Spain Charts an Independent Path with Bold Immigration Policies

Spain is distinguishing itself from prevailing Western political currents by adopting a notably open stance on immigration. Unlike many democracies tightening their borders, Spain has recently implemented policies that actively welcome migrants, signaling a broader shift in its national approach.

Significant changes took effect in May, easing the process for migrants to secure residency and work authorization. Furthermore, the Spanish Parliament is considering legislation that would grant amnesty to undocumented immigrants, potentially paving the way for citizenship for over one million individuals. This development corresponds with an unprecedented influx of nearly three million non-European Union-born residents between 2021 and 2023.

Demographic challenges are a key driver of these reforms. With a birthrate of 1.4 — the second lowest in the European Union and well below the 2.1 replacement level — Spain faces a declining population currently estimated at around 48 million. The country’s robust economy, the fourth largest in the EU, is heavily reliant on tourism and other sectors with labor shortages that local workers have been reluctant to fill.

Unlike the strong resistance seen elsewhere, opposition to these immigration measures in Spain has been comparatively mild. Much of the momentum originated from civil society, including a widely supported petition that gathered 600,000 signatures and endorsements from hundreds of NGOs, business organizations, and even the Spanish Conference of Bishops. The government’s approach is thus both humane and pragmatic, offering a model for other nations.

Spain’s unique historical context contributes significantly to this openness. Once a major source of emigrants due to its colonial past, civil war, and decades of dictatorship, millions of Spaniards were displaced by famine, political violence, and repression. Up until the 1970s, Spain also provided migrant labor to other European countries. The 2008 financial crisis triggered another wave of emigration by professionals seeking opportunities abroad.

This complex legacy has fostered a relatively high tolerance for immigration among Spaniards. A 2019 survey revealed Spain as having the most favorable European public opinion toward immigrants. Supporting this, a 2021 study reviewing decades of polling data confirmed Spain’s consistent openness compared to the European average, highlighting less rejection and greater appreciation for immigrants' societal and economic contributions.

Spain’s fragmented national identity also plays a role. Strong regional nationalist movements in Catalonia, the Basque Country, and Galicia diminish the effectiveness of right-wing politicians’ attempts to rally anti-immigrant sentiment through xenophobic or nationalist rhetoric. The rise of an explicitly anti-immigrant party has been slow, with the far-right Vox only gaining parliamentary representation in 2019.

Central to Spain’s immigration policy is the leadership of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, representing one of Europe’s remaining social democratic governments. His administration’s strategy is deliberate and pragmatic rather than an experiment in open borders, blending practical policy with a positive narrative that has successfully built support for progressive immigration reforms.

A key element has been prioritizing immigrants from Latin America, who can apply for citizenship after just two years due to cultural and linguistic ties. This group, predominantly Spanish-speaking and Catholic, integrates more easily even in less diverse regions. For instance, Venezuelans—now restricted from entering the United States—have found Spain accessible with just a valid passport and plane ticket, with 25,000 arriving in the first quarter of the year alone.

Spain has strategically leveraged immigration to address critical labor shortages in sectors such as technology, hospitality, agriculture, and eldercare by offering work permits to international students. Additionally, efforts to repopulate ‘Empty Spain’—areas suffering demographic decline—have included welcoming some 200,000 Ukrainian refugees since 2022, revitalizing communities at risk of disappearing.

Prime Minister Sánchez has been effective in framing immigration as an economic asset, emphasizing its role in sustaining the social security system and filling jobs unattractive to native Spaniards. Spain’s economic resilience since the pandemic, with a growth rate of 3.2 percent last year—outperforming key European economies—strengthens these arguments.

Beyond economics, Sánchez appeals to Spain’s history of migration and refuge, urging society to remember the hardships faced by previous generations in Latin America, the Caribbean, and Europe. In Parliament, he underscored the nation’s responsibility to be welcoming and supportive, reflecting a moral commitment alongside policy pragmatism.

Looking ahead, Spain’s open immigration stance faces uncertainties. Public concern over immigration is growing, fueled partly by sensationalized media coverage of African refugees risking their lives to reach the country. Despite many drownings and subsequent deportations, right-wing parties, particularly Vox, are capitalizing on the crisis. Should Vox enter government following elections before August 2027, a more restrictive immigration policy is likely.

For now, Spain’s experience demonstrates that a generous immigration policy can coexist with national prosperity and social stability. More than a challenge, immigration has become a vital resource for growth and renewal—one that many of Spain’s European counterparts have yet to embrace.