Foreign-born population – 2025 | 19.8% of the population | Main countries of birth: Morocco (12%), Colombia (10%), Venezuela (7%) |
Size: 9.5 million, 51% women | Evolution since 2015: +61% |
International Migration Outlook 2026
50th Edition
In 2025, Spain received 460 000 new immigrants on a long-term or permanent basis (including changes of status and free mobility), 25% more than in 2024. This figure comprises 24% immigrants benefitting from free mobility, 8% labour migrants, 44% family members (including accompanying family) and 5% humanitarian migrants. Around 66 000 permits were issued to tertiary-level international students and 49 000 to temporary and seasonal labour migrants (excluding intra-EU migration). In addition, 236 000 intra-EU postings were recorded in 2024, a 24% increase compared to 2023. These posted workers are generally on short-term contracts.
Colombia, Morocco and Venezuela were the top three nationalities of newcomers in 2024. Among the top 15 countries of origin, Venezuela registered the strongest increase (15 000) and Romania the largest decrease (‑7 600) in flows to Spain compared to the previous year.
In 2025, the number of first asylum applicants decreased by ‑15%, to reach around 141 000. The majority of applicants came from Venezuela (84 000), Mali (15 000) and Colombia (14 000). The largest increase since 2024 concerned nationals of Venezuela (19 000) and the largest decrease nationals of Colombia (‑25 000). Of the 148 000 decisions taken in 2025, 51% were positive.
Emigration of Spanish citizens to OECD countries decreased by ‑5% in 2024, to 79 000. Approximately 18% of this group migrated to Germany, 13% to the Netherlands and 12% to Switzerland.
A major regulatory reform entered into force in May 2025. The new regulation aimed to simplify procedures, enhance legal certainty and facilitate the integration of migrants in the labour market, education and family life. Among the main measures, visa categories were reorganised, residence pathways were clarified and the validity of most initial residence authorisations is one year, with renewals generally up to four years. The reform also streamlined transitions between residence statuses. Students who have finished their studies can reside and work without having to wait for acceptance of their application for a single permit.
The use of arraigo residence mechanisms was expanded. From May 2025, five distinct arraigo categories were operationalised: social, socio-labour, family, socio-educational and a “second chance” arraigo for individuals who had held a residence permit in the previous two years but failed to renew it. The required duration of stay for most arraigo categories was reduced from three to two years, facilitating faster access to legal residence and employment. Labour market access under these permits was broadened, allowing both employed and self-employed work from the outset.
In January 2026, the Council of Ministers approved a major regularisation process (formally the Royal Decree 316/2026). It was published in April 2026 and its application window opened on 16 April 2026 to run until 30 June 2026. The process targets foreign nationals residing in Spain before 1 January 2026. Applicants must demonstrate at least five months of residence in Spain before the application, have no criminal record and meet other specific requirements set out in the regulation. Beneficiaries will be granted a residence permit, with an initial one‑year validity subject to renewal and be allowed to work in any sector and location in Spain. This measure was meant to address existing irregular residence, labour demand and social cohesion considerations, allowing progression into standard residence categories after the initial year. As of 2 July 2026, approximately 1.2 million applications have been submitted and almost 610 000 have been admitted for processing, according to the Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration.
Integration policy remained anchored in the Strategic Framework for Citizenship and Inclusion against Racism and Xenophobia 2023-2027, with monitoring updates presented in February 2025.
In March 2025, the Law on the Rights and Freedoms of Foreigners in Spain and their Social Integration was amended in order to establish a framework for the distribution, reception and protection of unaccompanied foreign minors to address the capacity constraints of border territories and better distribute unaccompanied minors across Spain.
Spain adopted Action Plan III against Hate Crimes 2025-2028 and expanded the use of artificial intelligence-based monitoring tools by OBERAXE (Spanish Observatory on Racism and Xenophobia) to detect and report hate speech on social media. Monitoring data for 2024-2025 show persistent online hostility targeting migrants and minorities.
For further information, see www.inclusion.gob.es
