The Council of Ministers has approved the Royal Decree on the registration of Spanish nationals in the registers of consular offices abroad. This regulation is part of the ongoing process of consular digitalisation.
Through this legislation, the Government is taking another step forward in the process of modernising our Administration, specifically its consular services, which are the face of Spain abroad.
The aim is to tap into the opportunities offered by the digital tools to achieve a more agile and, above all, more useful Public Administration that is closer to citizens. Both for Spaniards living in Spain and for those living abroad, because everyone has the same right to feel their Administration is equally close and equally accessible.
New functions
The Consular Register, which gathers information on Spaniards abroad, is a key tool for Spanish nationals outside our country to exercise their right to vote, as well as to provide consular protection and assistance to Spanish citizens abroad.
The regulation aims to adapt the Consular Register to the requirements of a digital, efficient and modern Administration. The new registry will therefore remove the need to travel physically to perform certain procedures electronically (such as registering, deregistering or modifying data) and will enable the creation of a unique and unchangeable Central Consular Identification Number to facilitate procedures. This will help to ensure more streamlined, efficient file management.
At the same time, certain features of the previous Consular Register will be maintained, such as the opportunity to carry out the procedures in person for people who prefer this option. The distinction between persons resident abroad (for whom registration will continue to be compulsory) and non-residents (for whom it will be optional) also remains in place, which means registration can be tailored to each person’s specific circumstances.
Entry into force and implementation
Its approval marks the culmination of a process underway since 2021, which has required numerous technical reports. Once approved, it is expected to enter into force within six months. Thereafter, given its complexity, the regulation will be implemented progressively over a maximum period of one year. The new Royal Decree is a key part of the consular digitalisation process, which will continue to move forward in 2024 and 2025, ensuring a wider range of enhanced digital services are available for Spaniards abroad, thus consolidating an efficient, streamlined consular service closer to citizens.
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