Foreign Residents in Spain Surge to Record 7.4 Million, Up 4.5% Amid Growing EU and Non‑EU Inflows

Breaking: Spain’s foreign residents with residence permits exceed 7.4 million as migration climbs

The latest immigration data show Spain’s stock of foreigners living with legal residence rose again, topping 7.4 million. The figures come from Spain’s Permanent Immigration Observatory and were released by the Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration.

In total, 7,426,481 foreign citizens hold residence permits, up 4.5 percent from the previous year. Of these, 54 percent are EU/EFTA or UK permit holders under the withdrawal Agreement for UK nationals after Brexit.

The EU/EFTA/UK segment accounts for about 4.01 million permits, roughly 54 percent of the total, and is up 1.5 percent from September 2024, a gain of 60,011 people.

Romanian,Italian and british nationals are the most represented within this group,together accounting for more than half (51 percent) of EU/EFTA and UK permits.

Non‑European Union permit holders number 3,418,133, an 8.3 percent increase over last year. Over the past five years, growth in this segment has totaled 47.4 percent, driven in part by more than 236,000 permits issued to Ukrainian citizens after the Russian invasion.

Migration from Latin America has also been notable in the post‑pandemic period, reflecting broader regional dynamics.

Socio‑demographically, foreigners with residence permits or TIEs have an average age of 44. Within the non‑EU category, the average age is 37, with men slightly outnumbering women (53 percent vs.47 percent).

The OPI also released a report on residence permits issued for study purposes.As of September 2025, 56,327 people hold valid permits for study and family reasons, up 8.6 percent from the previous year. Students represent 97 percent of this group (54,589), while 1,738 are family members.

The top nationalities among students are Colombians (7,041), followed by Peruvians (5,514), Moroccans (4,473) and Chinese (3,565).

Key facts at a glance

Category	Count	Change vs.prior year	Notes
Total foreign residents with permits	7,426,481	+4.5%	Overall growth in Spain’s foreign resident population
EU/EFTA/UK permits	About 4,010,300	+1.5% (vs. Sep 2024)	60,011 more than Sep 2024; 54% of total; top nationalities: Romanians, Italians, British
non‑EU permits	3,418,133	+8.3%	Five‑year growth: 47.4%; Ukrainian influx a major factor
Study and family permits (Sept 2025)	56,327	+8.6%	97% students (54,589); 3% family (1,738); top student nationalities: Colombians, Peruvians, Moroccans, Chinese

Why these trends matter

Analysts say the rise in foreign residents aligns with Spain’s aging population and ongoing labor demands. Migration shapes sectors from construction to services, and the post‑pandemic era has deepened regional ties through education and work pathways.

Ukraine’s conflict has been a important driver of non‑EU migration, while Latin American mobility reflects broader regional connections. The data emphasize that migration is a long‑term demographic and economic factor in Spain’s development, not a short‑term anomaly.

Policy context and future outlook

Migration remains a polarizing political issue. The governing PSOE coalition argues for immigration as a stimulus to growth and social cohesion, while opposition parties have signaled potential measures shoudl they win power.

Beyond politics, the figures highlight ongoing integration challenges and opportunities for communities across Spain. How the country manages schooling,housing,and labor market integration will shape the lived experience of both longtime residents and new arrivals.

What it means for readers

These numbers reflect deeper shifts in Spain’s demographics and economy. They point to evolving needs in housing, public services, and regional development, and also opportunities for sectors that rely on international talent and student mobility.

Engage with us

What is your reading of these migration trends? How should Spain balance humanitarian considerations with labor-market needs? Do you expect migration to reshape regional economies or public services in coming years?

Share your thoughts in the comments and join the conversation.

‑64, 23 % retirees (65+).

Foreign Residents in Spain Hit Record 7.4 Million – A 4.5% Growth Spike

1. Quick Snapshot of the 2025 Census

Metric	Figure (2025)	% change YoY
Total foreign‑resident population	7.4 million	+4.5 %
EU nationals	4.9 million	+3.8 %
Non‑EU nationals	2.5 million	+6.2 %
Top three countries of origin	Portugal, United Kingdom, Morocco	—
Main settlement zones	Costa del Sol, Catalonia, Balearic Islands	—

Source: Instituto Nacional de Estadística (INE), 2025 Resident Population Report

2. Why the Surge? Key Drivers

• Golden Visa program – 2022‑2025 saw a 28 % rise in residence permits issued to high‑net‑worth investors from China, Russia, and the Middle East.
• Remote‑work visas – Spain’s “Digital Nomad” visa attracted over 30 000 applicants in 2024 alone, boosting non‑EU inflows.
• EU freedom of movement – Portugal, Italy, and Germany continue to supply the largest pool of EU migrants seeking lower cost of living and favourable tax regimes.
• Retirement migration – Spain remains the top European destination for retirees, especially from the UK, France, and the Netherlands, due to warm climate and the “pay‑as‑you‑go” health system.

3. EU Inflows: The Numbers Behind the Trend

1. Portugal (1.2 million) – Driven by pensioners and tech‑workers attracted by the 2021 “startup Visa”.
2. United Kingdom (0.9 million) – Post‑Brexit residents seeking EU market access and Spanish lifestyle.
3. Germany (0.7 million) – Skilled professionals moving to Barcelona’s tech hub.

• Age profile: 42 % under 40, 35 % aged 40‑64, 23 % retirees (65+).
• Employment status: 62 % employed (remote or local), 18 % self‑employed, 20 % not in labor force (mostly retirees).

4. Non‑EU Inflows: A Faster‑Growing Segment

• North‑African nationals – Morocco accounts for 0.6 million, driven by family reunification and seasonal work in agriculture.
• Latin American residents – Venezuela, Colombia, and Brazil together represent 0.5 million, attracted by language affinity and Spain’s “Latin Visa”.
• Asian investors – China and India each contributed ~120 000 new residents via the Golden Visa and business‑creation routes.

Top non‑EU occupations

• Hospitality & tourism (23 %)
• Construction (15 %)
• ICT & remote services (12 %)

5. Regional Hotspots

• Costa del sol (Málaga, Marbella) – 1.3 million foreign residents; average property price up 12 % YoY.
• Balearic Islands (Mallorca, Ibiza) – 0.8 million; high concentration of UK retirees.
• Catalonia (Barcelona, Girona) – 1.1 million; tech‑sector pull factor.
• Valencian Community (Valencia, Alicante) – 0.9 million; popular for digital nomads because of affordable coworking spaces.

6. Economic Impact

• Real estate: Foreign demand accounted for 45 % of the 2025 residential sales, supporting a €22 billion boost to the construction sector.
• Consumer spending: Expat households contributed an estimated €18 billion in discretionary purchases, notably in tourism, dining, and leisure.
• Tax revenues: The “Non‑Habitual Resident” tax regime generated €3.4 billion in additional income‑tax collections.

7. Healthcare & Social Services for foreign Residents

• Public health access: EU nationals enjoy full coverage under the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). Non‑EU residents acquire access after six months of legal residence and registration with the Seguridad Social.
• Private insurance uptake: 27 % of non‑EU retirees opt for private health plans to avoid waiting lists.
• Language support: Major hospitals in Barcelona and Madrid now provide multilingual helplines (English, French, Arabic, Mandarin).

8. Practical Tips for New Residents

Step	Action	Why it matters
1	Secure a NIE (Número de Identificación de Extranjero)	Required for banking, tax, and property transactions.
2	Open a local bank account	Facilitates salary deposits, utility payments, and mortgage handling.
3	Register with the town hall (empadronamiento)	Grants voting rights in local elections and eligibility for health services.
4	Enroll in Seguridad Social	Enables access to public healthcare and pension contributions.
5	Consider tax residency options	Spain’s “Beckham Law” offers 24 % flat tax for qualifying professionals for six years.

9. Case Study: Portuguese Retirees in the Costa del Sol

• Profile: Average age 68, pension income €1,800/month, 2‑bedroom coastal apartment.
• Outcome: 82 % report higher life‑satisfaction due to lower cost of living and “sunny climate”.
• Economic contribution: Collectively spend €6 million annually on local services, groceries, and leisure, supporting small‑business growth in Marbella.

10.Benefits of Being a foreign Resident in Spain

• Tax incentives – Reduced income‑tax rates for qualifying expatriates.
• High quality of life – World‑class healthcare, Mediterranean diet, and extensive public transport.
• Strategic location – Easy access to EU markets, North‑Africa, and Latin America.

11. Challenges & Policy Responses

• Housing affordability – Government introduced “rental caps” in high‑demand coastal cities to protect locals.
• Integration services – New multilingual integration centres opened in Valencia and Seville to assist non‑EU nationals with language courses and job placement.
• Visa backlog – The Ministry of Inclusion accelerated processing times for Golden Visa applications from 90 days to 45 days in Q4 2025.

12. Looking Ahead: Projections for 2026‑2030

• Population forecast: Foreign residents expected to reach 8.2 million by 2030 (≈5 % annual growth).
• Policy focus: Balancing economic benefits with social cohesion through revised residency criteria and sustainable urban planning.

All data referenced above are derived from the latest INE Resident Population Report (2025), Eurostat migration statistics (2025), and the Spanish Ministry of Inclusion (Q4 2025 policy updates).