he Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation has approved the creation of a new Honorary Consulate of Spain in Atyrau, Republic of Kazakhstan, as set out in Order AUC/1029/2025 published in the Official State Gazette (BOE) on 20 September 2025.
This new Consulate adds to the existing ones in Almaty (2006) and Taraz (2024), responding to two main needs:
- The growing economic importance and Spanish business presence in western Kazakhstan, particularly in the energy and industrial sectors.
- The difficulties of providing consular assistance from Astana, due to the great distance —Atyrau is 1,490 km away— and the limited transport connections.
You can access the full text of the ministerial order published in the BOE here:
⏺️ Economic and business relevance
The regions of Atyrau and Mangystau host the largest oil and gas reserves in Kazakhstan. In recent months, a Spanish multinational company has been awarded a major project to build a polyethylene plant in Atyrau, which will involve the permanent presence of dozens of Spanish workers and may attract further Spanish companies to the region.
In addition to energy, Kazakh authorities are promoting tourism in the Caspian Sea area, opening new business opportunities for foreign companies, including Spanish firms. The region is also strategic within the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor, an EU-backed initiative with an investment of €10 billion.
⏺️ Support for Spanish citizens and companies
The distance between Atyrau and Astana (1,490 km), or between Aktau and the capital (1,700 km), combined with the low population density outside regional capitals, makes consular assistance from the Embassy challenging. With the creation of this new Consulate, Spanish citizens residing or working in Atyrau, Mangystau and Western Kazakhstan will benefit from closer and more effective services in emergencies, assistance, and relations with local authorities.
⏺️ Jurisdiction and dependency
The new Honorary Consulate in Atyrau will cover the regions of Atyrau, Mangystau and Western Kazakhstan, and will be under the authority of the Embassy of Spain in Astana. Its operation will not involve additional staffing costs, as it will be managed with the resources already available.
⏺️ Conclusion
The opening of this Honorary Consulate strengthens Spain’s institutional presence in Kazakhstan and responds to the need to better serve both the interests of Spanish companies and the protection of citizens in a region of growing importance in energy, tourism and international transport.
⏺️ Need help with international procedures?
At ARC Legal, we support you with immigration and consular matters both in Spain and abroad. If you have questions about documentation or procedures, please contact us.
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¿Prefieres leer el artículo en español 🇪🇸? Te dejamos el enlace: Nuevo Consulado Honorario de España en Kazajistán
The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Although we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, immigration regulations are subject to change and may vary depending on the interpretation of the competent authorities. For personalized and updated advice, we recommend consulting a specialized immigration lawyer.