Citizenship
33 newsReaders can follow how national headlines become local stories across Spanish cities, regions, institutions and communities.
Ombudsman takes Ley de Nietos voting dispute to Constitutional Court
Ángel Gabilondo has asked Spain’s Constitutional Court for urgent measures after the Supreme Court kept some overseas registrations suspended. The dispute affects 163,020 people ahead of the November 29 elections.
Gabilondo takes voter suspension to Constitutional Court
Ángel Gabilondo has asked the Constitutional Court to intervene over voting rights for 163,020 newly naturalised Spaniards. He wants urgent measures before the 29 November election.
Gabilondo seeks urgent protection for overseas voters
Ángel Gabilondo has asked the Constitutional Court to intervene before the 29 November election. The restriction affects Spaniards on the overseas electoral register, while naturalised citizens living in Spain can still vote.
Spain will send voting papers to all CERA registrants
Spain’s central election board will send 29N papers to all CERA registrants, though a Supreme Court suspension bars some from voting. Consular certificates can preserve eligibility for people who meet the ruling’s test.
Gamarra presses Sánchez over Moroccan vessels
Cuca Gamarra says officials knew Moroccan vessels had entered Spanish waters before the government acknowledged it. She also challenges the handling of the Ley de Nietos and court-ordered voting safeguards.
Supreme Court Keeps 163,020 Grandchildren’s Votes Suspended
Spain’s Supreme Court has refused to lift the suspension affecting an estimated 163,020 beneficiaries of the law of grandchildren. Those affected may have to challenge the ruling again before seeking constitutional protection.
Newly naturalised voters get five days to challenge suspension
The Supreme Court has kept the voting suspension in place for some newly naturalised Spaniards. Affected voters have five days to join the case, but an individual appeal may not restore the right for everyone.
Court keeps overseas-vote suspension in force
A five-to-one ruling leaves the CERA suspension intact ahead of the 29-N election. The administration argued the timetable made compliance impractical, but the court said it had supplied no evidence of what it had done.
163.020 new Spanish citizens face an uncertain vote
A Supreme Court review has put the 29 November vote in doubt for thousands who gained Spanish nationality through the ley de nietos. Their registration remains under scrutiny.
Spain’s Early Election Puts CERA Vote Before Supreme Court
A 29 November election has forced Spain’s Supreme Court to revisit the CERA registrations of new citizens. Keeping the suspension could block voters, while lifting it could expose the result to a legal challenge.
Spain’s Supreme Court compresses vote ruling timetable
A 48-hour deadline has forced the parties to argue over Spain’s overseas voter register. The ruling could decide whether thousands of nationalized citizens vote on 29 November.
Prosecutor urges Supreme Court to restore Spaniards’ votes
Spain’s Public Prosecutor’s Office wants the Supreme Court to lift the suspension before the 29 November election, when about 400,000 overseas registrations could be affected.
Supreme Court gives parties 48 hours on grandson law
Spain's Supreme Court has given the parties until 15:00 Thursday to address the suspension of overseas voter registrations under the 'ley de nietos'. The court must decide whether the measure will affect the 29 November general election.
Supreme Court move blocks votes under Spain's Ley de nietos
Pedro Sánchez calls the Supreme Court's precautionary measures very serious. The decision affects voters who gained Spanish nationality through the Ley de nietos and registered abroad.
Spanish Parliament Set to Approve Citizenship for Thousands of Sahrawis
Spain is preparing to grant citizenship to up to 80,000 Sahrawis born under Spanish rule, a move that comes amid strained relations with Morocco and shifting alliances in parliament. The law could finally resolve the status of thousands left in legal limbo for decades.
Vox Files Criminal Complaints Against Justice Officials Over 'Ley de Nietos'
Vox has taken legal action against two senior Justice Ministry officials, accusing them of serious crimes over the application of the 'ley de nietos'. The move intensifies the political and legal battle over Spanish citizenship for descendants of exiles.
Spanish Congress Moves Forward on Nationality Law for Sahrawis
A key parliamentary vote has advanced a law granting Spanish nationality to Sahrawis born in the former colony and their descendants. The PP's abstention proved decisive. The measure now awaits a full Congress vote in September.
Barcelona and Lleida See Record Requests for Old Metric Documents Needed for Passport Applications
Catalan Church Archives Overwhelmed by Citizenship Application Surge. Thousands of requests for baptism certificates have piled up in Catalonia's church archives. A citizenship law for descendants of emigrants has brought the system to a standstill. Archivists report overload and suspect fraud.
Greek citizenship for Prince Pavlos' family unexpected terms and consequences
Former Greek Royal Family Officially Granted Citizenship. Greece’s highest administrative court has affirmed the citizenship of Prince Pavlos’s family, under the condition that they renounce all titles and any claims to the throne. The decision affects not only the family’s rights but also their future role in the country, sparking debate among experts.
Van der Vaart challenges Morocco and the Netherlands stakes are higher than they seem
Scandal Surrounds Van der Vaart as His Words About Bounida and Smit Could Change Football. Van der Vaart has shaken the football world: his strong remarks on Bounida's choice and Smit's prospects could shift the balance of power in national teams. Why this conflict could spark major changes — the intrigue is growing.
Government reshuffles team and approves key measures
Spanish government shuffles cabinet and makes key decisions amid elections. Spain appoints a new finance minister and expands the deputy prime minister’s powers. The cabinet has approved high-profile measures on amnesty and citizenship. These moves could impact the country’s political and social landscape.
EU countries issue record number of passports in a decade
EU sets record for new citizenships with 11.6 percent increase in one year. In 2024, EU countries granted a record number of citizenships. Germany, Spain, and Italy lead in new passports. This is reshaping population dynamics and integration in Spain.
Spanish authorities weigh the fate of a prominent Venezuelan
Spain fast-tracks citizenship in a surprise move for opposition figure. The Spanish government is preparing an emergency citizenship decision for a Venezuelan opposition leader. A new decree might change his status and influence international relations. Details on the reasons and potential implications for Spain are in this report.
How citizenship claims are shaping the actions of Madrid politicians
Nationalization Debate and Election Future Spark Tensions in Madrid. Political tensions are rising in Madrid following the elections in Castilla y León. The ramifications of numerous citizenship applications and their potential impact on upcoming elections are under discussion. Authorities and the opposition are preparing for new clashes in the Assembly.
Unprecedented in ten years — major motives behind the surge of naturalizations and their possible impact on upcoming elections
A Million New Citizens: How Spain's Electorate Is Changing. Since 2018, Spain has granted citizenship to nearly 1.4 million foreigners. This has already reshaped the country's political landscape. Further challenges and unexpected consequences lie ahead.
Could the influx of new citizens tip Spain’s political scales — surprising effects of mass legalization
Scandal Over Changes in the Electoral List: Accusations Against the Government. A heated debate is unfolding in Spain over the impact of mass legalization and the Descendants Law on upcoming elections. The opposition accuses authorities of trying to alter the electorate. European-level investigations are ahead.
Why a Hollywood Star Can't Fulfill His Wife's Dream of Becoming Spanish
Why Richard Gere Will Never Be Able to Swear Allegiance to the Flag of Spain. Alejandra Silva dreams of seeing her husband become Spanish. However, Richard Gere faces an obstacle. The law does not allow him to take the pledge of allegiance to the flag.
Scandal Surrounding Russian Businessman: Why Spanish Courts Denied Him Citizenship
Spanish court revokes citizenship of Russian businessman over suspected spy ties. Spanish authorities have stripped a Russian entrepreneur of his citizenship amid suspicions of intelligence and criminal connections. The decision follows the discovery of conflicting court rulings.
What lies behind politicians' bold statements: an analysis of manipulations and flawed arguments
How Political Statements in Spain Distort the Essence of Citizenship and Rights. This article examines logical fallacies in the public speeches of Spanish politicians. It analyzes common techniques that influence perceptions of citizenship and shape public discourse. Readers will learn how such arguments form the political agenda and why recognizing them is crucial.
Vox catches up with PP and reshapes Spain’s political landscape – what is Feijóo planning
Vox’s Rising Popularity Threatens People’s Party Position. Competition between PP and Vox is intensifying in Spain. Feijóo’s leadership is under pressure. Internal tensions are growing within the party due to new strategies. Migration issues and economic promises are emerging as key topics.
PP plans new barriers for foreigners and revises access to benefits – what will change
Spain Debates Stricter Rules for Citizenship and Social Assistance. A heated debate is underway in Spain over new requirements for obtaining citizenship and social support. Authorities are considering tougher language and cultural exams. There is also discussion about linking benefits to active job seeking. These changes could affect hundreds of thousands of migrants.
Migration Issue in Spain: Points-Based Visas, Deportation Threats, and the Battle for Benefits – What Politicians Are Hiding
Spain Debates New Visas and Mass Deportations of Migrants. A heated debate is unfolding in Spain over the future of migration policy. New visa regulations, stricter deportations, and cuts to social assistance are under discussion. Political parties remain divided on a unified approach.
The Story of the Álvarez Family from Asturias: A Journey Through Exile, the USSR, and the USA
Descendants of Spanish Emigrants in the USSR Continue the Fight for Citizenship. Grandchildren of Spanish emigrants from Asturias are trying to reclaim their rights. Their family story is tied to deportation and the search for justice. The issue of citizenship is under consideration. The fate of several generations is in the spotlight.