The Government announces new regulations for Spanish citizens abroad

Eduardo González The Government is preparing new regulations to develop and update the current Statute of Spanish Citizenship Abroad, in force for almost 20 years, as announced this Friday in New York by the Minister of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration, Elma Saiz. The objective of the new regulations is to meet the current needs of residents abroad, a population that, over time, has changed its profile and needs, as explained by the minister during a meeting with the Spanish community in New York. To this end, she continued, the prior consultation process will open on February 10, which will begin the regulatory process of the regulations. “The objective is to gather the opinion of citizens, organizations and associations, who have a lot to say,” said Saiz. “I would like to point out that, with this regulation, we are ensuring compliance with Article 42 of the Spanish Constitution, that is, your rights as residents abroad,” she added. The new regulation, which is expected to come into force in 2025, will guarantee special protection for vulnerable people who have to be repatriated to Spain in emergency situations, such as war conflicts, emergency situations, minors in vulnerable situations or women victims of gender violence. In addition, according to the Ministry, it will promote the attraction of scientific, technical and research talent through specific programs and support for networks of scientists to allow the simplification of accreditation and certification processes for research staff. The regulation will also promote collaboration with the General Council of Spanish Citizenship Abroad and the Councils of Spanish Residents Abroad and will promote digital administration. In addition, the regulation will include the announced State Plan for the Voluntary Return of Spanish citizens residing abroad, which establishes the return policies for those Spaniards who wish to return to Spain. In this regard, the Plan contemplates the creation of a Spanish Return Office to provide advice and help to people who want to return to Spain and to guarantee integration facilities once they return to our country. Furthermore, the minister announced the launch of a Spanish Emigration Memory Centre with the aim of highlighting the heritage of people who had to emigrate outside Spain during the different stages of its history. “A country without memory means a fragile democracy, and even more so in 2025, which is an important year, when it marks 50 years since the dictator's death,” said Saiz. “A country like Spain, with an absolutely emigrant memory, it is important that it does not forget,” she added. Spanish emigration today Since the entry into force of the Statute of Spanish citizenship abroad in 2006, very significant changes have occurred in terms of the volume and profiles of Spanish citizens residing abroad. An important factor has been the economic crisis of 2008, which occurred after the approval of the Statute and which resulted in a significant number of people having to leave the country. In fact, the data on the Spanish Population Residing Abroad, compiled by the INE, indicate that in 2009 there were 1,471,691 people of Spanish nationality residing abroad. In 2024, there will be 2,908,649 people of Spanish nationality residing abroad.

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