Violent crime is on the rise in Spain

Spain in 2025 faces a dual challenge: managing the flows of illegal immigration that especially pressure the Mediterranean coasts, and ensuring public safety in the face of a persistent increase in property crimes, particularly theft.

Official statistics show progress in some areas, but they also highlight the need for more comprehensive policies.

**Illegal immigration: trends and management**

According to Eurostat, Spain issued 14,545 return orders to immigrants in an irregular situation in the second quarter of 2025, one of the highest figures in the European Union. This reflects the administrative effort in immigration control.

For its part, Frontex reports that during the first two months of 2025, irregular crossings in the EU fell by 25% compared to the previous year, although the Mediterranean routes continue to experience pressure peaks, especially in the Canary Islands and the Andalusian coast.

The National Statistics Institute (INE) indicates that Spain’s population reached 49.1 million in April 2025, with foreign nationalities on the rise such as Colombians, Moroccans, and Venezuelans. These figures confirm that immigration is a structural factor in Spanish demographics.

**Thefts and robberies: the major urban concern**

The Ministry of the Interior published in its Crime Report for the second quarter of 2025 that thefts totaled 310,289 cases so far this year, consolidating them as the most common crime.

Although some crimes, such as home burglaries, show year-on-year decreases (-11% in one quarter), robberies with violence and intimidation continue to generate alarm in large cities and tourist areas.

Madrid and Barcelona account for a significant share of incidents, largely due to their population density and the flow of tourists, who are frequent victims of theft.

**Is there a link between immigration and crime?**

A recurring debate is whether the increase in illegal immigration directly drives the growth of property crimes. However, official statistics do not allow for an automatic conclusion.

The INE and the Ministry of the Interior publish data by nationality of those convicted, but factors such as youth unemployment, the activity of organized gangs, mass tourism, and urban dynamics significantly influence crime rates.

In other words, blaming illegal immigration alone would be oversimplifying a much more complex phenomenon.

**Necessary solutions: beyond repression**

To address this dual problem, several experts point out that Spain needs a comprehensive approach that combines:

1. **Targeted police reinforcement:** increasing presence in areas with high incidence of theft and robbery, especially in tourist environments and urban centers.
2. **More agile international cooperation:** consolidating bilateral agreements for the swift and effective return of illegal immigrants.
3. **Integration and employment programs:** providing legal migrants with work and educational alternatives, reducing the risk of some ending up in informal economies or criminal networks.
4. **Faster justice:** speeding up judicial processes for repeat offenses such as theft, which often overwhelm the criminal justice system.
5. **Community prevention:** encouraging citizen participation in neighborhood watch programs and awareness campaigns to reduce opportunities for crime.

Spain needs to strike a balance between security and human rights. It cannot be denied that illegal immigration generates tensions and logistical challenges, nor that property crimes seriously undermine social trust.

However, reducing both problems solely to police repression and deportations will not be enough. The country must commit to policies that combine effective border control with real avenues for integration.

At the same time, it is essential to strengthen the rule of law, combat recidivism, and protect citizens against insecurity.

In short, Spain in 2025 faces a complex but not insurmountable challenge: with data in hand, the solution lies in combining firmness, international cooperation, and a commitment to social integration that reduces the vulnerability of both migrants and crime victims.