Welcome to Extranjería Legal, a weekly newsletter bringing you the latest legislative updates and news on Immigration Law, the European Union, and International Protection.
Legislative updates, international agreements, and other provisions
- Law 4/2024, of November 20, amending the consolidated text of the legal provisions of the Community of Madrid regarding state-transferred taxes, approved by Legislative Decree 1/2010, of October 21, by the Regional Government, to establish a tax deduction for investments by new taxpayers coming from abroad in the scope of Personal Income Tax. Link: BOE
- European Commission Communication — Establishing implementation guidelines for Council Decision (EU) 2025/170, of January 27, 2025, regarding the partial suspension of the EU-Georgia Visa Facilitation Agreement and the application by Member States of Article 6(1) of Regulation (EU) 2018/1806 concerning holders of diplomatic, service, official, and special passports issued by Georgia. Link: DOUE
- Instrument of approval of the Acts of the XXVII Universal Postal Union (UPU) Congress, held in Abidjan on August 26, 2021. Link: BOE
- Resolutions of February 6, 2025, by the Dirección General de Seguridad Jurídica y Fe Pública (‘Directorate General for Legal Security and Public Faith‘), approving the effective implementation of the DICIREG system at various Consular Offices in Berlin, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Munich, and Stuttgart for its operation in accordance with Law 20/2011, of July 21, on Civil Registry.
- Minutes of the Seventh Meeting of the Spain-Philippines Joint Cooperation Commission, held in Manila on November 25, 2024. Link: BOE
- Minutes of the XII Meeting of the Spain-Peru Joint Cooperation Commission, held in Madrid on November 22, 2024. Link: BOE
News of interest
- Council of Ministers Summary — A recap of the key agreements reached during the Council of Ministers meeting on February 25. Link: Council of Ministers
- Spanish nationality for Sahrawis — The Congress of Deputies has admitted for consideration a Bill to grant Spanish nationality to Sahrawis born under Spanish administration. The initiative was approved in its initial phase with 195 votes in favor, 116 against, and 33 abstentions, marking the beginning of its legislative process. Link: ARC Legal
- Spain-Egypt Memorandum of Understanding — The Spanish Minister of Inclusion, Social Security, and Migration, Elma Saiz, and her Egyptian counterpart, Badr Ahmed Mohamed Abdelatty, signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Circular Migration. This one-year renewable agreement establishes a framework for selecting workers in their country of origin for temporary jobs in Spain, facilitating their return to Egypt after completing their contracts. Spain has similar agreements regulating migration flows with Colombia, Ecuador, Honduras, the Dominican Republic, Morocco, Mauritania, Ukraine, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Cape Verde, Senegal, Mali, Niger, Mexico, El Salvador, Paraguay, Argentina, and the Philippines. In 2024, over 20,500 workers participated in these programs, mostly in the agricultural sector. Link: Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security, and Migration
- European Ombudsman Recommendations — The Defensor del Pueblo Europeo (‘Ombudsman’) has urged the European Commission to strengthen oversight of EU border management funds to prevent human rights violations. Suggestions include guidelines to evaluate compliance throughout programs, public criteria for suspending funding, and increased transparency and civil society participation. The investigation stemmed from allegations against Greece regarding human rights violations. Link: European Ombudsman
- Foreigners’ Procedures – Processing Times — The latest statistical data on processing times for immigration procedures as of January 2025 have been published. These data cover residence renewals, family reunification, residence and work permits, fixed-term employment, work permit exceptions, authorizations to work, and long-term residence permits. The figures only reflect the period from application submission to resolution. Link: Ministerio de Inclusión, Seguridad Social y Migraciones (‘Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security, and Migration‘)
- Public Consultation – Integration and Intercultural Coexistence Plan — The Ministerio de Inclusión, Seguridad Social y Migraciones (‘Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security, and Migration‘) has opened a public consultation on a new Integration and Intercultural Coexistence Plan, designed to promote equal opportunities, inclusion, and social cohesion in Spain. The deadline for public input is March 21, 2025. Link: Ministerio de Inclusión, Seguridad Social y Migraciones (‘Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security, and Migration‘)
- Spain grants temporary protection to 236,570 Ukrainians in three years of conflict — Marking three years since the start of the war in Ukraine, Spain ranks fourth in the EU in granting temporary protection, covering 4.9% of the European total, according to the 2025 Spain Questionnaire Blueprint Ukraine. Minister Elma Saiz highlighted Spain’s rapid and supportive response, with over 214,000 people assisted at CREADE Centers, and nearly 125,000 displaced individuals documented. Additionally, 39,741 Ukrainian students have been enrolled in Spanish schools, while 28,197 people have entered the workforce, primarily in hospitality, construction, and retail. Spain’s investment exceeds €1.53 billion, and temporary protection has been extended until 2026. Link: Ministerio de Inclusión, Seguridad Social y Migraciones (‘Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security, and Migration‘)
ARC Legal – 2025 Immigration Guides
At ARC Legal, we have created a series of practical guides offering clear information, updated requirements, and detailed steps to assist the community with immigration procedures.
- Stay for Higher Education: Link
- Spanish Nationality by Residence: Link
- Non-Lucrative Residence: Link
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