Spanish passport question after “renouncing” US citizenship to Spain

Would flying to Spain to renew it make any sense?

@AB2000

im a dual national French american with two passports.  When you renounce your US citizenship,  the US gov’t takes your american passport and you don’t get it back.  When you visit the usa coming from spain, you just use and show your Spanish passport when requested.

@Lmflmf1

the cost has risen for renouncing your citizenship, from 235$ to over 2000$ +/-.

@AB2000

When you renew your Spanish passport, you just go to the Spanish consulat as any other Spanish citizen, it is no longer a problem for the US.

This happens all the time in the Basque diaspora. Plenty of people in Idaho, NV, Ca, Oregon with Spanish and American citizenship. They just renew their passport in San Francisco at the consulate with no issues. Others time a trip back to Spain and get it done there. But long story short, no, there is no issue.

@Lmflmf1 But when you renounce your US citizenship at the Spanish Embassy when you're getting your nationality isn't it just a formality why would the US take your passport?

@linsaywv  I don't think that one renounces one's US citizenship at the Spain consulate or other government offices.  This has to be done at a US facility.  If involve filling out a form; paying an exit tax; and maybe some other things as well.

There is a very similar question on this thread, which might help:

https://www.expat.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=1008895

In particular, there are two uses of the same word "renounce" which naturally causes confusion! When you take "la Jura de Nacionalidad Espanola", you swear that you "renounce" your previous citizenship. When (IF) you go to an American Embassy (if you are American), there is a formal process by which you can "renounce" your citizenship and give up your American passport. And they will want to be sure that you understand the irrevocable nature of your decision, and that you really want to go through with it. The former is saying you do, the latter is actually doing it.

@Joseba Criswell89

I'm not 100% on this detail, but I think the dual nationality rules are different for Ibero-Americans and those that are formerly Spanish, or Spanish by descent. Hence, the "extra" USA passport is not an issue.

@linsaywv

Correct, the Nationality Oath does not need your American passport. But the issue that concerns people is what happens later when you STILL have an American passport, when you SWORE to the Spanish authorities that you renounce your American citizenship (which means giving up your passport).

@BlueMoonx47

Exactly correct, the formal "renunciation" of your American citizenship and giving up your American passport is a process carried out at the appropriate American location (either in USA or an Embassy abroad). And they'll want to be sure that you understand the irrevocable nature of your decision, and that you REALLY want to go through with it. Whereas, as I write above, "la Jura de Nacionalidad Espanola" takes place at a Spanish location, and this is where you swear that you "renounce" your citizenship. Hence, two slightly different uses of the word "renounce".

Sounds like it would make more sense to change the wording from "renouncing" another citizenship to swearing "allegiance" to the Spanish citizenship.