Full Breakdown
Spain Moves Toward Granting Citizenship to Western Saharans Amid Morocco Tensions
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Legislative Approval
On September 10, 2026, Spain’s lower house approved a bill to grant Spanish nationality to people born in Western Sahara before September 29, 1977 and to their descendants. The vote was 168 in favour, 31 against, with either 145 or 147 members abstaining, depending on the source. The measure now proceeds to the Senate.
Historical and Territorial Context
Western Sahara was administered by Spain from 1884 until the 1975 Madrid Accords, after which Morocco assumed control. The United Nations lists the area as a non-self-governing territory. Morocco claims sovereignty, while the Algeria-backed Polisario Front seeks independence for the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic.
Eligibility Criteria and Estimated Beneficiaries
The draft law creates a “carta de naturaleza” pathway that bypasses the standard ten-year residence requirement. Applicants must prove birth in the territory before September 29, 1977 using Spanish colonial records, a UN-registered census entry, or other administrative documents.
- Direct applicants: two years of legal residence in Spain (instead of ten).
- First-degree descendants: five years to apply after a parent’s registration.
- No residence is required for the primary eligibility group.
Estimates of the potential beneficiary pool vary: reports cite 70 000–80 000 eligible individuals, while the Polisario Front suggests up to 110 000. Including descendants, figures range from roughly 120 000 to nearly 200 000.
Diplomatic Tensions with Morocco
The vote followed a mass crossing of more than 70 000 migrants from Morocco into Ceuta, heightening Madrid-Rabat relations. The Moroccan foreign ministry responded, “Why continue to level accusations against Morocco when no evidence, facts or reports establish any involvement on the part of Moroccan authorities?”
Official Statements & Responses
- Tesh Sidi, a Sumar deputy and the first woman of Sahrawi origin in the Spanish Parliament, framed the legislation as a restoration of identity, noting that Sahrawis once possessed Spanish identity cards that were later withdrawn.
- Mohamed Mohamedna, a Sahrawi resident of Vitoria, called the decision “a historic day” and said he hopes to apply for a Spanish passport after 21 years in Spain without recognized nationality.
Criticism & Opposition
The centre-right People’s Party (PP) abstained, arguing that Sahrawis should follow the ordinary two-year residence route rather than the special “carta de naturaleza.” Far-right Vox voted against the bill, calling it a “giveaway of nationality.” PP leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo warned the measure could be used to reshape the electoral register in favour of the governing Socialists.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Abstention count: most outlets report 145 abstentions, while a few note 147.
- Beneficiary estimates: sources differ, citing ranges from 70 000 to over 200 000 when descendants are included.
- Documentary proof: the law lists a broad set of acceptable documents, but the practical verification process remains unclear.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We are correcting a historic injustice: cutting the process down to two years once you have legal residence in Spain.” — Tesh Sidi
- “Why continue to level accusations against Morocco when no evidence, facts or reports establish any involvement on the part of Moroccan authorities?” — Moroccan foreign ministry
- “We have been fighting for this for many years and finally it has come to pass,” — Mohamed Mohamedna
