Dual Nationality Spain — Can You Hold Two Passports? (2026)

Dual Nationality Spain at a Glance

Fast Answer: Spain permits dual nationality by treaty with 22 countries, mostly in Latin America. For nationals of all other countries (including the UK, US, Canada, Germany, and most of the EU), Spain technically requires renunciation of your previous nationality within 3 years of becoming Spanish. However, whether you actually lose your original passport depends on that country’s laws — and many countries simply do not recognise Spain’s renunciation requirement.

How Dual Nationality Works in Spain

Spanish law on dual nationality is governed by the Civil Code (Articles 23-26) and a series of bilateral treaties signed between Spain and specific countries. The fundamental rule is that Spain does not generally allow dual nationality. When you acquire Spanish citizenship, you are required to renounce your previous nationality at the oath ceremony.

But there are two major exceptions:

• Treaty countries: Spain has bilateral dual nationality agreements with over 20 countries. Citizens of these countries can hold both nationalities simultaneously without any obligation to renounce.
• Countries that ignore Spain’s renunciation: Even where Spain requires renunciation, many countries do not recognise it. A declaration made at a Spanish Civil Registry has no legal effect under UK law, US law, or the law of many other nations. In practice, millions of people hold both nationalities.

Countries with Dual Nationality Agreements with Spain

The following table lists every country that has a bilateral dual nationality treaty with Spain, plus countries where dual nationality is effectively tolerated in practice:

Countries Where Spain Requires Renunciation — But It May Not Matter

For nationals of countries not listed above, Spain requires you to formally renounce your previous nationality during the oath ceremony at the Civil Registry. But here is the critical nuance: the renunciation is a Spanish legal act. Whether it has any effect depends entirely on the laws of your country of origin.

Key takeaway: If you are British, American, Canadian, Australian, Irish, Norwegian, or Swedish, the Spanish renunciation requirement is effectively a formality — your original country will not cancel your citizenship. If you are German, Dutch, Austrian, or South African, you face a genuine risk of losing your original nationality and must take proactive steps before applying for Spanish citizenship.

The 3-Year Rule — What Happens After You Become Spanish

Even for nationals of treaty countries who are permitted to hold dual nationality, Spanish law contains an important safeguard: if you exclusively use your other nationality for 3 consecutive years (for example, by habitually using your other passport and not exercising your rights as a Spanish citizen), Spain may consider you to have lost your Spanish nationality.

Conversely, if you acquired Spanish nationality but failed to renounce your previous one (and you were required to), Spain can revoke your citizenship after 3 years if it determines that you are still actively using the other nationality.

In practice, enforcement is rare, but it is important to be aware of this rule, particularly if you spend significant time outside Spain.

Special Cases

Children with Dual Nationality

Children born in Spain to parents of different nationalities, or children who acquire Spanish nationality while also holding another, are not required to choose between nationalities until they reach the age of majority (18). After that, the 3-year rule applies. In practice, most dual-national children retain both nationalities well into adulthood without issue.

Democratic Memory Law Applicants

Applicants who obtained Spanish nationality under the Democratic Memory Law were explicitly permitted to retain their existing nationality. This was one of the most attractive features of the programme, particularly for applicants in Latin America.

Sephardic Origin Applicants

Similarly, those who obtained nationality under the Sephardic Origin Law (Law 12/2015) were not required to renounce their existing nationality. Dual nationality was explicitly permitted.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I hold a British passport and a Spanish passport at the same time?

Yes, in practice. Spain requires a formal renunciation of British citizenship at the oath ceremony, but the UK does not recognise this declaration. Your British citizenship remains valid. Thousands of people hold both passports. For a detailed analysis, see our article: Can you be British and Spanish at the same time?

2. Will I lose my US citizenship if I become Spanish?

No. US law requires a voluntary and intentional act before a US consular officer to relinquish citizenship. A declaration made at a Spanish Civil Registry has no legal effect under US law. Americans regularly hold both nationalities.

3. I am German — can I become Spanish without losing my German nationality?

This requires advance planning. You must apply for a Beibehaltungsgenehmigung (permission to retain German nationality) from the German authorities before acquiring Spanish citizenship. If you do not obtain this permission, you will automatically lose your German nationality upon completing the Spanish oath ceremony. Consult both a German and a Spanish lawyer before proceeding.

4. What if I forget to renounce and Spain finds out?

If you were required to renounce your previous nationality but did not (or the renunciation had no legal effect in your country of origin), Spain can technically revoke your Spanish nationality after 3 years. In practice, this is extremely rare, but it is a risk that should be managed with professional legal advice.

5. Can my children automatically get dual nationality?

If one parent is Spanish and the other holds a nationality from a treaty country, the child can hold both nationalities from birth. For non-treaty country combinations, the child is usually registered as Spanish and may also hold the other nationality if that country’s law permits it. No active renunciation is required for minors.

Next Steps — Get Expert Legal Advice on Dual Nationality

Dual nationality between Spain and another country involves the interaction of two legal systems, and getting it wrong can mean losing a passport. At CostaLuz Lawyers, we advise clients from every major nationality group on the specific dual nationality implications of their citizenship application.

Need clarity on your dual nationality situation?

• Book a consultation — we will analyse your specific nationality combination and advise on risks
• WhatsApp us — for a quick question about your country
• Call us: +34 621 214 081

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