Dual citizenship in Spain: which countries allow you to retain it and how it works
Having dual citizenship means being a citizen of two countries at the same time. In Spain, as a general rule, there is no separate procedure to “apply for dual citizenship”: you must first acquire Spanish citizenship through the applicable route, then check whether you can retain your previous citizenship.
It is not requested separately
Dual citizenship is usually the result of acquiring another nationality while retaining the one a person already held.
There are exceptions to the renunciation requirement
Certain nationals do not have to declare that they are renouncing their previous nationality when acquiring Spanish citizenship.
You need to check both countries’ laws
The fact that Spain allows you to retain another nationality does not automatically mean that your country of origin does the same.
What is dual citizenship?
Dual citizenship is the situation in which a person simultaneously holds the nationality of two states. This creates a dual legal bond: the person is a national of both countries and may have rights and obligations under each legal system.
This does not necessarily mean that both countries’ laws apply in the same way in every situation. Dual nationality agreements may include rules for determining which connection takes precedence in certain dealings with the states, often using residence as a point of reference.
How do you obtain dual citizenship with Spain?
In practice, there is no generic application called “dual citizenship”. You apply for or acquire Spanish citizenship through the applicable route . Once you have acquired it, it is determined whether you must declare that you are renouncing your previous nationality or whether you fall within one of the situations in which Spain allows you to retain it.
Identify your route to Spanish citizenship
Residence, option, naturalisation by royal decree, citizenship by origin or another legally established situation.
Check whether Spain requires you to renounce your previous nationality
Article 23 of the Civil Code establishes the general rule and its exceptions.
Check the law of your other country
The fact that Spain allows you to retain that nationality does not require the other state to accept dual citizenship.
Complete the acquisition and registration process
Where applicable, the citizenship oath or pledge, the necessary declarations and registration with the Civil Registry are completed.
Who does not have to declare that they are renouncing their previous nationality in Spain?
The Civil Code and official information from the Ministry of Justice state that people who are nationals of Ibero-American countries, Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea or Portugal do not have to declare that they are renouncing their previous nationality. There is also a specific exception for Sephardic Jews originating from Spain .
Countries where Spanish or Portuguese is an official language
The Ministry of Justice expressly states that Puerto Rico is considered an Ibero-American country for these purposes.
Haiti, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, and Guyana.
Spain and France: dual citizenship under an agreement
Spain and France have a Citizenship Agreement that has been in force since 1 April 2022 . The agreement allows Spanish citizens to acquire French citizenship and French citizens to acquire Spanish citizenship while retaining their previous citizenship, provided they meet the acquisition requirements under the laws of the state whose citizenship they are seeking.
This does not make France a country where Spanish citizenship is automatically or more quickly available: the agreement governs the retention of both citizenships ; it does not remove the requirements of the route used to acquire the new citizenship.
See the Spain–France guide →Possibility of acquiring the other country's citizenship while retaining your existing citizenship.
If I am already a Spanish citizen and acquire another citizenship, could I lose Spanish citizenship?
There may be a risk of loss in certain cases. Article 24 of the Civil Code governs, among other cases, the situation of emancipated Spanish citizens who habitually reside abroad and voluntarily acquire another citizenship or use exclusively the foreign citizenship they already held.
The three-year rule
In certain cases, citizenship may be lost after three years have passed since acquiring the other citizenship or since emancipation.
Declaration of retention
Where applicable, loss can be avoided by declaring, within the legal time limit, the intention to retain Spanish citizenship.
Relevant exceptions
Acquiring the citizenship of an Ibero-American country, Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea, or Portugal is not, by itself, sufficient to result in the loss of Spanish citizenship by origin.
Dual citizenship, Spanish citizenship and residence: they are not the same
Two nationality ties
Describes the final situation of a person who simultaneously retains two nationalities.
Acquiring citizenship
It is acquired through one of the legally established routes, each with its own requirements.
See all routes →Permission to live in Spain
Holding a residence authorization is not the same as having Spanish nationality or dual citizenship.
View residence options →Frequently asked questions about dual citizenship in Spain
Is there a specific application for dual citizenship?
Can all Latin Americans retain their nationality?
Can a French citizen hold both French and Spanish nationality?
Does having dual citizenship reduce the number of years required to apply for Spanish nationality?
Can I use two passports?
Could I lose my Spanish nationality if I live abroad and acquire another nationality?
Official sources
First, find out how you can acquire Spanish nationality
Whether you can retain your original nationality depends on your circumstances. Start with the acquisition route that applies to you, then check which dual nationality rules apply.