Spain has established itself as the preferred destination for those leaving Italy.
In 2023, more than 48 Italians registered as residents in the country, according to the Spanish National Institute of Statistics. The number exceeds official Italian figures by more than 150% and reflects a growing trend among young people seeking better professional prospects and a better quality of life outside Italy.
Just a decade ago, the flow was modest: in 2015, the Italian statistics institute Istat recorded just over 4 Italians migrating to Spain. In less than ten years, the number has grown substantially. Spain has gone from being a country with low attractiveness to being the main destination for Italians, surpassing Germany and Switzerland.
Today, the Italian community in Spanish territory reaches 325 thousand people. Part of this growth includes citizens of Italian origin, such as Argentines with dual citizenship. – for the ease of the language. Still, the trend is clear: Spain has become the priority choice for those looking for a fresh start.
More than numbers
The changing profile of emigrants is striking. They are no longer just job seekers. Many come from regions with low unemployment, such as Veneto. Mobility is no longer forced by a lack of work, but motivated by social and cultural factors.
“The country is growing, has few difficulties in terms of integration and is perceived by many young Italians as being more socially and culturally open,” says the Corriere della Sera.
In a European context of greater mobility, Spain stands out for offering a welcoming and dynamic environment. The bureaucracy is simpler, labor market It offers stability and salaries, although similar to those in Italy, are accompanied by a more balanced cost of living.
Underreporting and distortions
The actual number of Italians leaving the country could be even higher. Many do not register their change of residence and therefore do not appear in ISTAT statistics. This underreporting is confirmed by data on arrivals in destination countries. In 2023, Germany recorded 44 arrivals from Italy, while ISTAT recognized less than half. In Switzerland, the difference was over 50%.
Emigration, therefore, continues to grow even with positive indicators within Italy: a fall in unemployment, an increase in the number of employed people and a reduction in the number of inactive people.
Leaving today seems less a question of necessity and more a search for appreciation, recognition and a future.
