Final Countdown for Cubans Seeking Spanish Citizenship: Essential Steps Before October

Time is slipping away for Cubans aiming to secure Spanish citizenship under the Law of Democratic Memory. With the deadline looming on October 22, 2025, there are just over two months left. Many descendants of Spaniards in Cuba and some residing abroad, have not yet managed to initiate the process. Without credentials or a confirmed appointment, they will be left out as no extensions have been announced so far.

Since late July, all procedures must be handled through the new digital system of the General Consulate of Spain in Havana. The previous method of using email is no longer available. Former credentials will expire on the same day the law ceases to be in effect.

Transition to the New Appointment System

The updated system offers several functionalities:

• Request credentials via an online form.
• Submit multiple applications from the same email (with continuous access).
• Automatically receive a digital receipt with an electronic signature, valid even if the in-person appointment is scheduled after October 22.

Applicants who submitted their request using the previous system do not need to reapply. They will receive their receipts in chronological order, along with a username and password when applicable. The consulate clarified that the new system honors the order of prior submissions. However, the absence of automatic responses in the old method left many without proof of having started the process.

This uncertainty and urgency to begin the application process have sparked a black market for credentials and fake documents, with prices reaching hundreds or thousands of euros. The consulate emphasizes that only information published on their official website and social media is legitimate.

Guidance to Prevent Mistakes

Attorney and Law of Grandchildren expert, Mario Dueñas, points out that many rejections occur due to basic errors:

• Illegible documents: All data must be clearly visible when scanned or photographed.
• Photo of the applicant with their ID: The camera should focus on the ID card, not the face.
• Incorrectly written data: Mistakes in names, numbers, or punctuation can invalidate the application.

Those interested in acquiring Spanish citizenship through the Law of Grandchildren must strictly adhere to the consulate's official guide and carefully review each document before submission. Since the start of the year, falsifications of birth and baptismal certificates, particularly in Galician archives, have been detected. Legitimate documents, obtainable in Spain for 10 euros, are sold in Cuba for up to 3,000 euros. Measures to prevent forgeries have been tightened both inside and outside the island, slowing down the process.

Plan to Avoid Exclusion

Cubans of Spanish descent wishing to start this procedure should urgently gather necessary documents, a daunting task on the island where civil registry offices often lack even basic services like electricity. Once the challenge of obtaining essential documents, such as the Spanish grandfather's birth certificate and those of other involved relatives, is overcome, attention should be paid to these steps:

• Register now in the consulate's new appointment system.
• Ensure that your data and documents meet technical requirements.
• Keep the electronic receipt as proof of starting the process.
• Avoid intermediaries and "express" offers to expedite the process.

Despite ongoing criticism over delays and disorganization, this law remains an opportunity for descendants of Spaniards to gain citizenship. For many Cubans, becoming a Spanish citizen means not only reconnecting with their roots but also gaining greater mobility, legal security, and a different future. The clock is ticking, and every day counts in this scenario.