The consular office is facing a high volume of applications for Spanish citizenship following the Democratic Memory Law. An estimated 300 Cubans have requested the nationality of their parents or grandparents.
Starting next month, the process of applying for Spanish nationality at the Spanish Consulate General in Cuba will be much easier. At least as far as obtaining appointments to submit applications is concerned.
Starting May 5, the Spanish Consulate General in Havana will open 336 new weekly appointments for the submission of files under the Democratic Memory Law. The measure represents a 27,2% increase in capacity and has been confirmed by the diplomatic mission itself through its official X (formerly Twitter) account.
This increase responds to strong demand from descendants of Spaniards living in Cuba, who see this as an option for acquiring Spanish citizenship. The Democratic Memory Law allows children and grandchildren of those exiled for political or ideological reasons during the Civil War and the Franco dictatorship to apply for Spanish nationality.
Delays and disorganization persist in the process
Although the increase in appointments has been welcomed, many applicants believe the measure is overdue and fails to address the main problems in the process. The consulate's social media and applicant forums have received hundreds of complaints about processing delays, lack of clear information, and, especially, the failure to deliver certified copies once the application is complete.
One of the most sensitive issues is the delay in issuing the birth certificates needed to continue the process in Spain, particularly for obtaining the National Identity Document (DNI) and passport. Some people have been waiting months for this essential document after having been approved.
Alleged irregularities in the order of processing are also being reported. Several people claim that their cases, submitted more than a year ago, have not moved forward, while other more recent cases have already been processed. These discrepancies have raised concerns about transparency and the criteria used to process cases.
Fear of the deadline
Added to all this is the pressure of the calendar. The Democratic Memory Law establishes October 22, 2025 as the deadline for submitting applications. Many fear missing out, despite having started the process well in advance. They are requesting, at the very least, that the delivery of credentials and key documentation be expedited so they can continue the process from Spain or prepare for a future trip.
The consulate has yet to publicly respond to the recent criticism, but widespread discontent is growing. The prospect of becoming naturalized as Spaniards by historical right has become, for many Cubans, a race against time fraught with bureaucratic obstacles.
What you should know if you want to apply
To request an appointment and begin the process under this law, specific requirements established by the Spanish government must be met. Official information and the procedure are available on the website of the Consulate General of Spain in Havana:
Exteriores.gob.es – Nationality under the Democratic Memory Law
The increase in appointments may temporarily alleviate demand, but users insist that without a real improvement in response times and effective document delivery, the measure will be insufficient.
Starting May 5, 336 more people per week will be able to submit their Democratic Memory Law applications, representing a 27,2% increase.
Requirements and procedure to make an appointment: https://t.co/IH50TCZp5K pic.twitter.com/ktSI5zQgA4
— ConsEspLaHabana (@ConsEspLaHabana) April 25, 2025
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14 comments
I'm still calm, waiting for the literal is impossible before October and also impossible because everything is very slow, just like here in Spain, crossing your arms without hope.
People without electricity are dying of dengue fever because of the Spanish Consulate.
The backlog isn't just in credentials; it's in the entire process. Appointments will now increase, and many will certainly benefit. But the bottleneck to complete the process will be chaotic.
My son was denied because his first name is short and his last name is short, less than the 16 characters requested. Could you explain this to me? That's his first name, and his last name is the only one, please. He's been in the process since December 2022, and he still hasn't even submitted his credentials. I want to know what's going on with that? I would be very grateful for your review and response.
what is needed is to streamline the processes there are people who have already gone to the first appointment since August 2024, and are still waiting to receive the email to know the volume and folio. and they are still waiting, now they have published that cbis the method through a code that will facilitate digital registration to continue with the process which is an appointment to request a passport. The implementation of this platform is very good but when will they send it to all those who have already been waiting for eight months and nine to carry out the procedures they need. Since it is automated, the response should be automatic from the moment their data is entered into the system for digital registration, they receive the code and thus the ones who have been waiting would be streamlined, which is the guarantee of optimal completion of the process with quality. many of them have minors who are another equal process waiting for volume and folio to return to the same odyssey which is from sending credentials to obtaining by law 36 the documents of the minor that perhaps took another year and they continue without a more effective analysis. We hope our concerns are resolved. Thank you.
Yes, it's good to have more appointments, but what about the assignment of credentials? What is the reason why there are days when there are no appointments? Expedite credentials that are due in March 2024 and the appointments together.
Good evening, I think the biggest bottleneck is in sending credentials, a year or more of waiting. I think they should work on streamlining them, that's where the biggest problem lies. Thank you very much.
Likewise, what we need is not appointments, but credentials to be able to make the appointments.
They have been talking about making the procedures easier for a while, but the deadline is almost up and it is quite the opposite.
And what about people like me whose grandfather is already registered at the consulate and yet they ask me for a recent certificate when the one I have is from 2011, through which 3 of my cousins became citizens…
The consulate needs to take action and make positive changes, as the delays are abysmal and they're silent. We know nothing about our processes. Since they don't update the website, we don't know the status of the file. Credentials are issued only when they see fit, and hundreds of appointments are missed because they simply don't provide enough credentials; which is illogical given that so many are ignored and unanswered.
The process in Cuba has been a mess. They promised to open another consulate (they'd been talking about it in 3), and then they went to sea. Nothing happened. Promises that are forgotten (by them, because we don't forget anything).
What's going on with the Camagüey consulate not opening? 🤷♀️
What's happening with the issuance of credentials in Cuba? 🤷♀️
What's up with Dicireg? They don't send enough letters? 🤷♀️
What's happening with minors' appointments, visas, and legalizations that no one can see? 🤷♀️
There are no answers. Only abuse.
HELLO, GOOD MORNING. NEXT 4TH I WILL BE 11 MONTHS SINCE I HAD BEEN AT THE CONSULATE APPOINTMENT IN HAVANA, AND ONLY ON A FEW OCCASIONS I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO SEE ON THE PAGE THAT MY FILE IS IN PROCESS. THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO AFTER MY APPOINTMENT DATE, THAT IS, 4/6/2024, HAVE ALREADY RECEIVED THE VERIFICATION.
I received the credentials after 11 months of sending the PDF. I already went to the appointment and I didn't have any requirements. Does that mean that since I'm registered, now I'm just waiting for the volume and folio, which from what they say or see will take 10 months, then a few more months to conclude? It seems to me that with the slowness with which they process the documentation, 4 years would not be enough time to complete the processing of the grandchildren law. I'm asking if they intend to shorten these times?
Good afternoon, it's something unusual. There are appointments for April 28th, that is, next luneyes I don't know orcupThey will do so because what they do not receive are credentials that lack respect