| Regions with significant populations | |
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| Throughout Uruguay | |
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| Rioplatense Spanish · Galician · Catalan · Basque | |
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| Roman Catholicism · Others | |
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| Spanish Argentines |
| Part ofa series on the |
| Spanish people |
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_alternate_colours.svg) Rojigualda (historical Spanish flag) |
| Regional groups |
Other groups |
| SignificantSpanish diaspora |
 Category •  Spain portal |
Spanish Uruguayans (Spanish:hispano-uruguayos) areUruguayans whoseancestry originates wholly or partly fromSpain. They are the longest-established European group in the country, as Spanish immigrants began arriving during thecolonial period, prior to independence, when administrative roles were held by European-born settlers andcriollos under Spanish rule.[1][2] Along with the massive waves of immigration in the 19th and 20th centuries, it is estimated that around 70% of the Uruguayan population has Spanish ancestry to varying degrees.[3]
Following independence, Spaniards—together withItalians—were the principal source of immigration from the mid-19th century onward, forming a foundational pillar of modern Uruguayan culture and society.[4] In relative terms, Uruguay received the highest number of Spanish immigrants in proportion to its population.[3]
Between the 15th and early 19th centuries, theSpanish Empire was the sole colonial power in theBanda Oriental. Thus, before 1811, a great part of theEuropean settlers in Uruguay were from Spain and they carried theSpanish colonial administration, including religious affairs, government and commercial business. A substantial Spanish-descendedCriollo population gradually built up in the new cities, while some mixed with theindigenous populations (mestizos), with theBlack slave population (mulattoes) or with other European immigrants.
Spanish settlement along with the Italians, formed the backbone of today's Uruguayan society. Like its neighbour countryArgentina, the culture of Uruguay exhibits significant connections to Spanish culture; in terms of language, customs and traditions.
The Spanish immigrants who arrived between 18th and 20th century have different origins, but a significant number of them came fromGalicia,[5][6] theBasque Country,[7] andAsturias;[8] with smaller but notable numbers fromValencia[9] and theCanary Islands.
ManyUruguayans who have a Spanish lineage include those of post-independenceSpanish immigrant descent, as long as they have retained a Spanish cultural identity. Large proportions are ofGalician descent. During theSpanish Civil War, thousands of Spaniards fled from Spain to Uruguay. TheSpanish republicans fledFranco's regime as well, seeking to escape retribution from the new government.
The 2011 Uruguayan census revealed 12,776 people who declared Spain as their country of birth.[10] Thousands of Uruguayan nationals are holders of Spanish passports.[11]
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