This article examines the legal challenges surrounding the reception of unaccompanied minors within Spain’s multilevel governance (MLG) framework. Using the Canary Islands as a key case study, it explores the institutional conflict between the regional and central governments, highlighting how fragmented competences and the lack of binding mechanisms for territorial solidarity generate systemic tensions. The paper offers a legal analysis of Royal Decree 2/2025, evaluating its potential to improve intergovernmental coordination. It argues that while decentralization may enhance adaptability, it can also produce governance gaps that undermine the rights of vulnerable populations. Also drawing on case studies from other European countries, the article assesses whether the current Spanish model is capable of ensuring the effective protection of unaccompanied minors. It concludes with a call for institutional reform to align MLG with the principle of the best interests of the child.
European Public Law