Spain’s strategy focuses on collaborating with transit nations before arrivals, a method its interior minister says strengthens Spain’s influence in EU migratory policy and positions Madrid as a leader in shaping EU rules.

This approach contrasts with several EU states tightening policies amid rising far‑right sentiment, underscoring Spain’s role in steering EU migration policy.

The interior minister stresses tackling irregular migration at its source and pursuing agreements with transit countries before arrivals.

Migrant arrivals to the Canary Islands dropped by about 62% from 2024’s peak, indicating a shift in migration patterns and ongoing enforcement effects.

Spain opposes EU plans to establish asylum processing camps outside the bloc, advocating instead to curb irregular migration at the source.

Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska argues external processing centres are not a magic solution and could provoke legal challenges and strain relations with third countries.

Rights groups, including Human Rights Watch, criticize EU and Spanish support to West African countries for preventing boat arrivals, citing abuses and detention concerns in Mauritania.

Spain reports no illegal actions against refugees’ rights and plans to bolster Mauritania and Senegal operations with more drones, vehicles, and local police support.

Spain has expanded its presence in West African transit countries—Mauritania, Senegal, and Gambia—with roughly 100 police officers and surveillance assets to deter risky crossings.

Denmark and some EU states show support for processing asylum requests in safe third countries, signaling potential shifts in EU asylum rules that Spain is diverging from.

Spain’s irregular arrivals decreased by about 42% year over year to around 36,000, contrasting with Italy’s about 66,000 arrivals, highlighting Spain’s relatively stronger performance.