Thousands of Cubans, descendants of Asturian emigrants and other Spanish communities, have been ensnared in a bureaucratic labyrinth for years as they attempt to secure Spanish citizenship.
This past Wednesday, the newspaper La Nueva España unveiled the arduous journey behind Spain's "Grandchildren Law." The report depicts a consulate in Havana overwhelmed by over 350,000 requests—estimates suggest up to 600,000—amidst a humanitarian crisis on the island that turns every procedure into an epic challenge.
The Democratic Memory Law (LMD), which opened the door to Spanish citizenship for the descendants of emigrants, closed its application window in October 2025.
However, the sheer volume of accumulated paperwork has exceeded the consular capacity. Cuba ranks as the second-highest country in the world for application numbers, trailing only Argentina. Waiting times in Havana stretch to three years with no promise of resolution.
In October 2024, the General Council of Spanish Citizenship Abroad warned that, at the current pace, it could take up to twenty years to process all the global backlogged applications.
"When the LMD was announced, we began the cumbersome task of lining up at Cuban civil registries and the local police for the paperwork. It took us three months just to stand in line for the documents. That was in February 2023. Our entire family spent a year to legalize and arrange everything. The ordeal was terrible, to say the least," a Cuban resident shared with the Spanish publication.
This individual submitted the complete dossier in February 2024 and attended the consular appointment in March 2025, but by mid-2026, they are still without a response.
"We have no idea at which stage our process stands because even the consulate's website isn't updated. As of now, we've been waiting anxiously for two years and nearly four months," he said.
He suspects that his adult children won't acquire Spanish citizenship before 2030 "with an optimistic forecast."
Another descendant of Asturians who finally secured citizenship in December 2025, after almost three years of processing—waiting a year and four months just for an appointment—now faces a new series of hurdles.
"It's been nearly three years, and I'm still not done. Now we're dealing with residence visa procedures to travel to Asturias, where my family is from."
Estela Marina Pérez Cabrera, a Cuban lawyer who acquired Spanish nationality and serves as president of the Association of Descendants of Spaniards in the World (ADEM), has publicly condemned how a law born with ideals of "reparation, historical justice, and democratic memory" has morphed into a "Kafkaesque labyrinth of endless waits."
Pérez Cabrera highlights that the Cuban crisis amplifies each bureaucratic hurdle.
"Cuba is a surreal country. Firstly, there is a critical energy situation. In the provinces, people cannot enter or leave without government authorization. Naturally, this delays everything," said the lawyer.
For elderly Cubans, awaiting a Spanish passport as their only means of escaping the island, bureaucracy not only steals their time but also extinguishes their hope and that of their families.
"When an elderly applicant dies before submitting their application, the entire family is left vulnerable. Adult children who could have applied for citizenship under the parent’s claim are excluded. The appointment dies with the applicant. The hope dies with them."
"Returning to the land of their ancestors is the real driving force for Spanish descendants, beyond the Spanish passport being a potential lifeline for them and their families," Pérez Cabrera stated.
She pointed out that these individuals "can no longer live in their birth country," as in present-day Cuba, people barely survive, and the elderly are likely the most vulnerable demographic.
Understanding the Bureaucratic Challenges for Spanish Citizenship in Cuba
What is the Grandchildren Law?
The Grandchildren Law, known as the Democratic Memory Law (LMD), allows children and grandchildren of Spanish emigrants to apply for Spanish citizenship. It was enacted as part of Spain's effort to address historical injustices and closed its application period in October 2025.
Why is there a delay in processing applications in Cuba?
Delays are due to the overwhelming number of applications, with Cuba being the second highest in the world, and the limited capacity of the consulate in Havana. Other factors include Cuba's internal crisis, which complicates bureaucratic processes further.
What challenges do applicants face during the process?
Applicants face long waiting periods, unclear process status, and additional hurdles such as securing residence visas. The bureaucratic system in Cuba exacerbates these challenges, making it difficult for applicants to proceed smoothly.
What happens if an elderly applicant dies before submitting their application?
If an elderly applicant passes away before their application is processed, their family is left unprotected. Adult children lose the opportunity to claim citizenship under the parent's application, as the appointment and hope expire with the applicant.