Reception Guide

Catalonia not only receives immigrants; it has been and remains a country from which citizens and families emigrate to different parts of the world. Emigrants sometimes want to return to Catalonia, for which reason the General Directorate for Immigration (Direcció General per a la Immigració) has established the aid plan for the return of Catalan emigrants (Pla d'Ajuda al Retorn). The aid plan consists of a number of measures intended to help with the return and the social and vocational integration of Catalans or their descendants who, for whatever reason, left the country in the past.

The main types of support available under the plan are:

• Aid to cover travel expenses.

• Benefits for dealing with urgent situations, in the case of extreme necessity.

• Aid for the ratification and validation of official studies and qualifications.

• Aid for changing from a foreign driving licence to a Spanish driving licence.

The measures and benefits that are part of the aid plan are compatible with those that the Spanish government makes available to returning emigrants.

People who are not yet included on a population register in Catalonia may begin the necessary procedures from their country of residence.

See this website for further information.