The Oficina de Asilo y Refugio (OAR), part of the Spanish Ministry of the Interior, has published the statistical report for September 2025 on international and temporary protection, providing a detailed overview of the number of applications and decisions issued so far this year.
In a global context marked by conflicts in the Middle East, political instability in Latin America, and growing tensions in the Sahel, Spain continues to play a key role within the European Union as a host country for those seeking protection.
⏺️ International protection: over 108,000 applications in 2025
Between 1 January and 30 September 2025, Spain registered 108,649 international protection applications, representing a 12% increase compared to August.
The main countries of origin of applicants were:
- Venezuela: 63,326 applications
- Colombia: 11,845 applications
- Mali: 11,321 applications
- Senegal: 2,951 applications
- Peru: 2,937 applications
The trend once again confirms Latin America (Venezuela and Colombia) as the main region of origin, alongside the growing representation of countries from West Africa and the Sahel (Mali, Senegal).
Regarding the place of application:
- 102,450 applications were submitted within national territory
- 4,084 at border posts
- 611 in immigration detention centres (CIE)
- 1,504 through Spanish embassies (family extensions)
⏺️ Territorial distribution
Applications remain concentrated in the main host regions:
- Community of Madrid: 31,539
- Andalusia: 15,512
- Catalonia: 12,567
- Canary Islands: 5,837
- Basque Country: 5,649
This concentration highlights the pressure on major urban areas and entry points, which continue to face high administrative workloads and increasing demand for reception capacity.
⏺️ Recognition and protection rates
During the first nine months of 2025, the recognition rate (granting refugee status or subsidiary protection) stood at 10.12%, while the overall protection rate — including humanitarian residence authorisations — reached 45.73%.
Although the strict recognition of refugee status remains limited, nearly half of all applicants in Spain obtain some form of protection, reflecting the relevance of humanitarian authorisations, particularly for nationals of Venezuela and Colombia.
⏺️ Temporary Protection: 2,922 decisions in September
In the area of temporary protection, the OAR issued 2,922 decisions in September 2025.
The regions with the highest number of decisions were:
- Andalusia: 698 (mainly Málaga, with 597)
- Valencian Community: 666 (Alicante 446, Valencia 198)
- Community of Madrid: 658
- Catalonia: 305
- Canary Islands: 120
By province, Alicante (446), Madrid (658), Málaga (597), and Barcelona (168) stand out as the main centres of processing and approval.
⏺️ Spain, a key country for protection and reception
With more than 108,000 asylum applications in nine months and almost 3,000 temporary protection decisions in just one month, Spain reaffirms its position as one of the leading European countries in international and humanitarian protection.
⏺️ Need legal guidance?
At ARC Legal, we assist applicants for asylum, international protection, and temporary protection in Spain, providing specialised legal advice from the submission of the application to the final decision. Our commitment is to safeguard your rights and accompany you through every stage of the process. Contact our team for assistance.
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- Asylum applications and decisions in the European Union: June and Q2 2025 data
- DGGM extends Criterion 4/2025 on the calculation of irregular residence after asylum decisions
¿Prefieres leer el artículo en español 🇪🇸? Aquí te dejamos el enlace: España registra más de 108.000 solicitudes de asilo en los nueve primeros meses de 2025
The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy and currency, immigration regulations are subject to change and interpretation by the competent authorities. For personalised and up-to-date legal guidance, we recommend consulting an immigration lawyer.