The Romanian community in Spain has decreased by almost a third since 2012

The Romanian community in Spain, the second largest among foreigners, is facing a significant decline, reports the publication El País. According to the National Institute of Statistics (INE), the number of Romanians has decreased by 32% between 2012 and January 1, 2025, from nearly 897,203 to 609,270 people.

This trend of migration is exacerbated by the lack of housing and the effects of the pandemic. Approximately 29,600 Romanians left Spain between the beginning of 2025 and April 1, 2026, representing 8.8% of the total foreign citizens.

Additionally, data shows that 47,044 Romanians returned to Romania in 2024, and 51,316 in the previous year. This situation raises questions about the future of the Romanian community in Spain.