Frequently asked questions about Italian citizenship and Spanish nationality in Chile
Estrada y Asociados is a law firm based in Santiago, Chile, specialized in obtaining Italian citizenship and Spanish nationality by descent. This page gathers answers to the most common questions about both processes, led by lawyer Nilson Estrada Noguera.
About the firm
What is Estrada y Asociados?
Estrada y Asociados SpA is a law firm based in Santiago, Chile, led by lawyer Nilson Estrada Noguera, graduated from the Universidad de Chile. It assists people living in Chile with the recognition of Italian citizenship and Spanish nationality by descent, with consular procedures for those who already hold Italian citizenship or Spanish nationality (for example, transcription of records, consular registration or passports) and with residence visa advice for Italy and Spain.
How much experience does the firm have?
The firm has 6 years of experience in the field, with over 4,000 cases managed and a 98% success rate on cases handled.
Where is the firm located?
The firm is based in Santiago, Chile. Consultations are held only as virtual meetings (video call), by appointment.
Italian citizenship
Who can apply for Italian citizenship by descent?
Since the 2025 reform (Law 74/2025), a person born outside Italy who holds another citizenship can only be recognized as an Italian citizen by descent in these cases: if a parent or grandparent holds, or held at the time of death, only Italian citizenship; if a parent or adoptive parent, already an Italian citizen, lived in Italy for at least two consecutive years before the person's birth; or if the consular or court application was filed, or the consular appointment obtained, by March 27, 2025. As a result, for great-grandchildren and more distant generations the route is, in general, closed. Each case is assessed in a diagnostic consultation.
How long does the Italian citizenship process take?
The internal work prior to filing usually takes between 3 and 8 months, depending on the complexity of the case. The subsequent resolution by the Italian Consulate usually takes an additional 24 to 36 months.
What happens if there are errors in the records?
Errors in names, surnames, or other data are common and, in many cases, require judicial correction if the records are Chilean. Estrada y Asociados handles this process before the Chilean courts as part of the case management.
Can you obtain Italian citizenship by marriage?
Yes. The foreign spouse of an Italian citizen can apply for it (Article 5 of Law 91/1992). It is a different route from recognition by descent and requires, among other things, a minimum period of marriage (3 years if the couple lives outside Italy, half that with children) and B1-level Italian. The diagnostic consultation reviews whether the case meets the requirements and how to prepare the application.
If my spouse is Italian by descent, can I apply for citizenship by marriage?
Yes. The law requires being married to an Italian citizen, without distinguishing how that citizenship was obtained. The 2025 reform requirement of having a parent or grandparent with only Italian citizenship applies to those seeking recognition by descent, not to those applying by marriage. What is checked in every case is that the Italian spouse's citizenship has already been recognized.
How long does Italian citizenship by marriage take?
A decision can take between 24 and 36 months from the filing of the application, which is the deadline set by law (24 months, extendable up to 36). Preparing the documentation beforehand adds time that varies from case to case.
Spanish nationality
Who can apply for Spanish nationality by descent today?
Currently, only the children of a Spanish father or mother can apply for Spanish nationality through this route. The route for grandchildren, which existed under the Democratic Memory Law, closed on October 22, 2025 and no longer accepts new applications.
Can I obtain Spanish nationality as a grandchild of a Spanish citizen?
Not through the direct consular route: that option closed on October 22, 2025. Depending on the family situation, other alternatives may exist, which require legally residing in Spain. A diagnostic consultation is recommended to evaluate the case.
How long does the Spanish nationality process take?
Preparing the documentation, the stage managed by the firm, takes about 6-8 months. What happens after filing the documentation depends on the Spanish Consulate and cannot be guaranteed with a fixed timeline.
How the process works with Estrada y Asociados
Does the firm also handle visas for Italy and Spain?
Yes, Estrada y Asociados offers consultation for national residence visas in Italy and Spain for more than 90 days, for example for studies, work, or medical treatment.
Can I handle this process on my own using information from the Internet?
General information is available, but every case has its own family and documentary particularities. Applying generic instructions to a specific situation can cause errors that delay or complicate the process.
Do you handle urgent cases to obtain the passport quickly?
No. Estrada y Asociados does not manage processes under an expedited mode, as the process requires analysis, strategy, and orderly execution.
Can you take on just part of the process if I already have advanced documents?
We do not take on partial engagements without first fully assessing the case. In specific situations we can offer targeted consultations, but full case management requires a prior assessment.
How do I book a consultation?
Through the diagnostic form on the Italian Citizenship or Spanish Nationality pages: once you submit it, you choose a day and time in the scheduler. You can also message the firm on WhatsApp from the button on the site, or contact it by phone or email.
For more detail on each process, visit the dedicated Italian Citizenship and Spanish Nationality pages, or contact the firm directly.