Spain’s government has approved a plan that could grant legal status to about 500,000 undocumented migrants, allowing them to obtain residence permits and formally enter the country’s workforce.
The regularisation programme is designed to provide eligible migrants with a one-year renewable residence permit. Applicants must demonstrate that they have lived in Spain for at least five months and have no criminal record.
Applications are scheduled to open on April 16 and remain open until the end of June 2026.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez described the measure as both an act of justice and a necessity for the country. In a letter shared on social media, Sánchez argued that migrants already make important contributions to Spanish society and are needed to help address the country’s ageing population and labour needs.
The government says bringing undocumented migrants into the formal economy could strengthen Spain’s workforce, support public services and contribute to economic growth. Sánchez also highlighted Spain’s history as a country whose citizens have themselves migrated abroad in search of employment and better opportunities.
The proposal has, however, faced opposition from Spain’s conservative People’s Party, which has criticised the government’s decision and argued that large-scale regularisation could encourage further irregular migration.
The party has sought to challenge the measure, reflecting the wider political divisions in Spain over immigration and border management.
The regularisation plan comes as Spain continues to deal with significant migration pressures, particularly along its maritime borders and in its North African territories.
According to estimates from the Funcas economic think tank, Spain has around 840,000 undocumented migrants. Many are from Latin American countries and have lived and worked in Spain without formal immigration status.
The government’s decision therefore represents one of Spain’s most significant recent attempts to address irregular migration through legalisation rather than enforcement alone.
The programme also comes at a time when several other European countries are moving in the opposite direction by tightening immigration controls and introducing stricter measures to limit irregular arrivals.
For the Spanish government, the initiative is intended to balance immigration management with the country’s economic and demographic needs. Supporters argue that regularising migrants who are already living in Spain could increase their access to formal employment and allow them to contribute more fully to the tax system and wider economy.
Critics, meanwhile, remain concerned about the potential impact on future migration flows and whether regularisation could create an incentive for people to enter or remain in Spain without legal status.
The implementation of the programme will depend on the government’s assessment of individual applications and compliance with the eligibility requirements as authorities prepare to begin processing applications.