Moroccan nationals lead Spanish citizenship naturalizations, surpassing 237,000 since 2018

Spain has granted Spanish citizenship to over 237,000 Moroccan nationals since 2018, marking a significant increase compared to prior years, according to figures from the Spanish Ministry of Social Security and Migration. This trend highlights the growing integration of Morocco’s diaspora, which has become one of the largest immigrant communities in Spain.

As reported by the EFE news agency, Moroccans remain among the top three immigrant groups in Spain, contributing to the country's record population of 49,077,984 as of January 1, 2025. Under Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s nearly seven-year tenure, the naturalization process has accelerated significantly. In contrast, during the administration of his predecessor, Mariano Rajoy, only 130,000 Moroccans were naturalized over a comparable period.

In 2023 alone, 45,799 Moroccan nationals were granted Spanish citizenship, representing a 5.4% increase from the previous year, according to the ministry's data. However, the National Statistics Institute (INE) cites an even higher figure of 54,027 naturalizations. Of those granted citizenship in 2023, 53% were male, and the average age of recipients was just 19 years, with many being former unaccompanied minors who became eligible for naturalization upon reaching adulthood.

A growing Moroccan community in Spain

The Moroccan population in Spain has continued to expand. Ministry data indicates 844,969 Moroccan residents currently live in the country, with an average age of 34. However, INE figures suggest an even higher number—approximately 1.1 million Moroccan residents—making this community larger than the populations of provinces such as Asturias, Vizcaya, or La Coruña.

In the last quarter of 2024 alone, Spain welcomed 27,700 new Moroccan immigrants, while 12,300 Moroccans left during the same period. This influx has solidified Morocco’s position as one of Spain’s most prominent immigrant groups, alongside Venezuelans and Colombians.

According to INE, Moroccan nationals accounted for 22.5% of all naturalizations in 2023, far outpacing other groups such as Venezuelans (12.6%) and Colombians (7.8%). Catalonia emerged as a key region for Moroccan naturalizations, with approximately 150,000 naturalized voters residing there by 2023. In 2022, the region recorded 16,172 Moroccan naturalizations, double the figure in Andalusia.

Citizenship process and future reforms

Spain’s naturalization process requires applicants to meet several criteria, including proof of good conduct, no criminal record, integration into Spanish society, and passing tests administered by the Instituto Cervantes. The standard process can take up to three years, with residency requirements varying by nationality and personal circumstances.

Looking ahead, the Spanish coalition government, led by PSOE and Sumar, has proposed a major regularization program that could impact approximately 700,000 undocumented immigrants who arrived in Spain before the end of 2023. If approved, it would represent the largest regularization effort in Spain’s history. Past extraordinary regularizations, such as those under José María Aznar and José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, granted permits to over 500,000 individuals in each case.

Notably, Spain has also recognized individuals for extraordinary contributions. In 2023, two young Moroccan men, aged 21 and 23, were granted citizenship for their heroism in saving a 74-year-old man from drowning in the Serós Canal in Lérida. They were among only three individuals to receive citizenship for acts of heroism between 1993 and 2024.

Rising demand for Spanish nationality

The steady flow of Moroccan naturalizations reflects Spain's evolving demographic landscape. Of the nearly 9.4 million foreign-born residents in Spain, approximately 2.6 million have acquired Spanish nationality in recent years. Yet, challenges remain—over 218,000 citizenship applications are currently awaiting processing, underscoring sustained demand for Spanish nationality.

As Spain continues to welcome immigrants and strengthen its multicultural fabric, the Moroccan community stands as a key contributor to the country’s social, cultural, and economic development.