Elma Saiz expone los primeros trabajos del Reglamento de ciudadanía en el exterior ante la colectividad española en Francia, la segunda más grande en el mundo

The Minister of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration, Elma Saiz, has presented to a group of Spanish residents in France the first works of the Regulation of Spanish citizenship abroad, which will focus on the return of people living outside our country. France, with 310,072 registered Spaniards, is the second largest community in the world after Argentina (482,176), according to the Register of Spanish Residents Abroad (PERE) of the INE.

Saiz has transmitted the “important milestone” of this new regulation, which will improve the protection of Spaniards abroad and those who decide to return to Spain. The regulation will facilitate and speed up procedures, reduce bureaucracy, strengthen the social and economic support of residents abroad and promote greater participation of emigrant society, among other aspects.

“Spain was an emigrant country, and it is important not to forget. Many Spaniards came here to France fleeing our country because of its proximity and proximity. This link makes the Spanish community of France the second largest in the world, after Argentina. Therefore, it is important that this new Regulation that we are going to promote is yours, we want to listen to your ideas and contributions”, said Saiz at a meeting held in Paris.

In this regard, since last Monday, February 10, the procedure for prior consultation of the Regulation has been open. The objective is to seek the opinion of the emigrant population, associations and organizations before starting the normative process.

Contributions can be made until February 25, through the form located at: https://expinterweb.inclusion.gob.es/iparticipa/form/2025002

“An innovative regulation”

Minister Saiz explained that this measure complies with Article 42 of the Spanish Constitution, which guarantees the rights of residents abroad. “Law 40/2006 laid the foundations, but this innovative regulation will incorporate measures developed and adapted to the current reality, while expanding the instruments of protection and assistance to emigrant citizens.”

The regulation will include improvements in obtaining the returned emigrant certificate, which can be requested electronically and must be issued within a maximum period of three months. In addition, access to unemployment benefit will be improved for returning residents who have worked for at least 12 months in the past six years.

It will also strengthen health care both abroad – through the strengthening of agreements between Spain and other countries – and in our country, facilitating and simplifying access to Spanish public health.

The Spanish Return Office will be created to facilitate access to information and procedures for those who wish to return to Spain, while promoting the digitization of procedures.

Support for centres and associations of Spaniards abroad will be increased, while the participation of young people in these forums will be encouraged, with the aim of involving them within emigrant organisations.

Vulnerable emigrant population

In addition, the new regulation will provide greater protection for particularly vulnerable groups, such as people over 65 years of age or women victims of gender violence. In this second case, victims will be able to receive help in the country of residence or facilities to return to Spain. Minors of victims of violence will also receive protection, even if the mother does not have Spanish nationality.

A Memory Center of Spanish Emigration will be launched, with the aim of valuing the heritage of people who had to emigrate outside Spain during the different stages of its history.

“Migration is not a phenomenon, it is a reality that we Spaniards have starred in during our history. Therefore, as Minister of Migration, it is an honor to present to you the main lines of this new Regulation with which we are going to update the policy of protection of citizens abroad and facilitate the return to Spain of those people who wish to return,” said Saiz.