These data, relative to January 1, 2025, point to a notable and sustained growth in the number of foreigners in an irregular situation since 2017
The number of migrants living in Spain in an irregular administrative situation continues to grow and now stands at 840,000 people, 91% coming from the American continent, especially from Colombia, Peru and Honduras, according to the Funcas analysis center (Savings Bank Foundation).
17.2% of the foreign population from non-EU countries live in Spain in an irregular situation, according to the estimate made from the difference between the population that actually resides in Spain according to the National Institute of Statistics (INE) and the foreigners who do have a residence permit, are beneficiaries of international protection or are in the process of obtaining one.
These data, relating to January 1, 2025, point to a notable and sustained growth in the number of foreigners in an irregular situation since 2017, when the estimated figure amounted to around 107,000, 4.2% of the non-EU population residing in Spain.
By origin, the nationalities of the American continent stand out (760,000), which represent 91% of the total irregular immigration, and especially the Colombian (about 290,000), the Peruvian (almost 110,000) and the Honduran (90,000), while the African (50,000), Asian (15,000) and European nationalities (14,000) are quite a distance away.
The data predates the latest reform of the Spanish immigration regulations, which came into force in May 2025 and introduces changes to make access to regularization based on roots more flexible, which is why it “would tend, in principle, to reduce the number of irregulars.”
However, Funcas specifies that, if the current dynamics are maintained, even if the Spanish Government’s estimates were met – that the new regulations allow 900,000 people to be regularized in three years – the number of residents in an irregular situation would not decrease, but would stabilize.
The director of Social Studies at Funcas, María Miyar, recognizes that the new regulation “will surely contribute to the social integration of many immigrants,” but denounces the “poor planning of Spanish immigration policy.”
To truly reduce the numbers, the report points to the need for measures that improve the management of migratory flows and that are framed in a broad strategy of economic growth and productivity, directing immigration towards sectors of the economy with a shortage of labor and with qualification requirements.
*Journalism in Venezuela is carried out in a hostile environment for the press with dozens of legal instruments in place to punish the word, especially the laws “against hate”, “against fascism” and “against the blockade.” This content was written taking into consideration the threats and limits that, consequently, have been imposed on the dissemination of information from within the country.
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