original nationality for three years without declaring the will to maintain Spanish nationality can lead to its loss. This applies especially to those who do not have the right to dual nationality and do not comply with the established deadlines to declare the intention to conserve the Spanish.
- Participation in activities contrary to the interests of Spain: Another cause for the loss of Spanish nationality is active participation in activities that contravene the national interests of the country. This includes, among other things, to enter the military service of another country without the express authorization of the Spanish Government, or accept a political position in another country without notifying and obtaining the consent of the Spanish government.
- Fraud in the naturalization process: If during the process of acquiring nationality, serious irregularities are discovered, such as falsification of documents or the omission of relevant information, those affected may lose nationality. This type of fraud, if verified by a firm judicial judgment, could lead to the cancellation of the Spanish nationality obtained. In addition, those who have committed fraud in the naturalization process could also face additional legal consequences.
Revocation
The loss of Spanish nationality will not be automatic. Instead of being an immediate process, it will be carried out through a Administrative file in which affected people will have the opportunity to present their allegations and defend their case. This procedure offers a space for those affected to justify their situation before a final decision is made.
He Ministry of Justice He stressed that the revocation of nationality will not be carried out without prior notice. Those affected will receive notifications so that they can present their arguments and defend their position. In some cases, it may be necessary to present additional documentation that proves compliance with legal conditions to maintain nationality. The objective is to ensure that affected people have the opportunity to regularize their situation before a definitive decision is made.
Recovery
While losing Spanish nationality can be a complicated and stressful process, not everything is lost for those who can find themselves in this situation. Exist mechanisms to recover Spanish nationalityprovided that certain requirements established by law are met.
- Legal Residence in Spain: For those who have lost nationality, the option to recover it exists whenever they can demonstrate a legal residence in the country. This implies that the person must have lived continuously and legally in Spain during a given period.
- Formal declaration: The person who wishes to recover Spanish nationality must make a formal statement before the Civil Registry, in which he expresses his willingness to recover his nationality.
- Registration in the Civil Registry: In addition to the formal statement, it will be necessary for the person to register again in the civil registry of his town to complete the process of recovery of Spanish nationality.
He nationalities review process which will be implemented in March 2025 will mainly affect those who have acquired Spanish nationality recently. In particular, citizens who have obtained nationality for residence, option or nature letter will be the most susceptible to this new regulation.
