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Thinking of starting fresh in Spain and leaving your old nationality behind? Whether you’re restructuring your life, applying for Spanish nationality, or aiming for a clean legal slate, it’s important to understand how to renounce your citizenship in Spain, and what that means for your original nationality.
Spain officially requires renunciation for most naturalization cases, but in reality, enforcement is often loose. Many expats retain their original nationality without consequence. Before making a permanent move, it helps to understand what renunciation really involves and how the process works.
This guide breaks it all down: when you need to renounce, what the process involves, and how to approach it with clarity and confidence.
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Who Needs to Renounce Their Citizenship?
Spain generally requires applicants to renounce their original nationality when applying for Spanish citizenship through naturalization. This rule applies to most non-EU nationals.
However, there are key exceptions:
- Dual nationality agreements: Citizens of Ibero-American countries, Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea, and Portugal do not need to renounce their citizenship.
Renouncing your citizenship is a serious legal decision. Depending on your home country, the process may be irreversible or come with tax or inheritance implications. Before proceeding, it’s important to understand exactly how renunciation works in Spain.
Spanish citizenship law can be tricky — get expert legal guidance for your citizenship application in Spain.
How Renunciation Works in Spain
Renunciation involves formally stating that you no longer wish to be considered a national of your country. This usually happens when the country granting you new citizenship, like Spain, requires it.
In Spain, this step is often symbolic. Usually, you do this at the Civil Registry or Spanish consulate and it consists of a simple declaration or oath. It does not involve surrendering your passport or formally cutting ties with your original country.
Learn more about the Spanish citizenship oath and what to expect.
If you want to legally give up your nationality in the eyes of your home country, you must follow that country’s own renunciation process. This usually involves contacting your country’s embassy or consulate in Spain, appearing in person, and submitting formal paperwork.
Will I Lose My Original Citizenship After I Renounce It in Spain?
Here’s the reality: your home country may not recognize the renunciation at all. Even after declaring it in Spain, you may still be considered a citizen under your original country’s laws. That means you could continue using your original passport, paying taxes, or even voting abroad, depending on your country’s rules.
What really matters is how you behave. If you continue to act like a national, using your original documents and maintaining ties, most countries will still view you that way.
In fact, many people maintain two parallel legal lives: one as a Spanish national within Spain and the EU, and another as a citizen of their country of origin elsewhere. Spain rarely enforces renunciation in practice, and loss of your former nationality is only likely if you stop using it altogether.
Before You Renounce Your Citizenship: Think Strategically
Renouncing your citizenship might sound like a permanent break, but for many, it’s simply a procedural step that the Spanish authorities require. In practice, it rarely cuts off access to your original citizenship rights, especially if you continue using your documents abroad.
At Lexidy, the goal is to guide you through every step with clarity and strategy. If you’re considering Spanish nationality and unsure how renunciation could affect your legal or personal situation, expert guidance can help you understand both the technical requirements and the real-world outcomes.
Ready to take the next step? Fill out the form below to get started with a legal consultation tailored to your case.