Spain Begins Mass Regularisation of 500,000 Undocumented Migrants

'An Act of Normalisation'

Spain's left-wing government has approved a decree to regularise around 500,000 undocumented migrants, PM Pedro Sánchez confirmed on Tuesday.

"This regularisation is, above all, an act of normalisation," Sánchez wrote, "because the people affected already build the rich, open and diverse Spain that we are and aspire to be."

Who Qualifies?

• People living in Spain for at least five months
• Who applied for international protection before December 31, 2025
• Must have a clean criminal record
• Their children already in Spain are also included

How to Apply

Migration Minister Elma Saiz said applications open this week until June 30, with "all the channels protected and strengthened" for the work ahead.

The decree becomes law without parliamentary approval — the Socialist-led coalition lacks a majority.

Why Spain Is Doing This

Sánchez has long argued Spain needs migration to fill workforce gaps and counteract an ageing population that could threaten pensions and the welfare state. He credited "the dynamism of migrants" in helping Spain become one of the fastest-growing developed economies.

Opposition and EU Reaction

The conservative PP and far-right Vox say the plan will encourage more irregular immigration. Spain's approach contrasts with a European trend of tougher migration policies under pressure from far-right parties.

The EU has warned that migrants regularised under the scheme will be deported back to Spain if they try to move to other member states — a national residence permit does not authorise free movement within the EU.

Around 840,000 undocumented migrants lived in Spain at the start of 2025, most of them Latin American.

This article is based on reporting from The Local Spain and AFP, published April 14, 2026. This article is for informational purposes only.