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Key Takeaways:
- The Democratic Memory Law created a temporary, simplified path to Spanish citizenship for descendants of Spanish Civil War and Franco-era exiles, allowing eligible individuals to live and work in Spain without relying on traditional work visa routes.
- The application window for this citizenship pathway closed on 21 October 2025, and as of 2026, no new applications are accepted; authorities are only processing cases submitted before the deadline.
- Employers in Spain can no longer rely on this route for new hires, and must instead plan recruitment using standard Spanish work permits unless a candidate already holds Spanish citizenship or has an approved application.
- Jobbatical help companies navigate Spain’s post-2025 immigration landscape, offering compliant work permit, residence, and relocation support for international talent.
The Spanish government's Democratic Memory Law (Ley 20/2022, de Memoria Democrática), enacted in 2022 (building on the 2021 framework), offered a simplified path to Spanish citizenship for descendants of exiles from the Spanish Civil War and Franco's dictatorship.
This law created a convenient pathway for eligible individuals to gain the right to live, work, and study in Spain (and the EU) without renouncing other nationalities. It presented an attractive option for businesses seeking to hire foreign talent in Spain, serving as an alternative to standard work visas or other immigration routes.
The application window for new claims under the law's special provisions (Additional Provision Eight) closed on October 22, 2025, with no further extensions announced by the Spanish government. New applications are no longer accepted as of late 2025. However, individuals who requested appointments or submitted applications before the deadline can continue processing (often with appointments scheduled into later years and resolutions potentially extending to 2028 or beyond due to backlogs).
Who was eligible? (under the now-closed special pathway)
- Descendants (including children and grandchildren) of Spanish individuals exiled for political, ideological, belief-related reasons, or due to sexual orientation and identity.
- Children born abroad to Spanish women who lost their nationality by marrying foreigners before 1978.
- Adult children of Spaniards who regained nationality under previous Memory Laws.
- Individuals who obtained Spanish nationality under the Memory Laws and wished to adjust their status to "nationality of origin."
With the special Democratic Memory Law pathway now expired in 2026, Jobbatical encourages companies in Spain to explore other global mobility options for attracting and relocating international talent. Standard Spanish citizenship by descent (for direct children of Spanish citizens) remains available without a deadline under the Civil Code, as do other routes like residency leading to naturalization, marriage to a Spanish citizen, or investment-based options.
Jobbatical specializes in end-to-end global mobility, providing full support for the relocation of professionals to Spain—for both employers and employees. Our expert team handles all immigration, visa, and settling-in procedures, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable experience for your hires. Schedule a free consultation to discuss the best solutions tailored to your company's needs in 2026 and beyond.
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