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.
Secretary of State for Migrations– Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migrations
1.2. Contact organisation unit
Permanent Observatory for Immigration (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 September 2025
3.1. Data description
Data collection on the residence permits (RESPER) statistics contains statistical information based on the principles stated in the Union legislation on migration Regulation (EC) No 862/2007 as amended by the Regulation (EU) 2020/851 and the Commission Regulation (EU) No 216/2010 implementing the categories of reasons for residence permits.
The main RESPER data collection based on Article 6 of the Migration Statistics Regulation
First residence permits,
Residence permits issued on the occasion of changing the immigration status or reason to stay,
Residence permits valid at the end of the year,
Long-term residence permits valid at the end of the year,
Long-term permits issued during the year.
Statistics collected on voluntary basis
Residence permits issued for family reunification with beneficiaries of protection status.
3.2. Classification system
See table 3.2. in annex ‘Quality report tables RESPER’.
3.3. Coverage - sector
Migration and asylum – Residence permits statistics
3.4. Statistical concepts and definitions
See table 3.4. in annex ‘Quality report tables RESPER’.
3.5. Statistical unit
Persons or authorizations.
3.6. Statistical population
See table 3.6. in annex ‘Quality report tables RESPER’.
3.7. Reference area
Spain
3.8. Coverage - Time
See table 3.8. in annex ‘Quality report tables RESPER’.
3.9. Base period
Not applicable.
Number of persons or number of authorisations
December 31st or June 30th of 2024 or issued along 2024.
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 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 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.
The disemination of national results is carried out on the OPI website:
annually for the authorizations issued along the year.
and semiannually for those valid on the two reference dates (December 31st or June 30th of each year).
Additionally, data collection on the residence permits (RESPER) is diseminated annually on the Eurostat website.
10.1. Dissemination format - News release
The data published in the OPI on residence permits contain (part of the) data from the residence permits data collection (RESPER). The data related to permits valid on a specific date (December 31st or June 30th) are published twice a year, with the first reference year being 2013. The data on permits granted during a year are provided once a year, with the first reference year being 2016.
10.2. Dissemination format - Publications
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.
10.3. Dissemination format - online database
The complete online database of OPI can be found here: Inclusion gob ES.
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 acordance with Eurostat guidelines. See Annex 1.
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 assesments 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 assesments 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 RESPER’.
12.3.1. Data completeness - rate
Not applicable.
13.1. Accuracy - overall
This operation is prepared on the basis of the information provided by an administrative registry. In this sense, its accuracy may be affected by the time lags involved in the management of administrative procedures.
There are missing data in the RP6 file because it is not possible to distinguish between the categories "Refugee Status" and "Subsidiary protection". Both categories are provided jointly.
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 variable, which are corrected by imputation processes.
13.3.1. Coverage error
There are no coverage erors.
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 measurement 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: 180 days after the end of the reference period.
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 RESPER’.
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 and the Commission Regulation (EU) No 216/2010 implementing the categories of reasons for residence permits.
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 RESPER’.
15.2.1. Length of comparable time series
Not applicable.
15.3. Coherence - cross domain
The residence permits data collection (RESPER) is fully consistent with all the statistical operations carried out at the Permanent Observatory on Inmigration (OPI).
15.3.1. Coherence - sub annual and annual statistics
The Permanent Observatory on Inmigration (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 RESPER.
17.2.1. Data revision - average size
Not applicable.
18.1. Source data
See table 18.1. in annex ‘Quality report tables RESPER.
18.2. Frequency of data collection
Continous.
18.3. Data collection
The data on residence permits 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.
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.
18.6.1. Seasonal adjustment
No seasonal adjustments are made to the results obtained.
Data collection on the residence permits (RESPER) statistics contains statistical information based on the principles stated in the Union legislation on migration Regulation (EC) No 862/2007 as amended by the Regulation (EU) 2020/851 and the Commission Regulation (EU) No 216/2010 implementing the categories of reasons for residence permits.
The main RESPER data collection based on Article 6 of the Migration Statistics Regulation
First residence permits,
Residence permits issued on the occasion of changing the immigration status or reason to stay,
Residence permits valid at the end of the year,
Long-term residence permits valid at the end of the year,
Long-term permits issued during the year.
Statistics collected on voluntary basis
Residence permits issued for family reunification with beneficiaries of protection status.
4 September 2025
See table 3.4. in annex ‘Quality report tables RESPER’.
Persons or authorizations.
See table 3.6. in annex ‘Quality report tables RESPER’.
Spain
December 31st or June 30th of 2024 or issued along 2024.
This operation is prepared on the basis of the information provided by an administrative registry. In this sense, its accuracy may be affected by the time lags involved in the management of administrative procedures.
There are missing data in the RP6 file because it is not possible to distinguish between the categories "Refugee Status" and "Subsidiary protection". Both categories are provided jointly.
Number of persons or number of authorisations
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 RESPER.
The disemination of national results is carried out on the OPI website:
annually for the authorizations issued along the year.
and semiannually for those valid on the two reference dates (December 31st or June 30th of each year).
Additionally, data collection on the residence permits (RESPER) is diseminated annually on the Eurostat website.
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: 180 days after the end of the reference period.
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 and the Commission Regulation (EU) No 216/2010 implementing the categories of reasons for residence permits.
See table 15.2. in annex ‘Quality report tables RESPER’.
