How to Renounce Your Original Nationality When Acquiring Spanish Citizenship if There Is No Agreement

Acquiring Spanish citizenship is a significant milestone, but it comes with specific legal requirements. One of the most important, and often misunderstood, is the need to renounce your previous nationality. This is a mandatory step for citizens of countries that do not have a dual nationality agreement with Spain.

This article, based on the Spanish Civil Code, explains the process and its implications.

The General Rule: Renunciation as a Requirement

According to Article 23.b of the Spanish Civil Code, a key requirement for acquiring Spanish citizenship by residency is that the applicant "declares that they renounce their previous nationality."

This is not a mere formality. It is a sworn declaration made before a Spanish official, typically at the Civil Registry, during the final step of the process when you take your oath of allegiance to the King and promise to obey the Spanish Constitution and laws. Spain considers this declaration sufficient for its own legal purposes; you are not usually required to present a certificate from your country of origin confirming the renunciation.

Who Is Exempt from Renunciation?

The requirement to renounce is not universal. The law provides clear exceptions for nationals of specific countries with which Spain maintains historical and cultural ties.

According to Article 24.1, you are not required to renounce your original nationality if you are a citizen of:

• Ibero-American countries
• Andorra
• The Philippines
• Equatorial Guinea
• Portugal

Additionally, as stated in Article 23.b, Sephardic Jews of Spanish origin who acquire citizenship are also exempt from this requirement. If you are not from one of these countries, you must proceed with the renunciation.

Consequences of Not Respecting the Renunciation

While Spain may not police your actions in your home country, there are serious long-term consequences for failing to respect your declaration.

Article 25.1.a of the Civil Code is very clear: Spaniards who are not Spanish by origin will lose their Spanish citizenship if, for a period of three years, they "exclusively use the nationality to which they had declared to renounce upon acquiring Spanish nationality."

This means that if you formally renounced your original citizenship but continue to use its passport for international travel or identify yourself solely with that nationality for official purposes, you risk having your Spanish citizenship revoked. It is crucial to understand that your declaration is a binding legal act with lasting effects.

Written by:
Ariana Pérez
Visa and Residency Lawyer
Publication date: Oct. 19, 2026

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