The Oficina de Asilo y Refugio – Spanish Office of Asylum and Refuge (OAR) has published consolidated data from 1 January to 30 November 2025, offering an updated and accurate overview of how Spain’s international and temporary protection systems are performing. The figures confirm a continued upward trend, driven by persistent regional crises, prolonged instability, and mobility patterns that position Spain as one of the leading countries in Europe for asylum applications.
⏺️ More than 134,000 asylum applications so far this year
As of 30 November 2025, Spain has registered 134,401 international protection applications. This volume maintains significant pressure on the system and mirrors the high levels observed in recent years, although with increased intensity.
The data reveal two major migratory trends:
- Venezuela: 78,984 applications
- Mali: 14,791
- Colombia: 13,784
- Peru: 3,357
- Senegal: 3,240
On one hand, there is a strong presence of applicants from Latin America, particularly Venezuela and Colombia. On the other, the continued relevance of applicants from West Africa and the Sahel, especially Mali and Senegal, reflects ongoing insecurity and political instability in the region.
⏺️ Where are applications being submitted?
Most applications continue to be filed within Spanish territory:
- In-country filings: 125,616
- Border crossing points: 5,681
- Detention Centres for Foreign Nationals (CIE): 790
- Embassies (family extensions): 2,314
This distribution shows that access to the asylum procedure is primarily managed through in-country channels, although border and consular filings still represent relevant pathways.
⏺️ Madrid continues to lead the territorial distribution
The Community of Madrid remains the region with the highest number of applications, reaffirming the concentration of asylum procedures in large urban areas:
- Madrid: 40,389
- Andalucía: 18,700
- Cataluña: 15,779
- Islas Canarias: 7,282
- Galicia: 6,591
Madrid continues to operate as the central hub for asylum processing, bearing a particularly heavy administrative and social burden.
⏺️ Decisions: overall protection rate exceeds 45%
Between January and November 2025, the OAR issued a significant number of decisions, offering a clear picture of how the system is operating:
- Refugee status: 7,064
- Subsidiary protection: 8,940
- Negative decisions: 63,010
- Humanitarian reasons: 49,473
- Closed files: 14,341
The strict recognition rate (refugee + subsidiary protection) stands at 11.07%, while the overall protection rate, including humanitarian decisions, rises to 45.65%.
This model—low strict recognition combined with a high number of humanitarian approvals—continues to define the Spanish approach, particularly significant in cases involving Venezuelan nationals, who account for the majority of humanitarian decisions.
⏺️ Temporary protection: nearly 3,000 decisions in November alone
Alongside the asylum system, temporary protection continues to generate substantial administrative activity. In November 2025, Spain issued 2,938 temporary protection decisions. The regions with the highest numbers were:
- Andalucía: 755
- Comunidad Valenciana: 690
- Madrid: 548
- Cataluña: 386
- País Vasco: 84
In Andalucía and the Comunidad Valenciana, this volume reflects both established community networks and strong administrative capacity to process cases efficiently.
Sex and age distribution remains consistent: men represent 54% of beneficiaries and women 46%, with the majority falling within the 18–34 and 35–64 age ranges.
⏺️ Spain’s role within the European protection system
With more than 134,000 asylum applications this year and nearly 3,000 temporary protection decisions issued in a single month, Spain reaffirms its position as a key actor within Europe’s protection landscape.
The coexistence of multiple protection pathways—asylum, subsidiary protection, humanitarian grounds, and temporary protection—highlights the need for a strong, adaptable system capable of responding to increasingly complex international contexts.
⏺️ Need legal guidance?
At ARC Legal Abogados, we support applicants seeking asylum, international protection, or temporary protection in Spain.
We provide specialised legal advice, close guidance, and representation throughout every stage of the procedure—from filing the application to receiving a final decision.
If you need assistance, you can book a consultation with our team.
Related articles
- Asylum applications in the European Union: trends and developments in August 2025
- Temporary Protection for Ukrainians in the EU: September 2025 Statistics
- EU Council Recommendation on the transition after Temporary Protection for Ukrainians
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The content of this article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Immigration regulations are subject to continuous interpretative and administrative changes. At ARC Legal, we make every effort to ensure that the information is updated and verified with official sources, but we always recommend consulting a qualified professional before initiating any procedure or making legal decisions. If you require personalised legal advice, you may contact our firm.