Spain’s Ministry of the Interior published its latest Irregular Migration Monitoring Report on 3 November. The data show that 30,263 people entered Spain irregularly between 1 January and 31 October 2025, a year-on-year fall of 35.8 %. Maritime arrivals—traditionally the main entry channel—dropped almost 40 % to 27,001 people and 1,066 small craft.
The sharpest decline occurred in the Canary Islands, which saw 14,099 arrivals (-58.6 %) after record numbers in 2024. Officials credit reinforced maritime patrols, joint operations with Senegal and Mauritania, and the opening of legal labour channels for West-African workers. Conversely, landings on the Balearic coasts rose 66 % to 6,280, confirming NGO warnings that smugglers are shifting routes northwards as surveillance tightens further south.
![Spain records 30,263 irregular arrivals so far in 2025; Balearic landings surge 66 %]()
Interior sources say the overall fall eases pressure on Spain’s reception network, now down to 78 % occupancy, but regional governments such as the Balearics demand extra funding to cope with the localized spike. Business groups note that lower irregular flows could reduce last-minute staffing headaches in agriculture and hospitality—sectors that often rely on emergency work authorisations.
The report fuels the political debate over the new Foreigners Regulation (in force since May), which aims to regularise 300,000 undocumented workers a year. Supporters argue that safer, legal pathways are already discouraging dangerous sea crossings; critics counter that dismantling criminal networks requires faster EU solidarity on relocation and returns.
For mobility managers, the numbers hint at smoother border operations this winter—especially at Canarian airports, where biometric Entry/Exit System (EES) trials are under way. Companies relocating staff to Spain should still monitor regional policy shifts, particularly in the Balearics, where local authorities may tighten housing rules for temporary migrant workers.
The sharpest decline occurred in the Canary Islands, which saw 14,099 arrivals (-58.6 %) after record numbers in 2024. Officials credit reinforced maritime patrols, joint operations with Senegal and Mauritania, and the opening of legal labour channels for West-African workers. Conversely, landings on the Balearic coasts rose 66 % to 6,280, confirming NGO warnings that smugglers are shifting routes northwards as surveillance tightens further south.
Interior sources say the overall fall eases pressure on Spain’s reception network, now down to 78 % occupancy, but regional governments such as the Balearics demand extra funding to cope with the localized spike. Business groups note that lower irregular flows could reduce last-minute staffing headaches in agriculture and hospitality—sectors that often rely on emergency work authorisations.
The report fuels the political debate over the new Foreigners Regulation (in force since May), which aims to regularise 300,000 undocumented workers a year. Supporters argue that safer, legal pathways are already discouraging dangerous sea crossings; critics counter that dismantling criminal networks requires faster EU solidarity on relocation and returns.
For mobility managers, the numbers hint at smoother border operations this winter—especially at Canarian airports, where biometric Entry/Exit System (EES) trials are under way. Companies relocating staff to Spain should still monitor regional policy shifts, particularly in the Balearics, where local authorities may tighten housing rules for temporary migrant workers.
