New asylum procedures in Spain under the EU Pact: timelines, rights and how applications are processed from 12 June 2026

In short: from 12 June 2026 Spain applies the new international protection procedures under EU Regulations 2024/1348 and 2024/1351 (EU Pact on Migration and Asylum): a border procedure with strict timelines, an accelerated procedure and an ordinary procedure. Free legal aid is mandatory from the start.

In person or by representative? Personal appearance is mandatory: applying for international protection requires the applicant's physical presence. The Instruction does not provide for applications by representative or online.

Scope: the Instruction of 11 June 2026 from the Under-Secretary of the Interior sets guidelines for competent bodies to process applications under the new Regulations, applicable from 12 June 2026.

Three procedures regulated:

1. Border asylum procedure Applies when the applicant has no entry authorisation, does not meet the border requirements of EU Regulation 2016/399, and the application is submitted at border crossing points, following interception at an unauthorised crossing, disembarkation after rescue, or relocation.

Timelines (Instruction, Section III):

• 4 calendar days to complete the initial examination and issue an inadmissibility or rejection decision (Section III.4).
• Reconsideration request: within the first 2 calendar days of the appeal period; the Administration notifies within 2 calendar days (Section III.6).
• Maximum total time, including judicial review: 12 weeks (Section III.7).
• The Administration aims to resolve within the first 6 weeks from registration.

Decision-making competence (Section III.5):

• Within the 4-day period: decided by the Director-General of International Protection.
• After the initial period: decided by the Under-Secretary of the Interior, on a proposal from the interministerial commission.

2. Accelerated examination procedure For applications processed urgently or on inadmissibility grounds under Regulation 2024/1348. The Instruction refers to the timelines in EU Regulation 2024/1348 for specific details.

3. Ordinary procedure For applications outside the border context; processed under Articles 24 and 25 of Law 12/2009, interpreted in line with the new EU rules.

Procedural rights (all procedures):

• Legal assistance: mandatory for all applicants, with guaranteed free legal aid under Spanish legislation (Section III.2).
• UNHCR access: with the applicant's prior consent; UNHCR has the right to be heard before inadmissibility or rejection decisions.
• Judicial review under Article 67.7 of EU Regulation 2024/1348.

Applications submitted before 12 June 2026: the Instruction states it applies from 12 June 2026; it does not specify a transitional arrangement for earlier applications.

Steps:

1. Appear in person at a border post, authorised police station or immigration office and express your intention to seek international protection.
2. Formalise the application through an interview; the competent body determines which procedure applies (border / accelerated / ordinary).
3. In the border procedure: the Administration has 4 calendar days for the initial examination. If it does not resolve within this period, the case passes to the Under-Secretary of the Interior.
4. Within the first 2 days of the appeal period: you may submit a reconsideration request.
5. If the decision is unfavourable: judicial review under EU Regulation 2024/1348, Art. 67.7. Maximum total time (including review) is 12 weeks in the border procedure.

Official source: Instruction of 11 June 2026, BOE-A-2026-12855. See also: asilo-como-solicitar (Law 12/2009, in force).

Informational only; these procedures apply from 12 June 2026 — check the official source, the Asylum and Refuge Office (interior.gob.es domain; verify current availability) and a professional for your specific case.