Spain’s Congress Justice Committee has approved a bill that would allow tens of thousands of Sahrawis born in the Moroccan Sahara during the period of Spanish administration, as well as their direct descendants, to obtain Spanish nationality.
The measure passed the committee with 19 votes in favor, three against and 15 abstentions, clearing the way for consideration by the full Congress in September. If approved by the lower house, the bill would then proceed to the Senate.
The far-right Vox was the only party to vote against the bill, while the conservative Popular Party, or PP, abstained despite having previously opposed the committee report. The measure is backed by the governing Socialists, Sumar and several regional parties.
Under the latest version of the bill, Sahrawis born in the former Spanish territory before Sept. 29, 1977, would be eligible to apply for Spanish nationality, even if they do not currently have legal residence in Spain.
The legislation also establishes a route for first-degree descendants of eligible Sahrawis to obtain nationality. Supporters estimate that around 70,000 people born in the former colony could benefit directly, while the number of potential beneficiaries could rise to between 100,000 and 200,000 when descendants are included.
The Sept. 29, 1977, cutoff reflects the expiration of a previous period during which Sahrawis could opt for Spanish nationality following Spain’s withdrawal from Sahara.
The PP had supported the bill when Congress first agreed to consider it in February 2025 but later voted against the committee report. María Jesús Moro, the party’s spokeswoman, said the PP continues to support its 2016 position of allowing Sahrawis to access Spanish nationality through a reduced two-year legal-residence requirement, similar to the system available to nationals of several former Spanish territories and Latin American countries.
Vox lawmaker Carlos Flores said the party supports the Sahrawi people but opposes the bill.
The Justice Committee also rejected amendments proposed by the Socialist Party that would have replaced references to the “Sahrawi people” in the bill’s preamble with “Sahrawi population” or “Sahrawis.” The proposed changes were reportedly intended to avoid tensions with Morocco.
The committee approved other changes, including extending the period between publication of the law in Spain’s official gazette and its entry into force from two to four months.
Applicants would be able to prove that they or their parents were born in the Sahara during the relevant period using documents including Spanish identity cards, United Nations registration records, legalized birth certificates, family records, driving licenses, pension documents and other records issued by Spanish authorities.
Those eligible would have three years after the law enters into force to submit applications, with the period extendable by an additional year. Applications could be submitted through the Spanish Justice Ministry’s electronic platform.
The bill would also amend Spain’s nationality law to allow Sahrawis legally residing in Spain to apply for nationality after two years of legal residence, rather than the standard 10-year period. This would place them under the same reduced-residence rule currently applicable to nationals of several Latin American countries, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea and Portugal, as well as Sephardic Jews.
The legislation has not yet become law. It must first be approved by the full Congress and then complete its passage through the Senate before it can take effect.
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