Reference metadata describe statistical concepts and methodologies used for the collection and generation of data. They provide information on data quality and, since they are strongly content-oriented, assist users in interpreting the data. Reference metadata, unlike structural metadata, can be decoupled from the data.
[ES182] Permanent Observatory on Immigration (Spain)
1.2. Contact organisation unit
Secretary of State for Migrations
1.3. Contact name
Confidential because of GDPR
1.4. Contact person function
Confidential because of GDPR
1.5. Contact mail address
Calle José Abascal 39, 28073 Madrid, España
1.6. Contact email address
Confidential because of GDPR
1.7. Contact phone number
Confidential because of GDPR
1.8. Contact fax number
Confidential because of GDPR
2.1. Metadata last certified
4 September 2025
2.2. Metadata last posted
4 September 2025
2.3. Metadata last update
4 August 2026
3.1. Data description
Data collection on EU Blue Cards statistics based on the EU Directive on the conditions of entry and residence of third-country nationals for the purpose of highly qualified employment. EU Blue Cards statistics were produced under Directive 2009/50/EC. As of 19 November 2023, this Directive is replaced by Directive (EU) 2021/1883. The new legal requirements regarding supplementary statistics apply from the reference period 2024.
The following datasets were collected under the initial framework by 2023:
EU Blue Cards by type of decision, occupation and citizenship (migr_resbc1);
Admitted family members of EU Blue Cards holders by type of decision and citizenship (migr_resbc2);
EU Blue Cards holders and family members by Member State of previous residence (migr_resbc3).
Starting from the reference period 2024, EU Blue Cards statistics cover the following datasets:
Persons subject to EU Blue Card decisions by length of validity, age, sex, citizenship and occupation (migr_resbc11);
Persons subject to EU Blue Card decisions by length of validity, age, sex, citizenship and size of employer (migr_resbc12);
Persons subject to EU Blue Card decisions by length of validity duration, age, sex, citizenship and economic sector of employer (migr_resbc13);
Persons subject to decisions on residence permits for family reunification with EU Blue Card holders, by duration, age, sex and citizenship (migr_resbc2);
EU Blue Card holders admitted for long-term mobility by length of validity, age, sex, citizenship and previous country of residence (migr_resbc31);
EU Blue Card holders’ family members admitted for long-term mobility by age, sex, citizenship, and previous country of residence (migr_resbc34);
Persons subject to a rejected application for EU Blue Cards by reason, age, sex, citizenship and occupation (migr_resbc41);
Persons subject to a rejected application for EU Blue Cards by reason, age, sex, citizenship and size of employer (migr_resbc42);
Persons subject to a rejected application for EU Blue Cards by reason, age, sex, citizenship and economic sector of employer (migr_resbc43);
EU Blue Cards granted to beneficiaries of international protection by length of validity, age, sex and citizenship of the holder (migr_resbc5);
EU Blue Cards granted to beneficiary of free movement rights by length of validity, age, sex and citizenship of the holder (migr_resbc6);
Long-term permits granted to former EU Blue Card holders by age, sex, and citizenship (migr_resbc7).
Directive 2009/50/EC was transposed at national level on September 2013.
Directive (EU) 2021/1883 was transposed at national level on 10 May 2024.
3.2. Classification system
See table 3.2. in annex ‘Quality report tables EU Blue Cards’.
3.3. Coverage - sector
Migration and asylum – Residence permits statistics, EU Blue Cards.
3.4. Statistical concepts and definitions
See table 3.4. in annex ‘Quality report tables EU Blue Cards’.
3.5. Statistical unit
Persons.
3.6. Statistical population
See table 3.6. in annex ‘Quality report tables EU Blue Cards’.
3.7. Reference area
Spain
3.8. Coverage - Time
See table 3.8. in annex ‘Quality report tables EU Blue Cards’.
3.9. Base period
Not applicable.
Number of persons.
Calendar year.
6.1. Institutional Mandate - legal acts and other agreements
The compilation, processing and dissemination of the data of statistical operations are governed by the Law 12/1989, of May 9, 1989, on the "Public Statistical Function" (LFEP), and in the Fourth Additional Provision of the Law 4/1990 of 29 June. The LFEP establishes that the National Statistics Plan is the main organising instrument of the State Administration's statistical activity and it contains the statistics that must be developed in the four year period by the State General Administration's services or any other entity dependent on it. All the statistics included in the National Statistical Plan are statistics for state purposes and are mandatory. The OPI (Permanent Immigration Observatory) prepares statistical operations contained in the National Statistical Plan, therefore it falls under the scope of the LFEP. In addition, RESPER data collection is based on the principles stated in the Union legislation on Migration Statistics Regulation (EC) No 862/20071 as amended by the Regulation (EU) 2020/8512 and the Commission Regulation (EU) No 216/2010 implementing the categories of reasons for residence permits.
6.2. Institutional Mandate - data sharing
The exchanges of information needed to elaborate statistics between the INE (Spanish Statistical Office) and the rest of the State statistical offices (Ministerial Departments, independent bodies and administrative bodies depending on the State General Administration), or between these offices and the Autonomic statistical offices, are regulated in the LFEP (Law of the Public Statistic Function). This law also regulates the mechanisms of statistical coordination, and concludes cooperation agreements between the different offices when necessary.
The exchange of data between the INE and the other statistical services of the State (ministerial departments, autonomous bodies and public entities of the State Administration), as well as between these and the statistical services of the Autonomous Communities for the development of the statistics that have been entrusted to them, are regulated in the LFEP. The LFEP also establishes the statistical coordination mechanisms between administrations, as well as the conclusion of collaboration agreements when deemed appropriate.
7.1. Confidentiality - policy
The Statistical Law No. 12/1989 specifies that the INE cannot publish, or make otherwise available, individual data or statistics that would enable the identification of data for any individual person or entity.
Regulation (EC) No 223/2009 on European statistics stipulates the need to establish common principles and guidelines ensuring the confidentiality of data used for the production of European statistics and the access to those confidential data with due account for technical developments and the requirements of users in a democratic society.
7.2. Confidentiality - data treatment
The necessary measures (logical, physical and administrative) are taken in all the process to guarantee the adequate data protection as established by current legislation.
In the information processing phases, data that provide direct identification are only kept as long as they are strictly necessary to guarantee the quality of the processes.
In the publication of the results tables, the details of the information are analysed to prevent confidential data from being deduced from the statistical units. In cases where microdata files are provided to users, they are anonymised.
8.1. Release calendar
At OPI, all regular statistical outputs are released on OPIs website according to the annually fixed publication schedule.
The general release policy of OPI is to publish all statistics via website. This website is accessible to the general public.
All publications are accompanied by an analysis note and a dashboard that highlight some key aspects of the data.
Yearly.
10.1. Dissemination format - News release
The data published in the OPI on residence permits contains data collection on EU Blue Card Statistic. The data on permits granted during a year are provided once a year, with the first reference year being 2016.
The publication of statistics on residence permits is carried out through a set of tables on the OPI website, as well as an analysis note and a dashboard.
The complete online database of OPI can be found at this website (Inclusion.gob).
The English version of this database is: (Inclusion.gob).
The residence permits data collection (RESPER) is not published by OPI.
10.3.1. Data tables - consultations
Not applicable.
10.4. Dissemination format - microdata access
There is no access to the microdata.
10.5. Dissemination format - other
Apart from sending the tables to Eurostat and dissemination of the statistics in OPIs website, there are generally no other means of dissemination.
10.5.1. Metadata - consultations
Not applicable.
10.6. Documentation on methodology
OPI works in accordance with Eurostat guidelines. See Annex 1 and 2.
10.6.1. Metadata completeness - rate
Not applicable.
10.7. Quality management - documentation
Not applicable.
11.1. Quality assurance
In the process of compiling these statistics, controls have been established at each step in order to guarantee the quality of the statistics. In addition, quality assurance is also ensured through the following aspects:
Its methodology is based on definitions and concepts consistent with current regulations at both the community and national levels.
As it is an exploitation of an administrative registry, there are no sampling errors or burden for the informants.
Data sets deal with constant assessments through internal checks in our unit and also with data provide by other organizations.
11.2. Quality management - assessment
Our data sets deal with constant assessments through internal checks in our unit.
12.1. Relevance - User Needs
Among the main users of these statistics are the Secretariat of State for Migration and other ministerial departments with responsibilities in this area, consular offices, universities, research centers and regional immigration observatories, as well as international organizations or research centers financed by the European Commission.
All available information is published as long as the confidentiality of the data is preserved.
12.2. Relevance - User Satisfaction
No user satisfaction surveys are conducted. But an email account is created to receive all the suggestions and demands from the users.
12.3. Completeness
See table 12.3. in annex ‘Quality report tables EU Blue Cards’.
12.3.1. Data completeness - rate
Not applicable.
13.1. Accuracy - overall
This operation is prepared on the basis of the information provided by administrative sources. In this sense, its accuracy may be affected by the time lags involved in the management of administrative procedures but all the requested information is obtained from said administrative register.
13.2. Sampling error
Not applicable.
13.2.1. Sampling error - indicators
Not applicable.
13.3. Non-sampling error
This statistical operation is based on data obtained from administrative sources, so errors outside the sampling will be those derived from these sources. Mainly the detection of duplicates, which is corrected by debugging processes, and other errors of a registry type such as errors in the filling in of dates or lack of filling in some variables, which are corrected by imputation processes.
13.3.1. Coverage error
There are no coverage errors.
13.3.1.1. Over-coverage - rate
Not applicable.
13.3.1.2. Common units - proportion
Not applicable.
13.3.2. Measurement error
There are no measurements errors.
13.3.3. Non response error
Not applicable.
13.3.3.1. Unit non-response - rate
Not applicable.
13.3.3.2. Item non-response - rate
Not applicable.
13.3.4. Processing error
There are no processing errors.
13.3.5. Model assumption error
There are no model assumption errors.
14.1. Timeliness
Data supply to Eurostat is in accordance with the Regulation and the Technical Guidelines, also concerning the timeframe of sending data to Eurostat.
The tables are produced and send to Eurostat within the mandatory deadlines.
14.1.1. Time lag - first result
Not applicable.
14.1.2. Time lag - final result
Not applicable.
14.2. Punctuality
See table 14.2. in annex ‘Quality report tables EU Blue Cards’.
14.2.1. Punctuality - delivery and publication
Not applicable.
15.1. Comparability - geographical
The results are completely consistent across the territory, at all levels of disaggregation, as they are calculated at the most disaggregated level possible, and the totals are obtained by aggregating results. In addition, they are calculated based on the definitions established in the European Regulation 862/2007 as amended by the Regulation (EU) 2020/851, the Commission Regulation (EU) No 216/2010 implementing the categories of reasons for residence permits and the Directive (EU) 2021/1883 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 October 2021 on the conditions of entry and residence of third-country nationals for the purpose of highly qualified employment, and repealing Council Directive 2009/50/EC.
15.1.1. Asymmetry for mirror flow statistics - coefficient
Not applicable.
15.2. Comparability - over time
See table 15.2. in annex ‘Quality report tables EU Blue Cards’.
15.2.1. Length of comparable time series
Not applicable.
15.3. Coherence - cross domain
The data collection on EU Blue Card is fully consistent with all the statistical operations carried out at the Permanent Observatory on Immigration (OPI).
15.3.1. Coherence - sub annual and annual statistics
The Permanent Observatory on Immigration (OPI) does not make sub-annual estimates.
15.3.2. Coherence - National Accounts
Not applicable.
15.4. Coherence - internal
All the statistics produced by the OPI are consistent since they are all obtained from the same administrative register and the calculation methodology is the same for all of them.
Not available.
17.1. Data revision - policy
The published data is final. No provisional data is obtained.
17.2. Data revision - practice
See table 17.2. in annex ‘Quality report tables EU Blue Cards’.
17.2.1. Data revision - average size
Not applicable.
18.1. Source data
See table 18.1. in annex ‘Quality report tables EU Blue Cards’.
18.2. Frequency of data collection
Continuous.
18.3. Data collection
The data collection on EU Blue Card Statistic is compiled using information contained in the Central Register of Foreigners (RCE) since these statistics began to be produced. The validity of the register is widely accepted due to the large amount of information and its reliability.
Additionally, some information related Blue Card data is completed with information included in the administrative database of the Large Firms Unit, integrated within the General Directorate for Migrations.
18.4. Data validation
The very nature and administrative purpose of the Central Register of Foreigners necessitates the statistical processing of the information that will be used for the preparation of statistics. The data cleaning focuses mainly on eliminating records that do not correspond to the target population, duplicate records, and detecting and correcting possible recording errors. Through the analysis of the dates of granting, commencement of effects, and expiration of the procedures contained in the files, a one-to-one correspondence is established between the foreign person and the valid authorization they hold at the end of each semester. Invalid values are detected, and procedures are established to ensure consistency between the characteristics of the person and those of the authorization they hold.
18.5. Data compilation
The percentage of records where it is necessary to impute the value of some variable, mainly the sex or age of the person, is negligible. However, the Population Register is used to correct these records in case of error. The Population Register is also used to correct, in case of error, the age of persons 100 years or older for whom a valid permit is recorded, and subsequently exclude from the statistics those persons 100 years or older who have not carried out any procedures in the last 5 years.
The Permanent Immigration Observatory validates the files to correct errors that occur during recording in the administrative registers. Additionally, it ensures internal consistency of the data.
18.5.1. Imputation - rate
Not applicable.
18.6. Adjustment
No adjustments are made to the results obtained.
18.6.1. Seasonal adjustment
No seasonal adjustments are made to the results obtained.
Data collection on EU Blue Cards statistics based on the EU Directive on the conditions of entry and residence of third-country nationals for the purpose of highly qualified employment. EU Blue Cards statistics were produced under Directive 2009/50/EC. As of 19 November 2023, this Directive is replaced by Directive (EU) 2021/1883. The new legal requirements regarding supplementary statistics apply from the reference period 2024.
The following datasets were collected under the initial framework by 2023:
EU Blue Cards by type of decision, occupation and citizenship (migr_resbc1);
Admitted family members of EU Blue Cards holders by type of decision and citizenship (migr_resbc2);
EU Blue Cards holders and family members by Member State of previous residence (migr_resbc3).
Starting from the reference period 2024, EU Blue Cards statistics cover the following datasets:
Persons subject to EU Blue Card decisions by length of validity, age, sex, citizenship and occupation (migr_resbc11);
Persons subject to EU Blue Card decisions by length of validity, age, sex, citizenship and size of employer (migr_resbc12);
Persons subject to EU Blue Card decisions by length of validity duration, age, sex, citizenship and economic sector of employer (migr_resbc13);
Persons subject to decisions on residence permits for family reunification with EU Blue Card holders, by duration, age, sex and citizenship (migr_resbc2);
EU Blue Card holders admitted for long-term mobility by length of validity, age, sex, citizenship and previous country of residence (migr_resbc31);
EU Blue Card holders’ family members admitted for long-term mobility by age, sex, citizenship, and previous country of residence (migr_resbc34);
Persons subject to a rejected application for EU Blue Cards by reason, age, sex, citizenship and occupation (migr_resbc41);
Persons subject to a rejected application for EU Blue Cards by reason, age, sex, citizenship and size of employer (migr_resbc42);
Persons subject to a rejected application for EU Blue Cards by reason, age, sex, citizenship and economic sector of employer (migr_resbc43);
EU Blue Cards granted to beneficiaries of international protection by length of validity, age, sex and citizenship of the holder (migr_resbc5);
EU Blue Cards granted to beneficiary of free movement rights by length of validity, age, sex and citizenship of the holder (migr_resbc6);
Long-term permits granted to former EU Blue Card holders by age, sex, and citizenship (migr_resbc7).
Directive 2009/50/EC was transposed at national level on September 2013.
Directive (EU) 2021/1883 was transposed at national level on 10 May 2024.
4 August 2026
See table 3.4. in annex ‘Quality report tables EU Blue Cards’.
Persons.
See table 3.6. in annex ‘Quality report tables EU Blue Cards’.
Spain
Calendar year.
This operation is prepared on the basis of the information provided by administrative sources. In this sense, its accuracy may be affected by the time lags involved in the management of administrative procedures but all the requested information is obtained from said administrative register.
Number of persons.
The percentage of records where it is necessary to impute the value of some variable, mainly the sex or age of the person, is negligible. However, the Population Register is used to correct these records in case of error. The Population Register is also used to correct, in case of error, the age of persons 100 years or older for whom a valid permit is recorded, and subsequently exclude from the statistics those persons 100 years or older who have not carried out any procedures in the last 5 years.
The Permanent Immigration Observatory validates the files to correct errors that occur during recording in the administrative registers. Additionally, it ensures internal consistency of the data.
See table 18.1. in annex ‘Quality report tables EU Blue Cards’.
Yearly.
Data supply to Eurostat is in accordance with the Regulation and the Technical Guidelines, also concerning the timeframe of sending data to Eurostat.
The tables are produced and send to Eurostat within the mandatory deadlines.
The results are completely consistent across the territory, at all levels of disaggregation, as they are calculated at the most disaggregated level possible, and the totals are obtained by aggregating results. In addition, they are calculated based on the definitions established in the European Regulation 862/2007 as amended by the Regulation (EU) 2020/851, the Commission Regulation (EU) No 216/2010 implementing the categories of reasons for residence permits and the Directive (EU) 2021/1883 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 October 2021 on the conditions of entry and residence of third-country nationals for the purpose of highly qualified employment, and repealing Council Directive 2009/50/EC.
See table 15.2. in annex ‘Quality report tables EU Blue Cards’.
