Spain to fund return of 'Grandchildren Law' citizens

The Pedro Sánchez government has approved a new financial aid scheme in the Council of Ministers to fund the return to Spain of citizens with Spanish origin nationality, including descendants of emigrants who obtained it through the Grandchildren Law. This measure is part of the new Regulations developing the Statute of Spanish Citizenship Abroad and currently lacks specific amounts or beneficiary numbers.

## Return aid still without concrete figures

The Council of Ministers has greenlit a new economic benefit designed to facilitate the return to Spain of Spanish-origin nationals facing economic vulnerability. The initiative forms part of the new Regulations developing the Statute of Spanish Citizenship Abroad, which completes the implementation of **Law 40/2006** and consolidates various provisions on economic benefits, healthcare, subsidies, and return policies into a single rule.

The Executive has set a maximum deadline of **one year** to develop this benefit. It has not yet specified how much public money will be allocated or how many people will be eligible. Thus, the aid emerges as a legal framework without a closed budget.

## Grandchildren Law included in scope

The measure opens the door for descendants of emigrants who obtained nationality through the so-called Grandchildren Law to potentially benefit, provided they meet the requirements established by future regulations. That is, the scope is not limited to those who were already Spanish-origin nationals before using that mechanism, but extends to those who acquired nationality via this route.

The approved text does not detail the criteria for proving economic vulnerability or how the condition of being a Spanish-origin national will be verified in each application. These details are left for regulatory development.

## Regulation streamlines return policy

The new Regulations developing the Statute of Spanish Citizenship Abroad brings together in one rule matters previously scattered: economic benefits, healthcare, subsidies, and return policies. Creating specific aid for return is one of its main novelties.

The rule completes the development of **Law 40/2006**, approved two decades ago. The Government presents the measure as part of its return policy, although its real impact will depend on the budgetary allocation set in the coming months.