Spain reports deportation hurdles due to Morocco and Algeria

The Spanish State Attorney General's Office has reported that the execution of judicial deportations is being significantly hindered by the restrictive policies and limited consular cooperation of Morocco and Algeria. In its 2025 annual report, the Prosecutor's Office identified the lack of documentation and the refusal of these North African nations to facilitate repatriations as primary obstacles.

Specifically, Morocco reportedly only accepts the return of citizens if they present an original, valid passport, a requirement that many convicted individuals deliberately circumvent by hiding their documents. Meanwhile, Algeria is described as practically not documenting deportations, making the process “materially unfeasible” in certain provinces.

Beyond diplomatic hurdles, the report cites structural issues within the Spanish legal system, including the collapse of judicial bodies, delays in communicating sentences to government authorities, and the inability to locate investigated or convicted individuals. The report also noted a 19.2% increase in requests to substitute prison sentences of over one year with deportation for individuals with no ties to Spain. Additionally, there is an emerging trend of voluntary deportation requests from convicted individuals, particularly in Madrid, Navarra, and Catalonia, which the Prosecutor General's Office is currently reviewing for legal viability.