In Spain, the different civil regulations in certain Comunidades Autónomas, Galicia, Basque Country, Navarra, Aragón, Cataluña and Balearic Islands, will be applicable to Spaniards who have the corresponding Vecindad Civil.

The Vecindad Civil is a status that is acquired by the individual:

.-By birth, if one of the parents already has that Vecindad Civil

.-By residence of two years in the specific territory if the person states that it is his will

.-By residence of ten years in the specific territory without making a declaration to the contrary.

Either of the spouses can at any time choose the vecindad civil of his or her partner.

Any Spaniard who does not have Vecindad Civil of Galicia, Basque Country, Navarra, Aragón, Cataluña and Balearic Islands will have Vecindad Civil Común and therefore, their succession, as well as other issues related to their personal status ( matrimonial property regime for example), will be dealt with under The Spanish Código Civil.

In cases of doubt, the «Vecindad Civil» corresponding to the place of birth will prevail.

So then, A newborn Spanish Child:

.-Will have the vecindad Civil of their parents at the time of birth, or of the Spanish parent if they are of different nationalities.

.-If both Spanish parents have different «Vecindad Civil» the newborn will have the «Vecindad Civil» corresponding to the place of birth, and, if it was abroad, the «Vecindad Civil Común ( and by so under the Código Civil)

Notwithstanding the above, the parents can jointly attribute the «Vecindad Civil» of either one of them to the newborn within the six months following the birth.

.-If filiation ( by birth or by adoption) is not determined at the same time for both parents ( e.g. recognition, or paternity claim), the child will have the «Vecindad Civil» corresponding to the first-determined parent.

.-And ultimately the attribution of «Vecindad Civil» by birth will not be affected by the changing of the «Vecindad Civil» of the parents.

Regardless of the above, the child can opt for the last vecindad civil of either of the parents or the «Vecindad Civil» corresponding to the place of birth from the time he or she is fourteen years old to one year following the year of emancipation.

A foreigner who acquires Spanish Nationality will need to opt for a «Vecindad Civil» from within these:

.-That corresponding to the place of residence.

.-That corresponding to the place of birth

.-The last vecindad civil of either of their parents ( by blood or adoption)

.-That corresponding to the Spanish spouse.

Someone who recovers or regains their lost Spanish nationality, will recover or regain the same «Vecindad Civil» that they had at the time of losing it.