The Permanent Immigration Observatory (PIO) is a collegiate body which, according to the provisions of the Organic Law on Foreigners (LO 4/2000, of January 11, on the rights and freedoms of foreigners in Spain and their social integration), in its Fifth Additional Provision,, “(…) will bring together all available statistical information on foreigners, immigration, international protection and nationality, regardless of the Public Administration, Ministerial Department or Agency responsible for its preparation, in order to serve as a analysis system and exchange of qualitative and quantitative information related to migratory movements at the service of the entities responsible for managing public policies in such matters. "

Among its functions, listed generically in art. 3 of Royal Decree 345/2001, it is responsible for the publication of 5 official statistics included in the National Statistical Plan, as stated in Royal Decree 150/2021, of March 9, approving the Annual Program 2021 of the National Statistical Plan 2021-2024.

Furthermore, the Permanent Immigration Observatory is part of the European Statistical System (art. 5(2) in conjunction with art. 4 of EC Regulation No 223/2009), and recognized as 'other national authority (ONA, responsible for the development, production and dissemination of European statistics designated by the Member States', and is expressly listed in the List of National Statistical Institutes and other national authorities responsible for the development, production and dissemination of European statistics designated by the Member States on Eurostat's website.