The Romanian Migrants in Spain. An Exceptional Migratory Flow

The Romanian population is the most important foreign population in Spain. Romanian migrants are characterized by their large number (about 800.000 residents and 268.000 contract workers) and their rapid growth. The economic and labour motivation for migration determines their geographical distribution, with high numbers of Romanian migrants in cities and in areas of agricultural, industrial and tourist industries. However, a high proportion of Romanian migrants also live in small towns and rural areas. Most of them were already illegal migrants when Romania entered the EU and they became EU citizens. From January 1st 2009, these once illegal migrants now have full freedom of employment in Spain. They adapt to circumstances of each period of time, in order to enter or to remain in the Spanish labour market. Most work in construction and agriculture as well as domestic services, trade, tourism and industries. The current economic crisis and the resulting unemployment have raised the issue of return migration to Romania.