Irregular migrant arrivals to Spain down nearly half in 1st quarter compared to 2025

GENEVA

Irregular migrant arrivals to Spain fell by nearly half in the first three months of the year, according to official data published Wednesday.

A total of 6,218 migrants reached the country between January and March, down 48.1% from 11,988 recorded during the same period in 2025, figures from the Spanish Interior Ministry showed.

The decline was driven largely by a sharp drop in arrivals to the Canary Islands, which fell by 82.6% compared to last year. The archipelago still recorded the highest number of sea arrivals, with 1,640 migrants, but far fewer than the 9,424 registered a year earlier.

Overall, 4,352 people arrived by sea aboard 159 precarious boats, a decrease of 43.2%.

In contrast, arrivals increased on other routes, according to the data. Mainland Spain saw a 24.2% rise, with 1,524 migrants reaching its shores, while the Balearic Islands recorded a 23.6% increase to 1,179 arrivals.

Land crossings also surged in Ceuta, rising by 435% to 1,819 entries, while Melilla saw a smaller increase.

No sea arrivals were recorded in Ceuta, while nine were registered in Melilla.