Spain’s foreign-born population has nearly doubled over the past decade, reaching 10.1 million out of a total population of 49.5 million, according to new official data. This demographic shift, driven by immigration to offset low native birth rates and emigration, has intensified political divisions over migration policy.
The National Institute of Statistics (INE) reported that Morocco is the largest source of immigrants, with 1.17 million residents, followed by Colombia (980,000) and Venezuela (690,000). Significant arrivals from these countries were recorded in 2025 alone.
This increase occurs as the anti-immigration Vox party has surged in popularity, climbing from 2% in 2018 polls to 18% recently. Vox, which holds 33 parliamentary seats, advocates for the deportation of all undocumented migrants and the “remigration” of certain legal immigrants who fail to integrate. The party’s influence grew further with recent regional election gains.
Despite this pressure, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s socialist-led government has maintained a pro-migration stance. Last month, Sánchez announced plans to regularize over 500,000 undocumented immigrants, a move criticized by the right and by some EU officials. They warn it could facilitate movement across the Schengen border-free zone, contradicting broader EU efforts to control migration. Sánchez defended the policy in a commentary, stating that Europe “needs migrants” for economic stability and that Spain has a “moral duty” to be welcoming.
The government’s coalition partner, Podemos, has employed more confrontational rhetoric. MEP Irene Montero recently stated she hopes for “replacement theory” to “sweep this country of fascists and racists with immigrants,” a comment interpreted by critics as endorsing a demographic shift to alter political dynamics.
The debate extends beyond Spain. In Switzerland, the right-wing Swiss People’s Party (SVP) has proposed a referendum to cap the national population at 10 million, citing pressure on housing and public services. If approved, the cap would halt new arrivals, including asylum seekers and family reunifications, once the current 9.1 million population nears the limit.
Spain’s case highlights a broader European tension: sustained immigration is reshaping demographics and political landscapes, while governments face competing pressures from demographic decline, partisan polarization, and EU-wide migration management challenges. The outcomes of Spain’s policy course and Switzerland’s referendum may signal divergent paths for how European nations address population change.
