Since attaining independence, Uruguay has always considered Spain as the Madre Patria, and cultivated intense cultural and economical links between both countries.

During the last decades of the 20th century and first years of the 21st, there have been thousands of Uruguayans travelling to live and work in Spain,[4] many of them thanks to their Spanish passports.

During the civic-military dictatorship of Uruguay (1973-1985), some expatriates spent their exile years in Spain.

[4] Current data put the figure of Uruguayans in Spain at 80,000.

[7] Official information consider that there are at least 50 Uruguayan-run organizations in Spain.