espanolResumen Espana vivio entre 1998 y 2008 un fenomeno que hasta el momento no se habia producido y que la convirtio en el primer pais receptor de flujos migratorios de la Union Europea, incluso delante de Alemania. En solo diez anos la poblacion inmigrante procedente de paises terceros (no comunitarios) aumento exponencialmente, comenzando un descenso progresivo a partir de 2011, momento que coincidio con la profundizacion de la crisis economica. La llegada masiva y repentina de inmigrantes plantea nuevos retos economicos, politicos y sociales a los paises de acogida que son dificiles de resolver si no se esta preparado para ello. Sin embargo, en solo una decada Espana logro construir unas bases solidas que favorecieron la gobernanza de las migraciones e impidieron la ruptura de la convivencia y la paz social. Este articulo analiza los aspectos clave del sistema migratorio espanol que hicieron posible que varios millones de inmigrantes internacionales se integraran de forma pacifica en la sociedad espanola, siendo algunos de ellos contrarios a los lineamientos de la Union Europea. EnglishAbstract Between 1998 and 2008, Spain lived a phenomenon that had not occurred until then, and that made it the first country to receive migratory flows in the European Union, even before Germany. In only ten years, the immigrant population from third countries (non-EU countries) increased exponentially, starting a gradual decline in 2011, coinciding with the deepening of the economic crisis. The massive and sudden arrival of immigrants poses new economic, political and social challenges to the host countries that are difficult to solve if they are not prepared for it. However, in just one decade Spain managed to build solid foundations that favoured the governance of migration and prevented the rupture of coexistence and social peace. This article analyses the key aspects of the Spanish migratory system that made it possible for several millions of international immigrants to integrate peacefully into Spanish society, some of which were contrary to the guidelines of the European Union.