Why Does the Judge Speak So Much?
British clients who attend court in Spain often ask me the same question: “Why is the judge doing all the talking?” For anyone familiar with the English courtroom, where judges sit
16. October, 2025
OUR EXPERTISES > PRIVATE CLIENTS & FAMILIES
The Democratic Memory Law:
A pathway to Spanish Residency
The Democratic Memory Law (Ley 20/2022, de 19 de septiembre, de Memoria Democrática) offers descendants of Spanish citizens and International Brigade Volunteers’ descendants the opportunity to obtain Spanish nationality. This legislation aims to protect the citizenship rights of those affected by the Spanish Civil War and the Franco dictatorship by enabling them to reclaim their Spanish nationality. Rooted in principles of justice and reparations, it seeks to address the injustices suffered by both victims and their descendants.
Our Experts in The Democratic Memory Law
Building upon the 2007 Historical Memory Law (Ley 52/2007, de 26 de diciembre), which aimed to acknowledge the rights of victims of the Franco dictatorship, the Democratic Memory Law expands eligibility to second-generation descendants. During the Spanish Civil War and Franco’s regime, over 500,000 Spaniards sought refuge abroad, primarily in France and various Latin American nations. The 2007 law allowed first-generation descendants of these expatriates to acquire Spanish passports. Now, after 17 years, the Democratic Memory Law extends this provision to second-generation descendants.
It is important to note that The Democratic Memory Law:
- does not impose an age limit for nationality applicants,
- applicants do not need to renounce their current citizenship
- or pass a Spanish language test.
Our clients have the word
My wife and i recently obtained our Golden Visa TIE´s for which we would like to thank Del Canto Chambers for all the work they did to enable us to achieve this. A special thanks to Julia Moreno who diligently worked with us to make the application and subsequent approval as easy as possible.
Christopher Featherstone 
Fernando is very knowledgeable,helpful and opened to answer any queries via email or phone. The best Tax Lawyers, that gives you confidence and solution to whatever tax situation one might find themselves. Thanks again Fernando, I will continue to patronise your services.
Michael Coyle
You can more about what clients have to say, about working with Del Canto Chambers here below.
Are you eligible?
The Democratic Memory Law outlines several scenarios for granting Spanish nationality:
- Those born outside of Spain to parents or grandparents who were originally Spanish, AND those born outside of Spain to parents or grandparents who were originally Spanish and lost or renounced Spanish nationality due to exile for political, ideological, belief-based or sexual orientation reasons.
- Children born abroad to Spanish women who lost their nationality due to marriage to foreigners before the 1978 Constitution came into force.
- Children of parents who obtained Spanish nationality under the 2007 Historical Memory Law (Seventh Additional Provision of Law 52/2007 of 26 December).
- International Brigade Volunteers and their descendants. Volunteers (and their descendants) who were members of the International Brigades during the Spanish Civil War from 1936 to 1939 may acquire Spanish nationality through naturalisation. Further information on this case can be found here.
The Democratic Memory Law and International Brigade Volunteers
Article 33 of the Democratic Memory Law grants Spanish nationality to volunteer members of the International Brigades, acknowledging exceptional circumstances for their acquisition of Spanish nationality. It states: “For Article 21.1 of the Civil Code, exceptional circumstances are understood to exist in the volunteer members of the International Brigades who participated in the War from 1936 to 1939 for the acquisition of Spanish nationality by naturalisation, with the requirement of renunciation of their previous nationality required in Article 23.b) of the Civil Code not applying to them. Likewise, it will be understood that the same circumstances exist in the descendants of the brigadistas who demonstrate a continued work of disseminating the memory of their ancestors and the defence of democracy in Spain.”
Deadline
The Spanish Government has announced an extension of the deadline to apply for nationality under the Democratic Memory Law until October 2025. This extension offers applicants an additional year to submit Spanish nationality applications.
What makes Del Canto Chambers the right choice for you?
Del Canto Chambers’ dual-qualified, multilingual tax lawyers have handled over 500 complex cases from Europe, the Middle East, Latin America, and Asia. Discerning London-based and international clients, corporations, solicitors, and tax advisors count on our expertise.
Del Canto Chambers' services
Del Canto Chambers has a specialised professional team of legal experts ready and eager to assist the sons, daughters and grandchildren of Spanish citizens, as well as members of the International Brigades and their descendants, with their Spanish nationality applications. We invite you to contact one of our expert lawyers via phone or email for a free consultation.
GET IN TOUCH
Let us guide you on our service for the Democratic Memory Law
Del Canto Chambers specialists are constantly up to date with new legislative changes and aware of any Spanish tax and legal implications. Contact our Spanish legal and tax specialists to find out the best tax planning and corporate structures in your circumstances.
Testimonials
We bought our property near Alicante in 2007 with a mortgage through Banco Guipuzcoano the bank was later absorbed by Banco Sabadell. I read in the press about the mortgage Floor Clauses and Mortgage Expenses applied by the banks which the Spanish Courts have judged illegal. We redeemed our mortgage in 2017 with the bank. I contacted Del Canto who managed our claim front to back with no need for us to go over to Spain. The result is the return of £19k to us. Julio Prieto and the team in Spain and the UK kept us informed throughout process. I am therefore very happy to recommend Del Canto Chambers.We can recommend Del Canto Chambers and would not hesitate in using them in the future for any further legal work we require.
Owen Stafford 
Wow, what a refreshing experience – from start to finish the Del Canto team were extremely professional, responsive, knowledgeable and supportive throughout the process of forming a Spanish company and helping transition of our working lives from the UK.
Julio in particular went beyond expectations to coordinate everything efficiently. Thank you!
The meeting was encouraging so we formally instructed them to act on our behalf to pursue a claim against the Menorcan bank.
During the investigation we were kept up to date regularly and after delays created by the pandemic, we finally heard the Spanish High Court had found on our behalf and award a substantial amount.
So a very big thank you to all the team and wish them well for the future.
Andy Wright
Del Canto Chambers helped our Firm with the Spanish tax and legal advice necessary to establish our operations in Spain. I highly recommend their services.
Sena Tokel
My wife and i recently obtained our Golden Visa TIE´s for which we would like to thank Del Canto Chambers for all the work they did to enable us to achieve this. A special thanks to Julia Moreno who diligently worked with us to make the application and subsequent approval as easy as possible.
Julio in particular went beyond expectations to coordinate everything efficiently. Thank you!
The meeting was encouraging so we formally instructed them to act on our behalf to pursue a claim against the Menorcan bank.
During the investigation we were kept up to date regularly and after delays created by the pandemic, we finally heard the Spanish High Court had found on our behalf and award a substantial amount.
So a very big thank you to all the team and wish them well for the future.
Christopher Featherstone
Del Canto Chambers has a 5/5-stars client satisfaction on Google Review
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