The latest official data released by the Spanish Secretary of State for Migration revealed a significant lead for the Moroccan community in Spain's legal residency records. The number of Moroccans holding regular permits reached 862,190 people by the end of 2025. This large number reflects the central position of Moroccans within the demographic fabric of the northern neighbor, as they now represent a quarter of the total foreign residents holding legal permits across various Spanish regions.
The significance of these statistics lies in highlighting the trajectory of legal stability for immigrants and the growing proportion of long-term residencies, which indicates a structural shift in the nature of the Moroccan presence in Spain from seasonal migration to permanent settlement. This report provides a precise analysis of the distribution of the workforce and foreign communities, clarifying the share of each continent and geographical region from the total permits granted according to the latest updates from the Spanish authorities.
According to the official report, the total number of legally residing foreigners in Spain stood at 3,497,284 people by December 2025, with the Moroccan community taking the lead by a wide margin over other nationalities. The percentages of foreign residents in the country were distributed as follows:
- Morocco: 25% of total foreign residents.
- Ukraine: 9% of total residents.
- Colombia: 8% of total residents.
- China: 7% of total residents.
- Venezuela: 6% of total residents.
Technical details of the data indicate that 47% of these permits are long-term residencies, which enhances professional and social integration opportunities for immigrants. Regarding the geographical distribution by continents, immigrants from African countries topped the list with 35% of the total beneficiaries of residency permits, followed by immigrants from Central and South America with 33%. In subsequent ranks, immigrants from the Asian continent accounted for 16%, while non-EU or EFTA European countries recorded 15% of the total legal residents.
In conclusion, these figures, derived from the 2025 report of the Secretary of State for Migration, confirm that the Moroccan community remains the fundamental pillar of legal migration in Spain, with the continuous pace of legal status regularization and the conversion of temporary residencies to permanent ones. Platforms concerned with migration affairs invite all stakeholders to consult the official sources at the Spanish Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security, and Migration to follow updates on appointments and new regulations related to residency applications for 2026.
Official Source of the News: Spanish Secretary of State for Migration and Refugees (SecretarÃa de Estado de Migraciones)