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Voluntary return from Spain: the programme and where to go

Voluntary return from Spain: the programme and where to go
Avión de pasajeros despegando del aeropuerto de Bilbao. Foto: Spotter LEVT / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 (recortada).

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In short: This card is an orientation guide: Spain has a voluntary return programme for foreign nationals who decide to return to their country of origin. It is funded by the State and the EU AMIF fund, and it is run by collaborating entities (you do not manage it directly with the State). The key is knowing where to go.

What does it include? According to the official Ministry of Inclusion page, there are two lines:

  • 🤝 Assisted voluntary return and reintegration: for people in a situation of special vulnerability.
  • 💼 Productive voluntary return: for those who want to start a business project in their country.

It usually covers the return ticket and reintegration support. The specific amounts and conditions do not appear on the official page: they depend on each annual call and on the entity. Ask the entity for exact figures.

⚠️ To keep in mind: in this type of programme there is usually a commitment not to return to Spain for a period (3 years is often mentioned), although the official page does not state it expressly. Confirm it with the entity before signing.

Where to go? Not directly to the State, but through the collaborating entities listed in the Ministry's "Directory of collaborating entities" (among them, e.g., IOM) or from the official page of the Ministry of Inclusion.

Official sources: Voluntary return — Ministry of Inclusion · Directory of collaborating entities.

Informational only; check the official source and a professional for your specific case.

Frequently asked questions

I want to go back to my country. How do I start voluntary return from Spain and where do I go?

There is a voluntary return programme (retorno voluntario). It is funded by the State together with the EU AMIF fund (FAMI) and run by collaborating entities listed in the official «Directorio de entidades colaboradoras» (among them, for example, IOM/OIM). You do not apply directly to the State: you go through one of these entities or the official Ministry of Inclusion page: https://www.inclusion.gob.es/web/migraciones/retorno-voluntario . The list of entities to contact is in the directory: https://www.inclusion.gob.es/web/migraciones/entidades-colaboradoras

What exactly does the programme offer?

According to the Ministry's official page, the programme has two lines: assisted voluntary return with reintegration, for people in a situation of special vulnerability, and «productive» return, for those who want to start their own business back home. It can usually include the ticket home and support with resettlement/reintegration. The official page does not give specific amounts or conditions: they depend on each annual call and on the implementing entity. Ask the entity directly for exact figures.

Is there a condition not to come back to Spain afterwards?

In common practice, these programmes usually involve a commitment not to return to Spain for a certain time (3 years is often mentioned), but the Ministry's official page does not state it expressly. Confirm the exact condition with the entity handling your return before signing: it affects your future decisions.

Official source: inclusion.gob.es

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