Spain

UNHCR has been present in Spain since the late 1960s, playing a key role in supporting the country's asylum system. Spain became a signatory to the 1951 Geneva Convention and its 1967 Protocol in 1978, reinforcing its commitment to international refugee protection.

Further advancing its legal framework, Spain acceded to the UN Statelessness Conventions in 1997 and 2018 and established a statelessness determination procedure in 2001.

UNHCR’s Central Office is located in Madrid, with field operations in strategic entry points such as Algeciras (covering Ceuta) and Tenerife in the Canary Islands. UNHCR Spain also covers activities in Andorra, without a permanent presence.

In Spain, UNHCR advocates for the rights and protection of refugees, asylum seekers, and stateless persons, not only at their arrival but also throughout the asylum procedure, paying special attention to those with specific needs. It also works to promote durable solutions, including integration and legal pathways, ensuring that those in need of international protection can rebuild their lives with dignity and security.