Isabel Castro, the Minister of State for Immigration, outlined a budget increase for immigration policies and announced the creation of 17 new centers with a capacity of 6,100 reception beds. This represents an expansion of 5,700 places compared with 2019 and marks a significant step in strengthening Spain’s reception system for asylum seekers and migrants.
The detailed accounts from the Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration describe eight new international protection reception centers (CAPI) along with seven first destination centers (CPLL) to be established in the Canary Islands and two on the mainland.
Temporary facilities are planned to provide initial admission services during a stay of roughly six weeks to two months. These centers will deliver essential social assistance while the CAPI facilities will accommodate stays of six months to a year, offering shelter, care, emergency support, primary psychosocial services, and additional social services.
In 2019 Spain’s capacity stood at around 400 immigrant places in its centers. Castro recalled that with the construction of the new centers, financed by 215 million euros from the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan, the number of available spots will rise by 5,700. The government anticipates reaching a total of 6,100 reception beds in public administration entities by 2024.
Recurrent tendering across autonomous communities
The minister indicated that new centers will be built in Valladolid, Soria, Azuqueca de Henares (Guadalajara) and Mérida (Badajoz).
Additionally, the foreign affairs ministry reaffirmed its commitment to supporting displaced populations affected by the war in Ukraine. The four Reception, Care and Referral Centers (CREADE) in Pozuelo de Alarcón (Madrid), Malaga, Alicante and Barcelona will continue to operate alongside ongoing efforts to assist those displaced by conflict.
Efforts to promote work and social integration for people who arrive under reception arrangements will continue, with ongoing support measures such as financial assistance of 400 euros per month plus 100 euros per dependent child for Ukrainian families outside the state network. This provision has not yet reached all refugees.
The budget statement highlighted a 29% increase for the Secretariat, bringing total funding to 815 million euros. Among the planned policies is the implementation of a new immigration regulation in 2023, aimed at strengthening circular migration, reducing irregular pathways, and improving the legal status of migrants.
“The objective is to advance a path of regular, safe, and legal migration,” stated Jose Luis Escrivá, the minister responsible for accession, social security and immigration, during the presentation. He described the regulatory updates and policy measures as foundations for a system where non-EU nationals can approach Spain through clear, legitimate channels rather than seeking irregular routes.