Tens of thousands of Sahrawis could gain access to Spanish citizenship under a measure approved by Spain’s Congress. But why is Spain opening this exceptional route to citizenship, and why could the decision cause further tension with Morocco? The answer lies almost 50 years in the past – and in Spain’s unresolved historical relationship with Western Sahara.
Spain Expat Press Editorial Team
Spain’s Congress has backed legislation designed to provide a special route to Spanish citizenship for Sahrawis born in Western Sahara during the period in which the territory was under Spanish administration.
Estimates suggest that tens of thousands of people could potentially benefit, while direct descendants may also be eligible under certain conditions.
But this is about far more than immigration or citizenship policy.
Why do the Sahrawis have a special connection with Spain?
Spain controlled Western Sahara from the late 19th century and, in 1958, formally organised the territory as a Spanish overseas province.
For decades, Sahrawis therefore lived under Spanish administration. Many held documents issued by Spanish authorities, attended Spanish schools, worked for the administration or served in Spanish military units.
This historical relationship is at the heart of the argument for granting them exceptional access to Spanish nationality.
Supporters of the legislation argue that Sahrawis should not simply be viewed in the same way as other foreign nationals seeking Spanish citizenship. Their relationship with Spain stems directly from the country’s former administration of their territory.
What happened when Spain left Western Sahara?
Everything changed in 1975 and 1976.
Spain withdrew from Western Sahara as the Franco era came to an end. Morocco and Mauritania took control of parts of the territory, while the Polisario Front fought for an independent Sahrawi state.
Large numbers of Sahrawis fled, and many of them and their descendants continue to live in refugee camps around Tindouf in Algeria.
The political status of Western Sahara remains unresolved to this day.
For supporters of the new Spanish legislation, this is precisely where Spain’s historical responsibility lies: Madrid withdrew from a territory whose population had spent decades living under Spanish administration.
So why is Spain offering them citizenship now?
There is an important distinction: Spanish citizenship will not simply be handed automatically to all Sahrawis.
The legislation creates a special route for Sahrawis born in Western Sahara during the relevant period of Spanish administration who can demonstrate the required historical connection.
Applicants may be able to use old Spanish documents, birth certificates, family records or documents issued by the former Spanish administration as evidence.
The major difference is that eligible applicants would not first have to spend many years legally resident in Spain before being able to use this particular route to citizenship.
Direct descendants could also benefit under certain circumstances.
A form of historical reparation
At the heart of the debate is a simple question: does Spain have a special historical obligation towards the Sahrawi people?
Supporters of the legislation believe that it does.
Almost half a century after Spain’s withdrawal, the measure is being presented as an attempt to address at least part of the legal consequences left behind by the country’s colonial past.
For those who qualify, the consequences would be significant.
Becoming a Spanish national also means becoming an EU citizen, with the rights that come with European Union citizenship.
And this is where Morocco comes in
What Spain presents as recognition of a historical relationship could look very different from Rabat.
Morocco considers Western Sahara part of its territory, while the Polisario Front seeks an independent Sahrawi state.
That makes almost any Spanish decision granting the Sahrawi population special political or legal treatment diplomatically sensitive.
The situation is particularly interesting because Spain significantly changed its position on Western Sahara in 2022, describing Morocco’s autonomy proposal as the “most serious, realistic and credible” basis for resolving the dispute.
That shift helped repair relations between Madrid and Rabat after a period of serious diplomatic tension.
Spain is now preparing to give tens of thousands of Sahrawis exceptional access to Spanish citizenship.
Why could this anger Morocco?
From Madrid’s perspective, the legislation can be presented as a question of Spanish nationality law and historical responsibility.
Rabat may see things differently.
By creating a special citizenship route specifically for Sahrawis, Spain is recognising them as a population with a distinct historical relationship with the Spanish state.
That is politically sensitive for Morocco, which is highly protective of its sovereignty claim over Western Sahara and has repeatedly reacted strongly to international developments concerning the territory.
The potential scale of the measure adds to its significance. This is not about a handful of individual cases, but potentially tens of thousands of people, with the possibility that direct descendants could also benefit.
The decision could therefore become another source of friction between Madrid and Rabat.
However, there is an important distinction between the potential for a diplomatic dispute and an actual new crisis. Unless and until Morocco formally responds, it would be premature to suggest that relations between the two countries have entered another confrontation.
Spain caught between history and diplomacy
This is ultimately Spain’s dilemma.
On one side is Morocco, one of Spain’s most strategically important neighbours. The two countries cooperate closely on migration, border control, security and trade.
On the other is Spain’s historical relationship with the Sahrawi people and an unresolved legacy dating back to the country’s withdrawal from Western Sahara.
Almost 50 years later, that history continues to influence Spanish politics and foreign policy.
Can Sahrawis apply now?
Not yet.
Approval by Congress does not mean that tens of thousands of Spanish passports will now immediately be issued.
The legislation must complete the parliamentary process and enter into force before the new procedure can become operational.
Nevertheless, the political significance of the move is already considerable.
Spain is attempting to recognise a historical responsibility towards the Sahrawis – while simultaneously touching one of the most sensitive issues in its relationship with Morocco.
