Spain is preparing a major policy that could allow about 500,000 undocumented migrants already living in the country to gain legal status. The government led by Pedro Sánchez has started legal steps for the plan by placing a draft decree into public consultation as part of the formal approval process. Officials say the goal is to bring people who are already working and living in Spain into the legal system so they can contribute openly to the economy and society.
The proposal is expected to cover foreign nationals who were in Spain before the end of December 2025, can show at least five months of continuous presence, and have no criminal record. It will also include some asylum seekers who applied before that date. Applications are likely to open around April 2026 and run for a few months, although final timelines will depend on approval of the decree and guidance from the Spanish Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration.
If approved, successful applicants will receive a one-year residence permit. This permit will allow them to live and work legally across Spain in any sector, and many may be able to start working once their application is accepted for processing. The government says this will help move workers out of informal jobs, reduce exploitation, and give employers more certainty. Children already in Spain could receive longer residence permits, helping families stay together.
Legal status will also allow migrants to register for social security, pay taxes, and access employment protections and benefits linked to formal work. Officials argue that this step supports integration by ensuring migrants can participate fully in the legal economy rather than remaining on the margins.
However, the regularization does not grant automatic citizenship or voting rights in national or regional elections. Migrants would still need to meet separate legal requirements to apply for Spanish nationality, which usually requires several years of legal residence. Claims circulating online suggesting the policy would allow migrants to vote immediately have been widely described as false.
Some practical details remain unclear while the decree moves through the legislative process. Questions remain about how applications will be submitted, what documents will be accepted as proof of presence, and how quickly cases will be processed across different regions. Authorities say more information will be released as implementation plans are finalized.
Looking back, Spain carried out a similar large regularization in 2005 that granted legal status to more than half a million people. Research later showed that tax revenues increased, many workers moved into formal jobs, and there was little evidence of a major rise in new irregular migration. While migrants still faced wage gaps and structural challenges, the policy helped formalize large parts of the labor market.
The government says the new plan reflects the reality that many migrants are already contributing to key sectors of the economy. Supporters believe it could boost social security contributions and improve labor protections, while critics point to concerns about housing pressure and political tensions. How successful the measure will be in 2026 will depend largely on how effectively it is implemented and how broader integration policies evolve.