Spanish Consulate Delays Jeopardize Future of 500,000 Citizenship Applicants
Delays at Spanish Consulates Threaten Citizenship Hopes for Hundreds of Thousands
Administrative backlogs at Spanish consulates around the world are threatening the future of over half a million citizenship applicants, with the most severe delays reported in Latin America and the United States. According to El País, of the 680,000 total applications submitted under the Democratic Memory Law, only 30% (approximately 200,400 applicants) have received a decision, while the remaining 474,000 are still pending.
Havana Consulate Faces Critical Delays
The Spanish Consulate General in Havana has emerged as one of the most severely affected locations. Since the Democratic Memory Law came into force in 2022—granting Spanish citizenship to descendants of those persecuted during the Spanish Civil War—nearly 87,000 applications have been submitted from Cuba.
While 56% of these applications were quickly registered, the initial processing and appointment scheduling remains slow, with applicants reporting wait times of up to 10 months just to receive credentials needed for an in-person appointment.
The Association of Spanish Descendants in the World (ADEM) has described the situation in Havana as “critical.” Its president, Estela Marina Pérez, warned that many Cubans who began their applications nearly a year ago are still waiting to proceed and risk missing the deadline.
Clock Ticking Toward October 2025 Deadline
The Democratic Memory Law is set to expire in October 2025, giving applicants only a limited window to complete their submissions. With the slow pace of registration and approvals, thousands may be left out due to administrative delays alone.
Minimal Progress at Other Key Consulates
The issue extends far beyond Cuba. In São Paulo, Brazil, which has received nearly 55,000 applications, only 4.5% have been registered. Other consulates experiencing major delays include those in Mexico, Miami, Bogotá, and Montevideo.
Although the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs has responded by increasing staff by 35% in Havana and pledging to implement new digital tools to streamline appointments, the efforts have yet to yield noticeable improvements for many applicants.
Frustration Mounts Among Applicants
Despite government assurances, thousands remain in limbo, concerned that they may be denied the opportunity to reclaim Spanish citizenship—not due to ineligibility, but because of bureaucratic bottlenecks.
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