Obtaining refugee status in Spain

The possibility of obtaining refugee status does not end with temporary protection.

Persons who meet the following criteria may be granted refugee status:

- Have legitimate concerns about persecution in their home country because of their race, religion, nationality, political beliefs, membership in a specific social group, gender, or sexual orientation;

- Cannot return to their home country because there are real threats to their life and integrity, such as the death penalty, torture or cruel treatment, or serious risks to life and health as a result of indiscriminate violence during internal or international conflicts;

- There is the possibility of obtaining a residence permit for humanitarian reasons, such as when a person has a serious illness that necessitates specialized medical care that is not available in their country of origin, or when returning to the applicant's country of origin or permanent residence poses a threat to the applicant's or their family's safety.

If Ukrainian citizens want to apply for refugee status in Spain, they must contact refugee reception centers. According to the Spanish Migration Service, such centers are located at border entry points into Spanish territory, ports, airports, and detention centers (CIE).

The following rights are granted to refugees in Spain:

- Obtaining documentation as a refugee (foreign identification card or "TIE"); • Obtaining a travel permit (in the absence of a passport); • Obtaining an indefinite residence and work permit (for self-employed and others), the card of which must be renewed every 5 years;

- Access to a free lawyer and translator on the same terms as Spanish citizens; • Medical assistance; • Access to free public education (under the same conditions as Spanish citizens); • Housing and social assistance for a set period of time whenever material resources are insufficient to ensure that your basic needs are met with dignity;

- After 5 years of legal residence in Spain, you can apply for Spanish citizenship (if you cannot benefit from a more favorable regime, such as through marriage, citizenship, etc.).

Important!

Applicants for refugee status in Spain are not permitted to work for the first six months, and the state will only provide necessities (water, food, medicine, and housing). However, this ensures your legal stay in the country and eligibility for social assistance.