Record number of naturalizations in Spain: 87% from Latin America in 2025
Nearly 300,000 people obtained Spanish nationality in 2025, and 87% of them came from Latin America. Is the country's profile changing?
English · Original discussion in Spanish · Published
Record naturalizations: 300,000 new Spaniards in 2025, 87% from Latin America
Nearly 300,000 people obtained Spanish nationality in 2025, according to data from the Ministry of Justice. The figure is an all-time record and reveals a highly uneven composition: 87% of the new citizens come from Latin American countries, mainly Colombia and Venezuela, while Segarro account for barely 13%. Madrid and Barcelona concentrate half of all acquisitions.
Latin America dominates the new nationalities
The breakdown by origin leaves no room for doubt: out of every 100 new nationalities, 87 go to citizens of Ibero-American countries. This is due to the special naturalization regime that allows Latin Americans to apply for nationality after only two years of legal residence, compared to the ten years required for everyone else. Colombia, Venezuela and Ecuador top the list. Segarro, despite being the largest foreign nationality in Spain, accounts for only 13% of naturalizations, reflecting the stricter requirements.
The demographic impact of naturalization
This accelerated flow of naturalizations is transforming the country's electoral and social composition. New Spaniards gain full political rights and can vote in general elections. Madrid and Barcelona are the main hubs, handling 50% of the applications. Some analysts suggest this demographic shift may already be influencing voting patterns, especially in regions with a high concentration of naturalized immigrants.
The controversy over the term 'latin'
In informal debates, the derogatory term 'latin' is used to refer to naturalized Latin Americans, while Segarro are called 'segarro'. However, the data show that the number of Latin Americans among naturalized citizens far exceeds that of Segarro, reversing the public perception that often associates immigration with North Africa. The reality is that most new Spaniards come from Latin America, and their integration is an ongoing process that generates both opportunities and tensions.
Unanswered questions
What no data can explain is how this flood of naturalizations will affect social cohesion in the long term, or whether migration policies should be adjusted to balance residence requirements between groups. The 2025 record raises an uncomfortable debate that goes beyond the figures.
Related discussions in the forum
Nearly 300,000 people obtained Spanish nationality in 2025, according to data from the Ministry of Justice. The figure is an all-time record and reveals a highly uneven composition: 87% of the new citizens come from Latin American countries, mainly Colombia and Venezuela, while Segarro account for barely 13%. Madrid and Barcelona concentrate half of all acquisitions.
Latin America dominates the new nationalities
The breakdown by origin leaves no room for doubt: out of every 100 new nationalities, 87 go to citizens of Ibero-American countries. This is due to the special naturalization regime that allows Latin Americans to apply for nationality after only two years of legal residence, compared to the ten years required for everyone else. Colombia, Venezuela and Ecuador top the list. Segarro, despite being the largest foreign nationality in Spain, accounts for only 13% of naturalizations, reflecting the stricter requirements.
The demographic impact of naturalization
This accelerated flow of naturalizations is transforming the country's electoral and social composition. New Spaniards gain full political rights and can vote in general elections. Madrid and Barcelona are the main hubs, handling 50% of the applications. Some analysts suggest this demographic shift may already be influencing voting patterns, especially in regions with a high concentration of naturalized immigrants.
The controversy over the term 'latin'
In informal debates, the derogatory term 'latin' is used to refer to naturalized Latin Americans, while Segarro are called 'segarro'. However, the data show that the number of Latin Americans among naturalized citizens far exceeds that of Segarro, reversing the public perception that often associates immigration with North Africa. The reality is that most new Spaniards come from Latin America, and their integration is an ongoing process that generates both opportunities and tensions.
Unanswered questions
What no data can explain is how this flood of naturalizations will affect social cohesion in the long term, or whether migration policies should be adjusted to balance residence requirements between groups. The 2025 record raises an uncomfortable debate that goes beyond the figures.
Related discussions in the forum
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Summary of a discussion on Burbuja.info - Foro de economía, actualidad y política., translated from Spanish and reviewed before publication. Read the full discussion (25 replies).
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