Lorraine Williamson
Spain’s far-right party Vox has reignited the country’s immigration debate with a sharp attack on the very definition of who is Spanish. In parliament, party spokesperson José María Figaredo claimed that 2.5 million people born outside Spain “should not be considered Spaniards”, even though many hold full Spanish nationality.
He cited a figure of 9.7 million “foreigners” living in Spain—19.6% of the population—well above official estimates.
The remarks mark a clear escalation in Vox’s long-running campaign to tighten nationality rules, challenging a legal framework that has historically embraced the children of Spanish parents born abroad, naturalised migrants, and returning emigrants.
Inflated numbers versus official data
Spain’s National Statistics Institute (INE) paints a different picture. Its latest data show around 6.9 million foreign residents—roughly 14% of the population. Vox arrives at its higher total by counting everyone born outside Spain, even those who became citizens through naturalisation or descent. Under Spanish law, these people are unequivocally Spanish, yet Figaredo’s rhetoric casts doubt on their belonging.
Economics used as a weapon
Backing its stance, Vox points to a report from its own think tank, Fundación Disenso, which claims immigration is only fiscally beneficial if newcomers earn more than €45,150 a year—well above Spain’s average salary. The party argues that many migrants fall short of this threshold and therefore strain pensions, education, and healthcare.
However, economists and migration researchers have dismissed the analysis as flawed. They highlight the crucial role of migrant workers in sectors such as agriculture, construction, and hospitality, and stress that profitability tests are not applied to low-income Spaniards. Critics warn that such selective economics serves a political agenda rather than a genuine fiscal concern.
International stage for a domestic message
Vox’s anti-immigration narrative is no longer confined to Spain. A recent video from London shows party leader Santiago Abascal (via video link) addressing a massive Unite the Kingdom rally organised by British activist Tommy Robinson. Speaking with English subtitles, Abascal warned that both the UK and Spain face a “critical state” due to an “invasion of illegal immigrants”. Shared on X (formerly Twitter), the clip has been viewed more than eight million times, amplifying Vox’s message across Europe and aligning it with a broader far-right network.
Madrid halts VOX protest at migrant centre as migration debate intensifies
Citizenship as political battleground
By questioning the status of millions of legally recognised Spaniards, Vox seeks to energise voters who fear cultural loss and rising welfare costs. The party has already called for stricter naturalisation criteria and a review of existing citizenships, moves that would break sharply with Spain’s inclusive nationality tradition.
A challenge to Spain’s identity
Spain’s nationality laws have long been among the most open in Europe, recognising the realities of migration, colonial history, and a large diaspora. Vox’s push to redefine who counts as Spanish threatens to undermine that consensus, deepening political divides and testing the country’s commitment to an identity rooted in both heritage and diversity.
Source: El País