Spain Opens 371 Offices for In-Person Residency Filings as Arraigo Programme Launches

In-Person Filing Begins Across Spain

As of Monday, April 20, Spain has launched in-person filing for Royal Decree 316/2026 across 371 Correos branches and 60 Social Security offices nationwide.

The "arraigo extraordinario" programme allows undocumented residents who were present in Spain before January 1, 2026 to obtain a one-year work and residence permit.

Who Can Apply

The initiative targets migrants already in Spain before the 2026 cutoff date. Applicants must:

• Demonstrate continuous residence in Spain
• Show a clean criminal record
• Provide documentation confirming their presence
• Prove ties to Spain through employment, family connections, or social integration (depending on circumstances)

This is explicitly not a general amnesty. The programme specifically serves approximately 500,000 undocumented migrants who meet the residency requirements.

Work Rights Begin Immediately

Once applications are admitted for processing, workers gain provisional work rights and public healthcare access — a significant shift from their previous status.

The June 30 Deadline

The application window closes on June 30, 2026, creating urgency for those who need to gather documentation — particularly challenging for those obtaining paperwork from home countries.

Authorities warn that applicants should prioritise the 24-hour online portal over waiting for scarce face-to-face appointments.

Challenges Already Emerging

The rollout faces immediate obstacles:

• Immigration staff have called a strike for April 21, citing heavy workloads
• Queues are already forming across regions including the Balearic Islands
• Misinformation and unofficial intermediaries are charging for services that should be free
• NGOs and legal advisers report a surge in assistance requests

Economic Significance

The government frames regularisation as addressing labour shortages while bringing undocumented workers into the legitimate economy. Migration Minister Elma Saiz has previously stated that foreign nationals account for 42.9% of jobs created since labour reform.

This article is based on reporting from Euro Weekly News, published April 20, 2026. Applications must be submitted before June 30 — consult official channels or an immigration lawyer for guidance.