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Country analysis

Spain

In 2022, over 31,700 refugees and migrants arrived in Spain via the Western Mediterranean route, nearly 30% less than in 2021 (41,900 refugees and migrants).

Since late 2020, there have been heightened security and intensified patrols across the Western Mediterranean route. As a result, arrivals to the Spanish mainland have decreased, and people have been pushed to take longer and more dangerous routes. While most of the arrivals in Spain in previous years occurred in the southern region of Andalusia, where the crossing from Morocco is much shorter, the Canary Islands are currently receiving the highest number of sea arrivals in Spain. Melilla is also witnessing several attempts to rush the border fence, where migrants and asylum seekers often face excessive force from border guards.

Over 110,000 people applied for asylum in 2022 as at the end of November – an 88% increase compared to the same period in 2021. Nearly 40% of the applicants were from Venezuela, while 30% were from Colombia. Madrid province registered the highest number of asylum applications (40%), followed by Barcelona (6%). Humanitarian needs include protection and community engagement services.

(UNHCR accessed 17/01/2023, UNHCR 13/01/2023, MMC 06/12/2022, DW, Info Migrants 27/06/2022, Al Jazeera 24/06/2022, UNHCR 29/12/2022)

In 2022, over 31,700 refugees and migrants arrived in Spain via the Western Mediterranean route, nearly 30% less than in 2021 (41,900 refugees and migrants).

Since late 2020, there have been heightened security and intensified patrols across the Western Mediterranean route. As a result, arrivals to the Spanish mainland have decreased, and people have been pushed to take longer and more dangerous routes. While most of the arrivals in Spain in previous years occurred in the southern region of Andalusia, where the crossing from Morocco is much shorter, the Canary Islands are currently receiving the highest number of sea arrivals in Spain. Melilla is also witnessing several attempts to rush the border fence, where migrants and asylum seekers often face excessive force from border guards.

Over 110,000 people applied for asylum in 2022 as at the end of November – an 88% increase compared to the same period in 2021. Nearly 40% of the applicants were from Venezuela, while 30% were from Colombia. Madrid province registered the highest number of asylum applications (40%), followed by Barcelona (6%). Humanitarian needs include protection and community engagement services.

(UNHCR accessed 17/01/2023, UNHCR 13/01/2023, MMC 06/12/2022, DW, Info Migrants 27/06/2022, Al Jazeera 24/06/2022, UNHCR 29/12/2022)

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Latest updates on country situation

05 July 2023

Between 15 June and 1 July 2023, at least 90 migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers died while attempting to cross from Morocco to Canary Islands, Spain. As the weather improved in June, the migration movement over the Western Mediterranean route increased. About 2,600 migrants arrived in Spain that month alone, while 4,400 arrivals were recorded between January–May 2023. The majority of migrants are from Ethiopia, Gambia, Senegal, Sri Lanka, and Sudan, and they seek migration to escape insecurity and worsening economic conditions in their countries. The use of wooden or inflatable boats and overcrowding are some of the factors leading to more accidents in the Mediterranean. On 21 June, a lack of coordination between rescue teams in Spain and Morocco contributed to the delayed rescue of a boat that eventually capsized, killing at least 37 people. Generally, new arrivals to Spain need medical attention and registration assistance. (InfoMigrants 03/07/2023, BBC 23/06/2023, UNHCR 28/06/2023)

current crises
in Spain

These crises have been identified through the INFORM Severity Index, a tool for measuring and comparing the severity of humanitarian crises globally.

Read more about the Index

ESP002 - Mixed Migration

Last updated 23/08/2023

Drivers

Displacement

Crisis level

Country

Severity level

1.8 Low

Access constraints

0.0

REG008 - Western Mediterranean Route

Last updated 25/08/2023

Drivers


Crisis level

Regional

Severity level

2.5 Medium

Access constraints

0.0

Analysis products
on Spain

Humanitarian Response Plan 2022

07 April 2017

Humanitarian Response Plan 2022

DOCUMENT / PDF / 901 KB

ACAPS and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies have produced a new set of Central and West Mediterranean migration scenarios, outlining possible developments in migration via Libya, Italy, Spain and other transit countries over the next six months.

Mixed migration
The Balkans: Asylum Seekers, Migrants, and Refugees in Transit

18 March 2016

The Balkans: Asylum Seekers, Migrants, and Refugees in Transit

DOCUMENT / PDF / 777 KB

As of 16 November, close to 820,000 people have arrived in Europe by sea in 2015. 85% of the arrivals are from the world’s top ten refugee-producing countries. As the sea route to Italy via North Africa is longer and more risky, and as the number of Syrians has increased, more people are travelling through Greece and then through the Balkans to reach northern and western Europe.

Mixed migration
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