EU nationals and Spanish naturalisation

Key rules

• Home country decides: Whether you keep your nationality depends on your home country's law, and EU states differ.
• Germany: Germany generally allows multiple nationalities from 27 June 2024, so a German naturalising in Spain keeps German citizenship.
• Netherlands: A Dutch citizen normally loses Dutch nationality unless an exception, such as marriage to a Spaniard, fits.
• France and Italy: Both allow dual nationality, so naturalising in Spain does not cost you your nationality.
• Spain's renunciation: Spain normally asks you to renounce your previous nationality at the oath stage, which is separate from your home country's rule.

The short answer

EU states differ. Some let you keep your nationality when you take another. Others take it away when you voluntarily acquire another nationality. Your home country decides this, not Spain. Check your own country's rule before you apply, because a loss is hard to undo.

Spain adds its own step. If you naturalise by residence, you are normally asked to renounce your previous nationality at the oath stage. There are exceptions for Ibero-American countries and a few others. Whether your home country then treats you as still its citizen is a separate question. Confirm the Spanish renunciation step with the Registro Civil that handles your file.

Germans

Germany now generally allows multiple nationalities. A reform that took effect on 27 June 2024 means a German who naturalises in Spain no longer loses German citizenship automatically.

Before that date, a German lost citizenship on voluntarily acquiring another nationality, unless they had first obtained a retention permit (Beibehaltungsgenehmigung). If you acquired another nationality before 27 June 2024, the old rule applies to you. EU citizens were not exempt from the old rule.

Dutch citizens

The Netherlands is stricter. A Dutch citizen who voluntarily takes another nationality normally loses Dutch nationality automatically. You keep it only if an exception fits. The main ones are:

• You were born in Spain and live there.
• You lived in Spain for five years before reaching adulthood.
• You are married to, or a registered partner of, a Spanish national.
• You have already kept Dutch nationality under other rules.

Living in the Netherlands also matters. If you want to keep Dutch nationality, check that you qualify before you naturalise. The Dutch rules have been under discussion for reform, so confirm the current text with the Dutch embassy or the Dutch immigration service (IND).

French citizens

France allows dual nationality. Naturalising in Spain does not take away your French nationality. You would lose it only by a specific step, such as a formal declaration renouncing it.

Italian citizens

Italy also allows dual nationality. You keep Italian citizenship unless you expressly renounce it. Italian rules require you to use your Italian passport to enter and leave Italy.

Other EU countries

Many other states allow it, including Ireland, Portugal, Belgium, Sweden, Finland, Greece, Cyprus, Malta and Romania. Others usually take nationality away on voluntary naturalisation abroad, including Austria, Estonia, Lithuania and Slovakia. Denmark and Latvia have limited exceptions. These rules change and the exceptions are detailed, so ask your country's embassy or consulate in Spain before you apply.

The decision and FAQ below help you work out which case you are in.

Choosing between options

What happens to your nationality if you naturalise in Spain as an EU citizen?

• Your home country lets you keep your nationality: You are French or Italian, or German acquiring Spanish nationality after 27 June 2024. Your home country does not remove your citizenship.

• You keep it only if an exception fits: You are Dutch. You lose Dutch nationality automatically unless an exception applies, for example you are married to or a registered partner of a Spaniard, or you lived in Spain for five years before adulthood.

• Your home country may withdraw your nationality: Your country restricts dual nationality, such as Austria, Estonia, Lithuania or Slovakia, or you are German and acquired another nationality before 27 June 2024 without a prior retention permit.

Check your home country's rule first: if it lets you keep your nationality, you keep it; if it does not, you lose it unless an exception or a prior permit applies. If you are in the third group, ask your embassy before you apply.

Frequently asked questions

Does a German keep German nationality after naturalising in Spain?

Yes, a German who becomes Spanish after 27 June 2024 keeps German nationality, because Germany now generally allows multiple nationalities. Before that date, a German lost citizenship automatically unless a retention permit had been granted beforehand. If you acquired another nationality earlier, the old rule applies to you.

Can a Dutch citizen keep Dutch nationality when becoming Spanish?

Only in some cases, because a Dutch citizen who voluntarily takes another nationality normally loses Dutch nationality automatically. Exceptions include being married to, or a registered partner of, a Spanish national, or having lived in Spain for five years before reaching adulthood. Check your eligibility before you naturalise.

Do French and Italian citizens lose their nationality when naturalising in Spain?

No, neither France nor Italy takes away your nationality when you voluntarily acquire another one. Italians must still use their Italian passport to enter and leave Italy. Loss happens only if you expressly renounce.

Which other EU countries let their nationals keep their nationality?

Many do, including Ireland, Portugal, Belgium, Sweden, Finland, Greece, Cyprus, Malta and Romania. Austria, Estonia, Lithuania and Slovakia usually treat voluntary naturalisation abroad as a reason for loss. Denmark and Latvia have limited exceptions, so ask your home country's embassy.