legal and social conditions for asylum seekers and refugees in ...

Child care
In principle, asylum seekers may have access to Spanish universities under the same conditions as
Spanish and EU nationals. However, due to the heavy requirements imposed on candidates
regarding qualifications and the relatively short duration of the asylum procedure, in effect very few
asylum seekers enrol in Spanish universities.
Children are offered special activities in the reception centres according to their age. These are
mainly designed to support school lessons, but they may also include cultural trips as well as
recreational activities.
Unaccompanied minors
There have only been a few cases of unaccompanied children arriving in Spain. According to
Section 15(4) of Asylum Regulation, destitute asylum seekers under the age of 18 are placed under
the care of the appropriate Regional Child Protection Services. The Public Prosecutor is notified of
the case and a district attorney is allocated to represent the minor whilst his/her application for
asylum is being processed.
Unaccompanied minors may stay in a special centre for refugee minors in Madrid, or in a centre for
Spanish minors.
Female asylum seekers
There are no special measures regarding female asylum seekers, however women are given
priority in the provision of accommodation in the reception centres.
Health/sickness
All asylum seekers undergo a compulsory medical check-up on arrival. During the procedure, they
are entitled to receive to free medical treatment in the Red Cross hospitals, or, if the appropriate
treatment is not available there, in public regional hospitals. In the latter case, expenses are paid for
by the Red Cross.
No medical staff are attached to the reception centres, although, in some cases, medical volunteers
and persons who have been permitted to undertake community services instead of military service
may liaise with the centres.
Freedom of residence/movement
In principle, asylum seekers are free to travel and live wherever they wish in the country, provided
they keep the police informed of their address and whereabouts.
However, under Section 14 of the Asylum Regulation, the Minister of Interior can restrict asylum
seekers’ freedom of residence/movement for control or security reasons and may impose control
measures upon then as with any other aliens, under the provisions of the Aliens Act.
The Dublin Convention
Applicants processed under the provisions of the Dublin Convention are entitled to the same social
assistance as asylum seekers whose applications have been deemed admissible.
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Spain