Voluntary Return Programme for Non-EU Foreign Workers

Given the large number of immigrants who have lost their jobs in recent months, a voluntary return programme has been made available, for the first time, to a specific group of foreign nationals. Those who take part in the programme benefit from a number of advantages to help them restart their lives in their country of origin.

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Key Features of the Return Programme

The programme is open to those who meet the following requirements:

• Participation must be entirely voluntary.
• Applicants must be non-EU foreign workers.
• Applicants must be unemployed.

Workers who join the programme receive either the contributory unemployment benefit they are entitled to, or the remaining balance of that benefit at the time they begin their return. Payment is made in two instalments: 40% is paid in Spain, and the remaining 60% is paid in the country of origin 30 days later.

In addition, financial assistance has been made available to cover return travel costs, with a budget allocation of €3,451,510.71.

Voluntary Return Programme for Social Support

Running alongside the standard Voluntary Return Programme is the Voluntary Return Programme for Social Support, which is administered through NGOs.

This scheme is aimed at foreign nationals who wish to return to their country of origin but lack the financial means to do so. It is designed for refugees, displaced persons, asylum seekers, individuals under State protection on humanitarian grounds, and migrants in an irregular situation or holding residence permits and work permits.

The requirements to qualify for this scheme are as follows:

• The applicant must be in a situation of financial hardship and social vulnerability.
• The applicant must have been resident in Spain for more than six months.
• The applicant must provide a report from the Social Services of the municipality where they reside, or from a specialist NGO, certifying their situation of vulnerability.
• The applicant must confirm their voluntary wish to return.

Those who meet the criteria will receive a paid travel ticket from Spain to their country of origin, together with cover for any unforeseen expenses and medication they may require along the way. The scheme also provides a travel allowance of €50 per person for costs incurred during the journey, and a reintegration grant of €400 per person upon arrival in their country of origin, up to a maximum of €1,600 per family unit.

Assessment of the Voluntary Return Schemes

One year after the launch of these schemes, the results are positive when measured by the number of people who have enrolled. In addition to unemployed foreign workers, the schemes have also benefited more than 1,500 family members who accompanied the primary holder of the voluntary return entitlement.

By region, Madrid recorded the highest uptake of the Voluntary Return Programme, with 1,857 workers, followed by Catalonia and the Valencia Region, with 1,432 and 1,234 workers respectively.