What is the Grandchildren's Law? Broadly speaking, it is a regulation that extends reparation to victims beyond the mere granting of Spanish nationality to their descendants, combining three assumptions to facilitate the obtaining of nationality in accordance with the Law of Historical Memory. The latter has been in force since December 2008.

The Law of Democratic Memory, officially enacted in October 2022, initiated the second procedure to grant nationality to persons born outside Spain to ascendants who originally would have had Spanish nationality, but emigrated for economic reasons, as well as to those born to parents or grandparents who suffered exile due to political, ideological, belief or sexual identity factors.

Therefore, as of October 2022 and until October 2024, those who can trace their ancestry back to Spaniards who were forced to leave Spain after the Civil War (1936-1939) and during the subsequent dictatorship, will meet the requirements to obtain a Spanish passport.

We have written several articles on the new Grandchildren Law to try to explain its impact and processing. Here, the most read articles of 2023 in our blog:

1. What do we know about the 'Grandchildren Bill'? The wait has been interminable, and the discussions between the Spanish government and its parliamentary allies have been long, contentious and exhausting. So much so that the process seemed to have stalled months ago. However, the Grandchildren's Law has become a reality, allowing people of Spanish descent to apply for Spanish nationality, even if their ancestors lost it for political, ideological, religious or sexual orientation and identity reasons.
2. Grandchildren's Law: it's not as hard as you think Now you can obtain Spanish nationality in a wider variety of cases thanks to the new Law of Democratic Memory. We let you in on a little secret: doing so is easier than you think.
3. Improve your chances of successfully filing the Grandchildren's Act with these three tips Here we summarize the three crucial factors for success when applying for Spanish nationality through the new Grandchildren Law. More information.
4. 10 key statistics everyone should know about the Grandchildren's Act: With 10 key statistics, we provide you with all the information you need about the Democratic Memory Law, including who can apply, when you can apply and the most effective way to apply.

The popular Grandchildren's Law, in force for several months now, has extended the options of obtaining Spanish nationality to the descendants of those who were forced to leave Spain during Franco's tyranny and the Civil War.

In 2023, a total of 182.400 people filed applications for Spanish nationality. Of all applications, 51% (91.996) have been approved. Among these people, two-thirds (57.585) are daughters or granddaughters of Spaniards of origin, and have been officially registered in the consular records of their respective places of birth and residence, according to the diplomatic information office.

Relatives of Spaniards in exile will have a period of 2 years from October 21, 2022, the date of entry into force of the law, to submit all the required documentation. However, this period could be extended for another year if authorized by the Spanish Government's Council of Ministers.