Inhabitants of foreign origin now represent more than 12 per cent of the 48 million Spaniard population, showing around six million inhabitants of foreign origin in total.
According to the National Insitute of Statistics (INE), the immigrant population in Spain has increased by 182,141 people during the first half of the year.
The population growth is driven by the positive net migration of 258,547 people, which is more than a quarter of one million people.
On the other hand, INE data reveals that the native population is decreasing, with 71,257 fewer people being recorded this year. In conclusion, data show that legal immigration continues to be the main factor for the population growth in Spain.
Immigration Law to Be Reformed, Improving Migration to Spain for Foreigners
The reform of the immigration law is expected to facilitate procedures, shorten deadlines and make requirements for obtaining residence and work permits more accessible.
By adopting these measures, the Government is trying to encourage workers and hiring workers in their country of origin before moving to Spain. This change in conditions meant a more favourable situation for those who wanted to emigrate to this European country.
Migration to Spain Highly Driven by Arrivals From South America
Moroccan nationals represent the largest nationality group in Spain, with INE Migration Statistics showing that by 2022, there were a total of 775,159 Moroccan residents.
While Romanians are the second largest nationality in Spain, with a total of 631,585 residents, Colombians follow third with 315,386 residents.
The greatest increases in immigrants in Spain are noticed among Ukrainians (45.8 per cent), which can be linked to the war while increases in Peruvians and Colombians have been most evident, with migration rates being 20.1 and 19.1 per cent, respectively.
The interest of foreigners in Spain is not related only to immigration but also to applying for visas, which grants them usually a period to travel and explore the zone for tourism purposes.
Schengen Statistics has revealed that Ecuadorians are the main visa applicants from South America, filing over one-third (34.7 per cent) of all visa applications filed. This means that 75,094 visa requests from Ecuador were submitted to Spanish consulates.
Dominicans and Cubans are the second and third-largest nationality groups with most visa applications to Spain, counting 43,996 and 39,931 requests, respectively. This means that 20.3 per cent of all applications from South American nationals are made by Dominicants and about 18.4 per cent from Cuba.
