Else Beekman
Spain and Romania are working on a final agreement that would allow over 600,000 Romanian residents in Spain to obtain dual nationality. Despite ongoing negotiations and multiple draft exchanges between both governments, a formal agreement is yet to be finalised.
Romanians form the second-largest foreign community in Spain, with 620,463 residents, following the Moroccan population of 920,693. The Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, led by José Manuel Albares, has confirmed that discussions are progressing, raising hopes for a resolution in the near future.
Negotiations and political commitments
The potential for dual nationality was first discussed publicly in mid-2024 when Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu announced that Romanian nationals in Spain could obtain dual citizenship by the end of the year. After a meeting with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez in Bucharest, Ciolacu expressed optimism about the ongoing negotiations.
However, as of early 2025, no final agreement has been reached. Some Romanian residents in Spain, such as Vlad Virgil Cocinschi, a nurse living in Castellón since 2002, have refrained from applying for Spanish nationality due to the requirement to renounce their Romanian citizenship. Many hope that the anticipated agreement will eliminate this dilemma.
Challenges and current alternatives
While Romanian nationals in Spain currently enjoy many rights as EU citizens, dual nationality would provide additional benefits. Romanians would get broader access to government jobs and the ability to participate in national elections. Some Romanians have attempted to retain their original nationality by delaying the official renunciation process, but this loophole could result in the withdrawal of Spanish nationality in legal terms.
Spain already has dual nationality agreements with several countries, including France, Portugal, Andorra, and many Latin American nations. These agreements allow nationals to retain their original citizenship while enjoying full rights in Spain. If the agreement with Romania is finalised, it would align the status of Romanian residents with these existing treaties.
Political context and future prospects
The discussions on dual nationality take place within a broader political framework. During his visit to Romania, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez emphasised the importance of social democracy in addressing migration and other global challenges. He argued that effective governance is the best response to the rise of far-right populism in Europe.