The Spanish Commission for Refugee Aid (CEAR) has issued a stark warning regarding the state of asylum in Spain and Europe, highlighting that so-called “hostile policies” are preventing millions of individuals from seeking protection in safe countries, forcing them to remain in high-risk environments. Despite a slight global decrease in the number of forcibly displaced persons in 2025, reaching 117.5 million, CEAR emphasizes that the need for international protection has not diminished but has been exacerbated by conflicts, violence, political instability, and the climate crisis.
CEAR's report interprets this global decline not as an improvement in war or persecution conditions, but as a result of increased “barriers to seeking protection.” The Community of Madrid once again stands out as the primary entry point and processing hub for asylum applications in Spain, accounting for 3 out of every 10 applications registered nationwide, with a total of 43,585 applications in 2025. It is followed by Andalusia (20,013) and Catalonia (17,206). Despite this concentration, the Madrid region experienced an 8% drop in applications compared to the previous year.
Nationally, Spain recorded a 13.7% reduction in asylum applications, reversing the upward trend of recent years. CEAR attributes this decrease to agreements with third countries aimed at curbing migratory flows and the deterrent effect of the Foreigner's Regulation. A particularly alarming figure is the drop of over seven percentage points in the asylum recognition rate, which now stands at 11%. This places Spain among the European Union countries with the lowest rate of favorable resolutions, significantly below the EU average of 34%.
The organization also expresses concern over the recently implemented European Pact on Migration and Asylum, which entered into force on June 12. CEAR warns that this regulation could further complicate access to protection, particularly due to the creation of lists of countries considered safe, questioning the inclusion of nations with significant human rights deficits. Furthermore, it raises alarms about the future Return Regulation and its provisions for prolonged detention or expulsions to third countries.
CEAR's report extends its denunciations to rights violations within Spain, affecting access to the Minimum Living Income, adequate housing, and residency registration (empadronamiento). It also points to a worrying rise in racism and xenophobia, with a 23.6% increase in hate crimes and incidents in 2025, the highest figure recorded by the Ministry of the Interior. In response to this escalation, CEAR calls for a State Pact against hate.
Regarding migratory routes, a 62% reduction in arrivals to the Canary Islands has been observed, while arrivals in the Balearic Islands have increased by 24.5%. CEAR reminds that 15% of coastal arrivals are unaccompanied minors and advocates for the establishment of legal and safe pathways to ensure access to international protection and prevent further deaths on migratory routes.
During the report's presentation at the Congress of Deputies, the new Committee of Refugees, promoted by CEAR to foster participation and representation of individuals with lived experiences of forced displacement, was unveiled. Figures such as Ashtar Alahmad, a Syrian refugee and activist, and Kadiata Malick Diallo, a deputy from the National Assembly of Mauritania, participated in the event, underscoring the importance of reception and protection.
