Key data
| Regulation | First Amendment to the Interior Ministry – IOM Agreement (voluntary return and border management) |
|---|---|
| BOE Publication | July 30, 2026 |
| Entry into force | July 22, 2026 |
| Total contribution | €796,535 |
| Direct affected parties | Irregular migrants in Spain, National Police, Interior Ministry officials |
| Category | Regulatory Changes |
| Fiscal year | 2026 |
| Official URL | BOE-A-2026-16547 |
The Interior Ministry and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) have formalized the first amendment to their November 2025 agreement, raising Spain's total contribution to €796,535 to finance two migration projects during 2026. The official reference is BOE-A-2026-16547, with entry into force on July 22, 2026.
This agreement does not generate direct obligations for private companies, but it does have relevant operational implications for third-sector organizations, reception entities, NGOs with return programs and any actor working in the designated border areas.
What does this regulation establish?
The amendment updates the original Interior-IOM agreement from November 2025 in two main aspects: it increases the total economic contribution and formalizes the scope of the GEFMES VI project. The two financed projects are:
| Project | Amount | Geographic scope | Main activity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assisted voluntary return and reintegration | €346,535 | Morocco | Support for voluntary return of irregular migrants from Spain to Morocco |
| GEFMES VI – Integrated border management | €450,000 | Canary Islands, Balearic Islands and Almería | Deployment of cultural mediators and information to migrants about rights and voluntary return; training for National Police officers |
Payment is structured in two installments:
- €646,535 paid after the signature of the original agreement (November 2025).
- €150,000 additional formalized with this first amendment (July 2026).
Financing may come partially from European Union funds, without altering the responsibility of the Interior Ministry to the IOM as guarantor of the agreement.
The GEFMES VI project is expressly aligned with the new European Pact on Migration and Asylum and with EU Regulation 2024/1356, which regulates the screening of persons at the external borders of the EU. Training for National Police officers in vulnerability assessment directly responds to the requirements of this European regulation.
Economic and operational impact
The total disbursement of €796,535 is divided unevenly between the two projects: 56.5% of the budget (€450,000) is allocated to GEFMES VI, which operates in Spanish territory, while the remaining 43.5% (€346,535) finances the return program from Morocco.
From an operational perspective, the most immediate impact is the deployment of cultural mediators in three areas of high migration pressure: the Canary Islands, Balearic Islands and Almería. These mediators act as an interface between authorities and irregular migrants, providing information about rights and voluntary return options.
For the National Police, the amendment implies receiving specific training in vulnerability assessment, a requirement derived from EU Regulation 2024/1356. This represents a change in border operation protocols, with more structured and documented screening procedures.
The possibility of co-financing with EU funds allows the Ministry to reduce the impact on the national budget, although contractual responsibility to the IOM rests entirely with the Spanish State.
Who does it affect?
- Irregular migrants arriving in Spain, especially in the Canary Islands, Balearic Islands and Almería: will receive information about their rights and the voluntary return program through IOM cultural mediators.
- National Police: its officers will receive training in vulnerability assessment in accordance with EU Regulation 2024/1356.
- Interior Ministry officials: responsible for the execution and monitoring of the agreement with the IOM.
- NGOs and third-sector entities active in border areas (Canary Islands, Balearic Islands, Almería): may be affected by coordination with cultural mediators deployed by the IOM.
- Irregular migrants in Morocco with links to Spain: potential beneficiaries of the assisted voluntary return program financed with €346,535.
Practical example
An NGO based in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria that works in temporary reception centers will see how, as of the entry into force of this amendment (July 22, 2026), the IOM deploys cultural mediators in its area of operation. These mediators, financed from the €450,000 of the GEFMES VI project, will inform irregular migrants about their rights and the possibility of accessing assisted voluntary return to Morocco.
For the NGO, this implies coordinating its care protocols with IOM mediators, adapting information flows to migrants and knowing the referral criteria for the return program, which has €346,535 in specific financing. This is not a direct legal obligation for the NGO, but rather a real operational change in the migrant care ecosystem in the Canary Islands.
What should organizations do now?
- Identify if you operate in the designated areas (Canary Islands, Balearic Islands or Almería): if your organization works in migrant care in these areas, the deployment of IOM mediators directly affects you.
- Review coordination protocols with the IOM and the Interior Ministry to align procedures for information and referral of migrants to the voluntary return program.
- Update internal training on vulnerability assessment, especially if your team works alongside National Police officers at borders or reception centers.
- Verify alignment with EU Regulation 2024/1356: if you manage screening procedures at external borders, review that your protocols comply with the requirements of this regulation, now reinforced by this amendment.
- Explore EU co-financing: if you are a public or third-sector entity with projects in the affected areas, check if you can access European funds that may co-finance these actions.
Frequently asked questions
How much money does Spain contribute to the IOM agreement in 2026?
The total contribution amounts to €796,535, distributed across two projects: €346,535 for assisted voluntary return from Morocco and €450,000 for the GEFMES VI integrated border management project in the Canary Islands, Balearic Islands and Almería.
What is the GEFMES VI project and where does it operate?
GEFMES VI is the sixth integrated border management project financed under the Interior-IOM agreement. It operates during 2026 in the Canary Islands, Balearic Islands and Almería, deploying cultural mediators who inform irregular migrants about their rights and voluntary return, and training National Police officers in vulnerability assessment.
When does this amendment enter into force and when was it published?
The first amendment entered into force on July 22, 2026 and was published in the BOE on July 30, 2026 with reference BOE-A-2026-16547.
How is payment to the Interior-IOM agreement structured?
Payment is divided into two installments: €646,535 paid after the signature of the original agreement (November 2025) and €150,000 additional formalized with this first amendment in July 2026. Financing may come partially from EU funds, although responsibility to the IOM rests entirely with the Interior Ministry.
What European regulation supports the training for the National Police included in this amendment?
Training for National Police officers in vulnerability assessment is aligned with EU Regulation 2024/1356, which regulates the screening of persons at the external borders of the European Union, and with the new European Pact on Migration and Asylum.
Official source
Consult complete regulation in official source
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific decisions, consult a qualified professional. Source: https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/txt.php?id=BOE-A-2026-16547