Spain: Information on whether a person born of a Spanish mother outside Spain is automatically considered a Spanish national
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 October 1993 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | ESP15321.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Spain: Information on whether a person born of a Spanish mother outside Spain is automatically considered a Spanish national, 1 October 1993, ESP15321.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6ab271f.html [accessed 14 October 2022] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
Please find attached a document faxed on 19 October 1993 by the Embassy of Spain in Ottawa which states that
all persons born of a Spanish mother before 1982 (Law 51/1982) cannot be considered Spanish, unless they have followed since their birth only mother's Spanish nationality. If not, he/she can acquire Spanish citizenship by right of option, according to present art. 20.2 a) of the Civil Code.
Please find attached Article 20 of the Civil Code faxed to the DIRB by the Embassy of Spain on 26 October 1993.
According to a representative of the embassy, in order for a person to acquire Spanish citizenship by right of option, he/she must reside in Spain for one year (26 Oct. 1993). However, to be allowed to reside in Spain he/she must provide the Spanish authorities with a proof of employment in order to obtain a working permit (Ibid.).
This response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.
References
Embassy of Spain, Ottawa. 26 October 1993. Telephone interview with representative.
Attachments
Embassy of Spain, Ottawa. 19 October 1993. Document faxed to the DIRB.
. 26 October 1993. Document faxed to the DIRB.
