The Spanish Commission for Refugee Aid (CEAR) released its annual report “Más que cifras 2025” on 3 February, highlighting that Spain recognised only 11 % of asylum claims last year—the lowest rate in the European Union. While total decisions issued rose 67 %, the number of new applications fell 14 % to 144,396, partly due to tougher border-externalisation measures and the new Foreigners’ Regulation.
Colombian, Peruvian and Senegalese filings dropped sharply, whereas claims from Venezuelan and Malian nationals increased. CEAR argues that recent digitalisation efforts have sped up processing but at the cost of thorough, individual assessments. As of year-end, 218,731 people were still waiting for a resolution, raising concerns that humanitarian protections will lag behind the government’s headline regularisation drive.
![NGO report warns Spain’s asylum protection rate hits EU-low as 218,731 cases await decision]()
For those seeking alternative legal pathways while their asylum applications are pending, specialist visa consultancies can provide valuable support. VisaHQ, for instance, offers step-by-step assistance with Spanish visa options, document preparation and timeline management, helping both employers and applicants explore lawful stay or work permits outside the overstretched asylum system. Further information is available at https://www.visahq.com/spain/
For employers, the backlog creates uncertainty for staff and dependants whose labour-market access hinges on asylum status. Although Spain issues renewable six-month work permits after applicants have waited six months, HR teams must track renewal dates closely; any negative decision triggers a 15-day appeal window.
CEAR urges the government to expand safe-migration channels and uphold international-protection standards. With public attention focused on the mass-regularisation plan, the NGO warns that asylum seekers could be overlooked unless additional resources are allocated to clear the queue.
Colombian, Peruvian and Senegalese filings dropped sharply, whereas claims from Venezuelan and Malian nationals increased. CEAR argues that recent digitalisation efforts have sped up processing but at the cost of thorough, individual assessments. As of year-end, 218,731 people were still waiting for a resolution, raising concerns that humanitarian protections will lag behind the government’s headline regularisation drive.
For those seeking alternative legal pathways while their asylum applications are pending, specialist visa consultancies can provide valuable support. VisaHQ, for instance, offers step-by-step assistance with Spanish visa options, document preparation and timeline management, helping both employers and applicants explore lawful stay or work permits outside the overstretched asylum system. Further information is available at https://www.visahq.com/spain/
For employers, the backlog creates uncertainty for staff and dependants whose labour-market access hinges on asylum status. Although Spain issues renewable six-month work permits after applicants have waited six months, HR teams must track renewal dates closely; any negative decision triggers a 15-day appeal window.
CEAR urges the government to expand safe-migration channels and uphold international-protection standards. With public attention focused on the mass-regularisation plan, the NGO warns that asylum seekers could be overlooked unless additional resources are allocated to clear the queue.
