Date of publication:
09/25/2026
Spain
Do domestic laws and policies prohibit the penalization of asylum-seekers and refugees for irregular entry or presence?
Assessment by population
Analysis
There is no specific provision in the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum - which is directly applicable in Spain as of 12 June 2026- that mirrors article 31 of the 1951 Geneva Convention on the Status of Refugees. However the Spanish law 12/2009 on the right to asylum and subsidiary protection does prohibit any penalization of individuals who meet the conditions to be recognized as beneficiaries of international protection on the grounds of their irregular entry into Spain in line with article 31 of the 1951 Geneva Convention on the Status of Refugees (Law 12/2009, Article 25(1)(e)). Given that the EU Pact must be consistent with the 1951 Geneva Convention in accordance with article 78 of the TFEU, this provision of the Spanish law remains valid and compatible with the EU Pact.
The irregular entry in Spain is not a crime nor an administrative offence under Spanish law, but only a ground for devolution (Organic Law 4/2000, Article 58(3); Royal Decree 1155/2024 approving the Regulation of the Organic Law 4/2000, Article 23(b)). Conversely, the irregular stay in the country is considered as a serious administrative offence, punished with a financial penalty or expulsion from Spain (Organic Law 4/2000, Article 53(1)(a); 55(1)(b) and 57(1)).
Related provisions of domestic law or policy
Organic Law 4/2000 of 11 January 2000 on rights and liberties of aliens in Spain and their social integration Official Gazette No 10, 12 January 2000 Amended by: Organic Law 4/2015 of 30 March 2015 on the protection of citizen security Official Gazett
- Year: 2000
- Type: Domestic law
- Rights Category: Asylum, Education, Health, Nationality, Integration & Public Affairs, Social protection
- Link to external source: https://www.refworld.org/legal/legislation/natlegbod/2003/es/115110
Legal provision
Ley Orgánica 4/2000, de 11 de enero, sobre derechos y libertades de los extranjeros en España y su integración social - Generic
Ley Orgánica 4/2000, de 11 de enero, sobre derechos y libertades de los extranjeros en España y su integración social - Generic
Law 12/2009 of October 30 regulating the Right to Asylum and Subsidiary Protection
- Year: 2009
- Type: Domestic law
- Rights Category: Asylum
- Link to external source: https://www.refworld.org/legal/legislation/natlegbod/2009/es/70353
Legal provision
Law 12/2009 of 30 October 2009, regulating the law of asylum and subsidiary protection Official Gazette No 263, 31 October 2009 Amended by: Law 2/2014 of 25 March 2014 Official Gazette No 74, 26 March 2014 - Generic
Law 12/2009 of 30 October 2009, regulating the law of asylum and subsidiary protection Official Gazette No 263, 31 October 2009 Amended by: Law 2/2014 of 25 March 2014 Official Gazette No 74, 26 March 2014 - Generic
Royal Decree 1155/2024 approving the Regulation of the Organic Law 4/2000
- Year: 2024
- Type: Domestic law
- Rights Category: Asylum
- Link to external source: https://www.boe.es/eli/es/rd/2024/11/19/1155/con
Legal provision
Royal Decree 1155/2024 approving the Regulation of the Organic Law 4/2000 - Generic
Royal Decree 1155/2024 approving the Regulation of the Organic Law 4/2000 - Generic
Constitution of Spain with Amendments to 2011
- Year: 1978
- Type: Domestic law
- Rights Category: Asylum, Education, Freedom of movement, Health, Housing, land & property, Liberty & security of person, Nationality, Integration & Public Affairs, Social protection, Work & Workplace rights, Family life, Documentation
- Link to external source: https://www.senado.es/web/conocersenado/normas/constitucion/detalleconstitucioncompleta/index.html?lang=en
Legal provision
Constitución Española - Generic
Constitución Española - Generic