Spain has announced that it will take in an initial amount of 12,000 Ukrainian refugees, although this figure is “flexible” and is likely to rise considerably
These arrivals will be in addition to at least two thousand Ukrainians who have already fled to Spain and who are staying with family members or friends.
The refugees will be received at three reception centres, in Madrid, Barcelona and Alicante, and then allocated to all 17 of Spain’s autonomous communities, including the Canary islands.
A law will grant all Ukrainian refugees the automatic right to reside and work in Spain, access to health services and free education for under-18s. Priority will be given to children, those with special needs and unaccompanied minors.
Over 110,000 Ukrainians already live in Spain, the third largest ex-pat Ukrainian population in Europe, and the Spanish government has also assured those without papers that their situation will be regularised, eliminating any fears of deportation.
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