Spain: immigration

How many people in Spain were born abroad?

10,291,807 people living in Spain on 1 July 2026 were born abroad, according to INE's continuous population statistics. Spain first passed 10 million foreign-born residents on 1 January 2026, according to the previous release.

The foreign-born population is larger than the number of foreign nationals because many people born abroad have acquired Spanish nationality. INE says Spain's population growth came from people born abroad, while the number born in Spain fell.

Official sources: INE: continuous population statistics, 1 July 2026 · INE: continuous population statistics, 1 January 2026

How many foreign nationals live in Spain?

7,437,543 foreign nationals lived in Spain on 1 July 2026, 87,197 more than three months earlier, according to INE's continuous population statistics. Spain's total population reached a record 49,801,559.

The figures are provisional and count registered residents. People who acquire Spanish nationality stop being counted as foreign nationals, so the figure grows more slowly than the foreign-born population, which was 10,291,807 on the same date.

Official sources: INE: continuous population statistics, 1 July 2026

Where do immigrants to Spain come from?

Colombians were the largest group of immigrants to Spain in the second quarter of 2026, with 34,000 arrivals, followed by Venezuelans (23,300) and Moroccans (21,100), according to INE's continuous population statistics.

The largest groups leaving Spain in the same quarter were also Colombians (11,500), Moroccans (10,900) and Venezuelans (5,900). The figures count changes of residence to and from abroad and are provisional.

Official sources: INE: continuous population statistics, 1 July 2026

Why is Spain's population growing?

Spain's population grew by 444,205 people in the year to 1 July 2026, to a record 49,801,559, according to INE's continuous population statistics. INE attributes the growth to people born abroad, as the number of residents born in Spain fell.

The Valencian Community (0.43%), the Balearic Islands (0.36%) and Asturias (0.29%) grew fastest in the second quarter. The figures are provisional estimates based on registers and are revised.

Official sources: INE: continuous population statistics, 1 July 2026

How many people apply for asylum in Spain?

144,387 new asylum applications were lodged in Spain in 2025, according to UNHCR's asylum applications data. At the end of 2025 UNHCR counted 511,079 refugees and 248,715 asylum seekers in Spain, in its population statistics.

Asylum seekers are people whose claims are still pending; the refugee figure includes people granted international or temporary protection. UNHCR compiles the data from national authorities. In Spain, claims are handled by the Ministry of the Interior's Office of Asylum and Refuge, whose own statistics are published on the Ministry of the Interior website.

Official sources: UNHCR: asylum applications in Spain, 2025 · UNHCR: population statistics, Spain, 2025

What share of Spain's population are immigrants?

18.5%: that is the share of people born abroad in Spain for 2024, according to the UN Population Division. In 2015 the figure was 12.6%. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 11.7%, and Spain placed 12th highest of 52. Worldwide: 30th of 193.

What is net migration in Spain?

The latest figure from the UN Population Division, for 2025, is 96,630. Since 2005 it has ranged from -250,741 (2013) to 772,317 (2007). It is 4th highest of 52 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 158. Of 193 countries with 2025 data, 17th highest.

How many refugees live in Spain?

The latest figure from UNHCR, for 2025, is 511,079. That is the highest since at least 2005. It is 6th highest of 50 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 62,365. World rank, highest first: 17th of 169.

How many refugees come from Spain?

In 2025, the number of refugees from the country living abroad in Spain was 186, according to UNHCR. Since 2005 it has ranged from 26 (2008) to 2,442 (2006). It is 30th highest of 49 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 533. World rank, highest first: 137th of 189.

How big are remittances in Spain's economy?

The latest figure from the World Bank, for 2025, is 0.4% of GDP. No year since 2005 has been higher. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 1.4% of GDP, and Spain placed 37th highest of 47. World rank, highest first: 98th of 127.