Spain Grants Citizenship to Nearly 300,000 Foreigners in 2025, a Record High

Kathmandu. Spanish government officials informed on Thursday that approximately 300,000 foreigners were granted Spanish citizenship in 2025. This marks the highest number of immigrants granted citizenship in a single year since official statistics began to be collected more than a decade ago.

Unlike much of Europe, Spain has adopted a relatively welcoming approach to immigrants, arguing that this step is necessary to meet the needs of an aging population and labor shortages.

A statement released by the National Statistics Institute stated, "A total of 299,732 people were granted Spanish citizenship last year, which is 19 percent more than in 2024."

This is the highest annual green card distribution since immigration records began in 2013.

The largest group of new citizens is from Morocco, followed by Colombia in second place and Venezuela in third. Immigrants from Honduras also received a significant number of citizenships, ranking fourth.

The period reflects long-standing legal provisions that make it easier for citizens of many former Spanish colonies to obtain citizenship, with the majority of immigrants (9 out of every 10) granted citizenship during that time.

Latin American citizens can apply for permanent residency (citizenship) after two years of legal residence, while the standard requirement for other foreigners is 10 years.

The socialist-led government of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced plans in January of this year to grant residency and work permits to approximately 500,000 undocumented immigrants.

This measure will apply to all immigrants who arrived on Spanish soil before December 31, 2025, and have resided in Spain for at least five months. Individuals with a criminal record will not be eligible.

According to statistics, Spain has a population of approximately 50 million residents, including 7.3 million foreign residents.