Basque Country crime data shows high percentage of foreign-born suspects

Official statistics from the Basque regional police, the Ertzaintza, reveal that foreign-born individuals accounted for 58.7 percent of all arrests in the first half of 2026, despite representing 10.2 percent of the population.

The disparity is particularly pronounced in specific crime categories. Foreign-born suspects made up 74 percent of those detained for crimes against sexual freedom, 73.3 percent of homicide arrests, and 61.3 percent of arrests for causing injury. Other high percentages were recorded in drunk-driving (94.7 percent), theft (79.6 percent), and robberies involving violence or intimidation (77.6 percent).

The Basque Department of Security began systematically publishing birthplace data at the end of 2025 following pressure from the Popular Party (PP) and Vox in the Basque parliament. Previously, the Ertzaintza omitted the birthplace of detainees. Security councillor Bingen Zupiria stated the department was forced to change its criteria due to this pressure. Arrest data is now categorized by continent and region, including North Africa, Latin America, and Europe.