In 2025, Spain granted citizenship to a record number of foreign residents—299,732 people—which is 18.7% more than the previous year. This was the highest figure since 2013, when the INE began compiling these statistics. In 2024, 252,476 foreigners received Spanish citizenship; in 2023, 240,208; and in 2022, 181,581.
The largest group of new Spanish citizens in 2025 were immigrants from Morocco—42,114 people. They were followed by citizens of Colombia—37,712, Venezuela—36,271, Honduras—20,745, Peru—15,920, Cuba—14,390, Ecuador—13,689, Argentina—11,291, the Dominican Republic—9,915, and Nicaragua—8,951
Thus, nine out of the ten largest groups of new Spanish citizens came from countries in Latin America and the Caribbean. This reflects the specifics of Spanish legislation: for citizens of Ibero-American countries, as well as certain other categories, the residency requirement for applying for citizenship can be significantly shorter than the standard 10-year period.
In terms of the method of obtaining citizenship, the majority of cases involved naturalization through residency—253,836. Another 45,715 people obtained citizenship through an option applicable, in particular, to individuals who were under the parental authority of a Spanish citizen, or to those whose father or mother was Spanish and was born in Spain.
Women accounted for 55.4% of Spain’s new citizens, while men accounted for 44.6%. The largest age group was people aged 30 to 39, followed by those aged 40 to 49.
Regionally, the highest number of new citizens was registered in Catalonia—70,933—and the Community of Madrid—69,566. Together, these two regions accounted for 46.9% of all cases of Spanish citizenship acquisition in 2025. They were followed by the Valencian Community—32,388, Andalusia—27,538, the Basque Country—14,230—and the Canary Islands—13,366
Ukrainian citizens were also included in Spain’s naturalization statistics but do not belong to the largest groups of new citizens. According to a detailed INE table, 2,588 Ukrainian citizens obtained Spanish citizenship in 2024.
In 2023, there were 2,693 such cases, in 2022 – 3,206, in 2021 – 2,167, and in 2020 – 2,254.
The Ukrainian presence in Spain remains significant. According to data from Spain’s Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security, and Migration, as of December 31, 2025, there were 338,576 Ukrainian citizens in the country with valid residence permits. By March 31, 2026, that number had risen to 345,995 people.
The growth in the number of new Spanish citizens is occurring against the backdrop of an increase in the country’s foreign population and Madrid’s active migration policy. Spain remains one of the key destinations for migrants from Latin America, North Africa, and Eastern Europe, as well as one of the EU’s most popular markets for relocation, labor migration, and real estate purchases.
These statistics are important for the real estate market, as naturalization and long-term residency boost domestic demand for housing. Unlike traditional foreign investors, new citizens and long-term residents are more likely to purchase real estate not only for investment or vacation purposes, but also for permanent residence, work, family integration, and their children’s education.
For Ukrainians, Spain also remains a notable destination for residence, although the mass naturalization of Ukrainian citizens has not yet reached the scale seen among Latin American and Moroccan groups.
