Spain’s decision not to support the new EU regulation on fast-track returns of irregular migrants was an unexpected move that has already raised concerns among European partners. For Spanish citizens, this could signal possible changes in migration policy and closer public scrutiny of government actions as EU pressure increases. The issue of controlling migrant flows and ensuring efficient deportations has become particularly relevant given Madrid’s plans for large-scale regularization.
Spain’s position
At the end of April, the European Parliament approved a new regulation aimed at simplifying the process of returning irregular migrants and allowing the creation of deportation centers outside the EU. Most countries backed the initiative, including social democrats from Denmark, Malta, and Latvia. However, representatives of PSOE voted against it, making Spain the only country to oppose the regulation. According to russpain.com, this decision sets Madrid apart from the rest of the bloc and raises questions about policy coherence.
Javier Zarzalejos, an MEP from the PPE, believes that Spain risks becoming the weak link in Europe’s migration system. He points out that the country enforces fewer than 10% of deportation orders, while the EU average reaches 20%. In his view, this gap creates conditions for an increase in irregular stays and undermines trust in migration mechanisms.
At the same time, the European Commission has expressed concern about the Spanish government’s plans to legalize more than a million migrants. Brussels believes that such a large-scale measure could lead to additional risks and complicate oversight of the situation.
Details of the new regulation
The regulation adopted by the European Parliament provides for the creation of deportation centers only in countries that meet international human rights standards. A similar approach was used with Turkey after the 2016 migration crisis, but the results were limited—only a few thousand people were returned over several years. The new regulation also introduces fast-track procedures for processing asylum applications and requires coordinated actions from EU countries to improve the effectiveness of returns.
Zarzalejos emphasizes that without the actual implementation of the new rules and the establishment of centers in ‘safe third countries,’ the EU’s migration policy will remain formal. He also points out the need to conclude additional agreements with the countries of origin to ensure the return of migrants.
Particular attention is paid to security guarantees and preventing abuse. Specifically, there is discussion about the potential forgery of documents confirming migrants’ length of stay in Spain, as well as the risks involved in replacing a criminal record certificate with a simple declaration.
European Commission’s response
The European Commission cannot directly intervene in national decisions regarding legalization, but closely monitors their impact on other EU countries. If Spain’s actions result in negative consequences for union partners, Brussels reserves the right to initiate further inspections and measures. As noted by EL ESPAÑOL, in February the European Commissioner for Migration, Magnus Brunner, reminded that irregular migrants must leave EU territory; otherwise, trust in the rules will be undermined.
In Spain, the new regulation has sparked lively debates among politicians and experts. Some believe that refusing to support the document could isolate the country on migration issues, while others stress the importance of considering national interests and local realities.
In the context of recent Supreme Court decisions, which have recently confirmed the state status of the historic Pazo de Meirás site, questions about balancing national and European interests are once again coming to the forefront. Read more about how such decisions affect domestic policy in our article on the consequences of the court ruling regarding Pazo de Meirás.
Context and consequences
In recent years, Spain has experienced a rise in both legal and illegal migration. Authorities have repeatedly attempted to reform the deportation system, but these measures have shown limited effectiveness. Previous large-scale regularization efforts sparked debate both within the country and among EU partners. In 2024–2025, similar initiatives were discussed in Italy and France, where a more cautious approach with additional filters and checks was adopted.
The introduction of new European regulations on migrant returns could redefine migration policies and impact the internal politics of member states. With Spain in the spotlight, the country must balance Brussels’ demands with its own interests. The coming months are expected to see active debate over new control mechanisms and potential legislative adjustments.
According to russpain.com, the situation with deportations and regularizations in Spain remains among the most challenging in Europe. Issues concerning procedural transparency, safety guarantees, and cooperation with third countries continue to spark debate among experts and politicians. Attention to these topics is only set to intensify in the near future.
