Spain: Information for stateless people and those at risk of statelessness fleeing Ukraine
2. ROUTES TO INTERNATIONAL PROTECTION
Spain offers three forms of protection: international protection (refugee status and subsidiary protection),
exceptional protection for humanitarian reasons (humanitarian protection), and temporary protection in
accordance with EU law. Stateless persons may apply for all forms of protection, subject to eligibility criteria.
Temporary protection is the fastest route to protection as it is granted within 24 hours, although protection is
granted for a shorter period of time compared to other forms of protection.
Stateless or undocumented people are advised to seek advice on the most appropriate route to protection for
them (see below contact details of organisations providing specialist advice).
These routes to protection are summarised in the table below.
Refugee status &
subsidiary protection
Humanitarian protection
Temporary protection
Refugee Status: Protection
under the 1951 Convention
Relating to the Status of
Refugees
Protection provided to
individuals whose relocation to their country of
origin involves a danger for
their safety or the safety of
their family members, or
other humanitarian reasons
Temporary protection for
eligible persons fleeing the
war in Ukraine
Can stateless
Yes
and/or
undocumented
persons apply?
Unclear
Yes, if they meet eligibility
criteria (i.e., beneficiaries
of international protection
or equivalent national
protection in Ukraine
(including people
recognised as stateless in
Ukraine), and their family
members, permanent or
temporary ‘legal residence’
in Ukraine and cannot
return to country of origin
Where to
apply?
Immigration Office (Oficina
de Extranjería)
At the Reception,
Assistance and Referral
Centres (CREADE) of the
Ministry of Inclusion, Social
Security and Migration; and
at designated police
stations
What is it?
Subsidiary Protection: For
persons who do not qualify
as a refugee but who face a
real risk of suffering serious
harm in their country of
origin
Application addressed to
the Asylum and Refugee
Office (Oficina de Asilo y
Refugio, OAR) and filed
with the municipal offices
for foreigners, police
stations (including those at
the border), OAR, reception
centres for foreigners,
internment centres or
prisons