The Ministry of the Interior has published its fortnightly report containing the accumulated data on irregular immigration for the period from 1 January to 31 December 2025. The overall balance shows a significant decrease in the total number of people arriving in Spain by sea and land routes, although with important territorial differences that require closer analysis.
At ARC Legal, we consider it essential to contextualise these figures not only from a statistical perspective, but also from a legal and administrative standpoint, as they have a direct impact on border management, reception systems, and immigration and asylum procedures.
Below, you can access the full official report of the Ministry of the Interior on irregular immigration in 2025 (in Spanish):
⏺️ Overall decrease in irregular immigration in 2025
During 2025, 36,775 people arrived in Spain by sea and land routes, compared to 64,019 in 2024, representing a reduction of 27,244 people, equivalent to a 42.6% decrease year on year.
This overall decline is mainly explained by the sharp reduction in arrivals by sea, particularly along the Canary Islands route.
⏺️ Arrivals by sea: sharp year-on-year decline
Arrivals by sea fell significantly in 2025. According to official data, 32,925 people reached Spain by sea, compared to 61,372 in 2024, a 46.4% decrease. The number of intercepted vessels also fell, from 1,810 to 1,235, representing a 31.7% reduction.
However, this general decline conceals uneven developments depending on the territory.
⏺️ Mainland Spain and the Balearic Islands
Taken together, Mainland Spain and the Balearic Islands recorded a slight increase in maritime arrivals, rising from 14,480 in 2024 to 15,108 in 2025, an increase of 4.3%, despite a reduction in the number of intercepted vessels.
- Mainland Spain: 7,787 arrivals, compared to 8,598 the previous year, representing a 9.4% decrease.
- Balearic Islands: a significant increase, with 7,321 arrivals by sea, compared to 5,882 in 2024, representing a 24.5% increase, along with a higher number of vessels.
⏺️ Canary Islands
The most striking figure in the report is the dramatic drop in arrivals to the Canary Islands. In 2025, 17,788 arrivals by sea were recorded, compared to 46,843 in 2024, representing a 62% reduction, both in terms of people and intercepted vessels.
This shift has a direct impact on the pressure placed on reception systems in the archipelago, although it does not eliminate the structural challenges associated with this route.
⏺️ Ceuta and Melilla by sea
- Ceuta: only 4 arrivals by sea in 2025, compared to 28 in 2024 (–85.7%).
- Melilla: 25 arrivals, compared to 21 the previous year (+19%).
⏺️ Increase in arrivals by land routes
In contrast to the decline in maritime arrivals, the report shows a significant increase in irregular entries by land, concentrated mainly in Ceuta and Melilla.
Overall, 3,850 people entered Spain by land in 2025, compared to 2,647 in 2024, representing an increase of 45.4%.
- Ceuta: 3,523 land arrivals, compared to 2,531 in 2024 (+39.2%).
- Melilla: 327 arrivals, compared to 116 the previous year, representing a 181.9% increase, the highest percentage increase in the report.
⏺️ Interpretation of the data
From a legal perspective, these figures confirm that migration routes are highly dynamic and respond both to border control measures and to geopolitical contexts and international cooperation agreements.
The decline in maritime arrivals, particularly in the Canary Islands, does not imply the disappearance of the phenomenon, but rather a partial shift towards other routes, as evidenced by the increase in land entries in Ceuta and Melilla and the rise in arrivals in the Balearic Islands.
The overall picture of irregular immigration in Spain in 2025 shows a very significant global decrease, alongside a territorial reconfiguration of migration routes. These data must therefore be interpreted with caution and from a comprehensive perspective, taking into account both the human dimension of migration and its legal and administrative impact.
At ARC Legal, we will continue to monitor and analyse the evolution of these official indicators and their implications for the Spanish and European legal framework on immigration and migration.
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¿Prefieres leer el artículo en español 🇪🇸? Puedes encontrarlo aquí: Inmigración irregular en España en 2025: principales datos y tendencias oficiales
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 keep the information up to date and based on official sources; however, we always recommend consulting a specialised professional before initiating any procedure or making legal decisions. If you require personalised advice regarding your situation, please contact our firm.