The Moroccan community in Spain continues to grow, solidifying its status as the largest foreign demographic in the country. As of January 1, 2023, the number of Moroccans legally residing in Spain reached 893,953, according to the latest statistics from the Spanish National Statistics Institute (INE). Projections suggest that this figure may exceed 900,000 by 2025, reflecting the increasing presence of this community.
Since 2013, approximately 260,000 Moroccans have obtained Spanish citizenship. However, these individuals are not counted in the official statistics of Moroccans residing in Spain. Unlike many countries, Spain does not automatically grant dual citizenship to Moroccans, complicating their legal status. Meanwhile, Morocco does not recognize the loss of citizenship, creating a legal ambiguity where naturalized Spaniards remain officially Moroccan, despite holding Spanish nationality.
The geographical distribution of the Moroccan community in Spain is significant, with Catalonia housing the largest concentration at 28%, equating to around 250,000 individuals. Following Catalonia is Andalusia, which comprises 18% of the Moroccan population, approximately 160,000 people. The Murcia region accounts for 10% of the community, with around 90,000 Moroccans. Additionally, substantial populations exist in Madrid and Valencia, as well as in the autonomous cities of Ceuta and Melilla, where geographical proximity to Morocco plays a crucial role in bolstering their presence.
The Moroccan community in Spain is notably young, characterized by a high birth rate. In 2019, 22,980 children were born to Moroccan mothers in Spain, representing 25% of all foreign births. The influx of Moroccan immigrants remains robust, with 75,000 new arrivals recorded in 2019, marking the highest rate since 2008. By April 2024, 337,490 Moroccans were registered in the Spanish social security system, reflecting a 73% increase compared to 2015.
However, only 22% of Moroccans in Spain actively contribute to the social security system, highlighting the challenges faced by a significant portion of this population, whether due to informal work, unemployment, or reliance on social assistance. Since 2000, over 260,000 Moroccans have acquired Spanish citizenship, with 229,664 individuals naturalized between 2018 and 2023. In 2023 alone, 54,027 Moroccans received Spanish citizenship, accounting for 22.5% of all naturalizations that year.
In Catalonia, 60,846 Moroccans obtained citizenship in 2023, while 50,049 individuals in Madrid also became citizens. Together, these regions represent 46.2% of all naturalized Moroccans in Spain, underscoring their significance as key centers for naturalization within the Moroccan community.
The issue of dual nationality presents a legal challenge for Moroccans acquiring Spanish citizenship. Spain requires individuals to renounce their original nationality during the naturalization process. However, Morocco does not recognize this renunciation, creating a legal conundrum: a newly naturalized individual is considered Spanish in Madrid but remains Moroccan in Rabat. Among the approximately one million Moroccans living in Spain, 25% to 30% have obtained Spanish citizenship since 2000, indicating that between 600,000 and 650,000 Moroccans still hold only Moroccan nationality.
Many Moroccans seek Spanish citizenship for various reasons, primarily to enjoy full civil rights, including the right to vote and participate actively in political life, thereby enhancing their representation in Spanish society. Spanish citizenship also opens up better job opportunities, particularly in the public sector, allowing them to apply for diverse government positions. Furthermore, it grants them freedom of movement within the European Union, facilitating job opportunities and mobility in other countries, which enhances their professional and social stability.
Spanish official data revealed on March 26, 2025, that the Moroccan community has surpassed 1.1 million people, cementing its position as the largest foreign community in Spain. Since 2018, over 261,000 Moroccans have acquired Spanish citizenship, making them the most naturalized foreign nationality in Spain. Despite the significant number of Moroccans benefiting from naturalization, their legal status remains complex due to the differing nationality laws between the two countries.
Approximately 46.2% of naturalized Moroccans reside in Catalonia and Madrid, while Andalusia and Murcia are also major destinations for the Moroccan community, particularly for seasonal work in construction, agriculture, and service sectors. Data from Spanish social security indicates that only 22% of Moroccans residing in Spain contribute to the labor market, reflecting their integration into the local economy, especially in sectors facing labor shortages.
The increasing rate of naturalization raises questions about the implications for Moroccan-Spanish relations, particularly concerning shared issues such as irregular migration, security cooperation, and seasonal labor. According to Hassan Jafali, an expert on migration issues, "The continued pace of naturalization reflects the growing closeness between the two countries, but it may also spark debate in certain political circles." He emphasized Morocco's particular interest in its diaspora, as remittances from the Moroccan community serve as a vital source of support for the national economy, while this community plays a crucial role in strengthening ties between the two nations.
Moroccans in Spain remain the most prominent foreign community in terms of both numbers and naturalization, further embedding themselves in Spanish society. Nevertheless, these citizens face legal and economic challenges that require balanced solutions that uphold their rights while considering the mutual interests of both Rabat and Madrid.
