Fact check: Can you have dual citizenship woth Spain and USA?

1. Summary of the results

Based on the analyses provided, dual citizenship between Spain and the USA is technically possible but involves complex legal requirements. The situation presents a nuanced picture with conflicting information from different sources.

From the US perspective, the path appears clearer: US law does not impede its citizens' acquisition of foreign citizenship, and a US citizen may naturalize in a foreign state, such as Spain, without any risk to their US citizenship ^[1]. This suggests that the USA allows dual citizenship ^[2].

However, the Spanish side presents more complications. While some sources indicate that Spain allows dual citizenship with certain countries, including the US ^[3], the requirements are stringent. Spain does not routinely allow nationals of another country to acquire Spanish citizenship if they intend to retain their original nationality, which may apply to US citizens ^[4]. More specifically, nationals from non-listed countries, including the USA, must formally renounce their original citizenship to naturalize as Spanish citizens ^[5].

The contradiction becomes apparent when considering that when a US citizen naturalizes in Spain, they are generally required to renounce their US citizenship, unless they are from specific countries with dual citizenship agreements with Spain ^[6]. This suggests that the USA is not among the countries with formal dual citizenship agreements with Spain.

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

Several important pieces of context are missing from the original question:

• The Democratic Memory Law provides an alternative pathway, as there has been an extension of the deadline for Spanish nationality applications set out in the Democratic Memory Law ^[7], which may be relevant for individuals with Spanish ancestry ^[7].
• Statistical context shows that 76% of countries now accept dual citizenship ^[8], indicating this is becoming increasingly common globally.
• Multiple acquisition methods exist beyond naturalization, including acquisition through birth, naturalization, marriage, ancestry, or investment ^[2].
• Practical enforcement may differ from legal requirements, as some countries do not recognize dual nationality and may require individuals to renounce one citizenship if they want to become a citizen of the other country ^[2].

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original question itself does not contain misinformation, as it is simply an inquiry. However, the question's simplicity masks the complex legal reality that varies significantly depending on:

• The specific pathway to Spanish citizenship being pursued
• Whether the individual has Spanish ancestry (which could qualify them under the Democratic Memory Law)
• The practical enforcement of renunciation requirements by both countries
• The distinction between legal requirements and actual practice

The analyses reveal conflicting information between sources, with some suggesting dual citizenship is possible ^[3] while others emphasize the renunciation requirement ^{[5] [6]}. This inconsistency suggests that the legal landscape may be evolving or that different sources are interpreting the same laws differently.