The Spanish government has granted citizenship to 4,302 Sephardim whose Jewish ancestors were expelled from the country in 1492.

Under the new law, which was passed in June and came into effect on Thursday, successful applicants may retain their original nationality as well as becoming a Spanish citizen.

This first wave was fast-tracked under an old law which required incoming citizens to give up their former nationality, though these new nationals will not be required to do so.

Justice Minister Rafael Catala said the decision had been taken so applicants would not have to go through the process again.

The Federation of Jewish Communities in Spain welcomed the news and reported that most of the new citizens were from Morocco, Turkey and Venezuela.

To become legally Spanish, applicants have had their Jewish heritage vetted by Spanish Federation of Jewish Communities or by rabbis where they live.

They have also travelled to Spain at their own expense to apply, and passed tests on the Spanish language and culture and prove they have a “special connection” to the country.

Tens of thousands of Jews left Spain during the mass expulsion of 1492, which the government has termed a “historic mistake”. Many of those who remained were killed or forced to convert to Catholicism.