Spain’s international protection system closed 2025 with unprecedented figures. For the first time since the creation of the Office for Asylum and Refuge (OAR) in 1992, the number of resolved international protection cases has clearly exceeded the number of applications submitted in the same year, marking a turning point in the management of asylum in Spain.
During 2025, a total of 160,951 international protection files were resolved, representing a 67.2% increase compared to 2024. This volume is not only a historical record, but also reflects a significant effort by the Administration to reduce the backlog accumulated in previous years.
⏺️ More decisions than applications in the same year
Throughout 2025, 144,396 applications for international protection were formally submitted in Spain. Despite this high figure, the number of decisions issued was substantially higher, highlighting a meaningful improvement in the system’s processing capacity.
With these figures, Spain consolidated its position as the third-largest recipient of asylum applications in the European Union, behind only Germany and France. This places Spain at the centre of the European international protection system, both in terms of entry pressure and responsibility for resolving cases.
⏺️ Venezuela accounts for six out of ten applications
The nationality profile of applicants in 2025 shows a very strong concentration. Venezuela clearly led international protection applications, with 85,413 requests, representing 59.2% of the total. This share increased by more than 20 percentage points compared to the previous year, reinforcing an already established trend.
Mali ranked second with 16,004 applications, followed by Colombia (14,524), Peru (3,511) and Senegal (3,333). Notably, Venezuela and Mali were the only two countries among the top twenty that recorded an increase in applications compared to 2024.
⏺️ Madrid, Andalucía and Cataluña concentrate most applications
From a territorial perspective, the Community of Madrid clearly led the reception of international protection applications, with 43,585 files submitted in 2025. It was followed by Andalucia (20,013) and Cataluña (17,206).
These figures confirm the weight of major urban areas and primary entry points in the territorial distribution of applications, with a direct impact on immigration offices and reception resources.
⏺️ Refugee status recognitions increase
In 2025, 7,838 refugee statuses were granted, representing a 23.3% increase compared to the previous year. The main nationalities benefiting from refugee status were Nicaragua, Colombia, Afghanistan, Honduras and El Salvador.
In addition, subsidiary protection was granted to 10,103 people, and 57,334 applicants, mostly Venezuelan nationals, obtained a residence authorization on humanitarian grounds.
Overall, the recognition rate for refugee status and subsidiary protection reached 11.2%, while the global international protection rate, including humanitarian residence permits, stood at 46.8%.
⏺️ Statelessness: a sharp increase
The procedure for the recognition of stateless status also experienced significant growth in 2025. More than 3,000 applications were submitted, and 2,242 cases were resolved, representing an increase of over 146% compared to 2024.
Statelessness affects individuals who are not considered nationals by any State under its legislation, and its recognition is governed by the 1954 Convention relating to the Status of Stateless Persons. The rise in cases reflects improved identification of these profiles within the international protection system.
⏺️ Temporary protection: Ukraine continues to shape the context
Temporary protection remains a key component of Spain’s response to forced displacement, particularly in relation to people fleeing Ukraine following the Russian invasion. End-of-year data for 2025 confirm that, although the pace of new grants has slowed compared to the initial stages of the conflict, the mechanism remains fully active.
In December 2025 alone, 2,441 favourable temporary protection decisions were issued in Spain. These figures show that the system is not stalled, but rather operating in a phase of continuity and sustained management of the population already present.
The December monthly breakdown shows a significant territorial distribution. The regions with the highest number of temporary protection decisions were the Valencian Community (578), Madrid (516) and Andalucia (504), followed by Cataluña (376) and the Canary Islands (99).
This distribution confirms patterns seen in previous years: concentration in major urban areas and regions with greater reception capacity, as well as territories with more developed administrative infrastructures for managing these authorizations.
⏺️ A more efficient system, but challenges remain
The 2025 data point to an Administration that is more decisive and capable of handling a high volume of cases. However, the sustained number of applications, concentration by nationality and territory, and the significant weight of humanitarian authorizations continue to pose relevant legal and administrative challenges.
For applicants, specialised legal advice from the outset of the procedure remains crucial, both to properly structure the application and to explore alternative regularisation pathways when appropriate.
⏺️ How ARC Legal can help
At ARC Legal, we advise and assist applicants for international protection at all stages of the procedure: preparation of the application, follow-up before the OAR, analysis of decisions, and assessment of legal alternatives in case of refusal.
If you need personalised guidance regarding your situation, we can help you evaluate the most appropriate legal strategy.
Related publications
- Asylum in the EU in October 2025: fewer new applications and more repeat cases
- Temporary protection in the EU: November 2025 overview for displaced persons from Ukraine
- Safe countries of origin and safe third countries: the EU’s new asylum roadmap
¿Prefieres leer el artículo en español 🇪🇸? Aquí te dejamos el enlace: España bate récord histórico en resoluciones de protección internacional en 2025
The information provided in this article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, immigration and asylum law is subject to change and interpretation by the competent authorities. For tailored and current legal advice, we recommend consulting a specialised lawyer.