An official report recommends standardizing the criteria for naturalization: "They primarily benefit Latin Americans."
The Economic and Social Council is calling for unaccompanied minors to have a fast track to becoming Spanish citizens at age 18.
BarcelonaA decade to begin the process of obtaining Spanish nationality is an excessive period. This is emphasized by the Economic and Social Council (CES), an advisory body to the Spanish government, which, in its report on the migration situation in Spain, warns that the Spanish system for accessing nationality by residence is too slow, unequal, and opaque, and calls for urgent reforms to guarantee equal treatment and respect for human rights. It also denounces that the unaccompanied foreign minors do not have a special pathway by obtaining a Spanish passport once they reach the age of majority, after being under the guardianship of the administration.
The document, which was presented this Wednesday at the headquarters of the Ministry of Migration in Madrid, acknowledges that in recent years there has been an increase in registered naturalizations, but maintains that the process for obtaining Spanish nationality "It retains significant structural weaknesses"Especially regarding the length of the procedures, the lack of resources, and inequality between groups. For example, Spain requires 10 years of effective residency for applicants, twice as long as most EU countries, which have an average waiting time of five years.
The Economic and Social Council (CES) highlights that Spanish law favors—positively discriminates against—people from Latin American countries, taking into account their historical and cultural ties with Spain, since they can begin applying for citizenship after two years of residency in the country, in addition to benefiting from the provisions recognized in the Law of Direct Historical Memory. "[The Spanish system for accessing citizenship] by residency maintains significant differences depending on the country or group of origin. Thus, the regulations particularly benefit Latin American countries," the statement affirms.
Conversely, citizens of African or Asian origin face a bureaucratic structure full of obstacles, ranging from the requirement to prove basic language proficiency (Spanish, and in Catalonia also Catalan) to passing a sociocultural integration assessment. All these processes involve financial costs that can represent a significant burden for vulnerable or low-income individuals.
Regarding unaccompanied minors in care, the CES considers it "especially necessary" to facilitate their automatic access to citizenship. to prevent them from remaining in administrative irregularityEspecially for those who have been under state guardianship for years, as well as for stateless persons or those in vulnerable situations, to protect these children. For this body, Spanish nationality is not a gift; rather, not obtaining it "jeopardizes the effort of social and educational integration."
14% of foreign residents
In the report, the Economic and Social Council (CES) states that immigration is essential to sustaining Spain's economic growth and demographic balance, calling for a comprehensive policy that combines security, rights, and inclusion. According to the report, 14% of the resident population has foreign nationality and almost 19% were born abroad, figures that, over the past 30 years, have placed Spain among the most diverse countries in the European Union. The study values the fundamental role of migrant women, who represent a very high percentage of the foreign population and perform essential tasks in sectors such as caregiving, healthcare, and domestic service, which are characterized by significant job insecurity and a lack of recognition. In the economic sphere, the CES notes that immigration has been crucial for the recovery after the pandemic and for filling jobs in sectors with labor shortages. Currently, people of migrant origin They represent approximately 20% of the working population and of total employment. However, the report warns of persistent labor market gaps, such as higher unemployment rates, concentration in lower-skilled jobs, and difficulties in having qualifications recognized. Regarding social cohesion, it states that Spanish society generally maintains a positive attitude toward immigration, despite the increase in rejectionist rhetoric and misinformation, but at the same time, there are calls for more action and policies to combat xenophobia and preserve social cohesion.
