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Spain is set to launch one of the largest migrant regularization processes in its democratic history, a measure that could allow up to 500,000 undocumented migrants to obtain legal residence and work permits over the coming months.
The extraordinary initiative, agreed by the coalition government and its parliamentary partners, will be approved by the Council of Ministers through a Royal Decree, enabling fast-track implementation while avoiding a potentially divisive parliamentary debate.
A response to an “urgent social need”
The government has framed the policy as a response to an “urgent social need”, aimed at bringing hundreds of thousands of migrants out of legal limbo. The objective is twofold: guaranteeing basic rights and facilitating social and labour integration in Spain. 
If government projections hold, this Spain migrant regularization could rival the scale of the landmark 2005 process under José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, which benefited more than 576,000 people.
A fast-track legal route via Royal Decree
The regularization will be enacted through a Royal Decree, allowing the executive to act swiftly. The Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration, led by Elma Saiz, has described this route as:
The decision also avoids parliamentary gridlock, as the conservative Popular Party (PP) has already expressed opposition. While inspired by a Popular Legislative Initiative (ILP) supported by civil society, the government opted for executive approval to ensure speed and legal certainty.
Who can apply for the regularization?
The scheme targets migrants who meet the following criteria:
- Continuous residence in Spain for at least five months before 31 December 2025
- Applicants for international protection (including asylum seekers) who applied before that date, with no minimum residency requirement
- No criminal record and no threat to public order or security
To prove residence, applicants may submit any public or private documentation, or a combination of both.
What does the residence and work permit include?
Approved applicants will receive:
- A one-year residence and work permit
- Validity across all of Spain
- Access to all economic sectors
This marks a major shift from previous permits tied to specific jobs or regions.
Importantly, the initial permit serves as a gateway to long-term regularization, allowing migrants to transition into standard immigration categories under Spain’s Immigration Regulation.
Family protection
- Minor children already in Spain will be included
- Children will receive a five-year residence permit
Key dates and deadlines
- Applications open: Early April (after administrative processing)
- Deadline: 30 June
- Decision timeframe: Up to three months
However, migrants will be allowed to work much sooner. Within 15 days of admission for processing, applicants may legally start working in Spain.
Irregular migration in Spain: the broader context
The regularization comes amid a sharp rise in irregular migration in Spain. According to a Funcas report, the number of non-EU migrants without legal status has increased eightfold in nine years:
- 2017: ~107,000 people
- 2025: ~840,000 people
Contrary to popular belief, most do not arrive by sea, but enter legally by air and later lose their status.
Funcas notes:
Countries of origin
Most undocumented migrants in Spain come from Latin America, particularly:
- Colombia: ~290,000
- Peru: ~110,000
- Honduras: ~90,000
African, Asian, and European nationals account for much smaller shares.
“These are people already working in essential sectors such as domestic work, agriculture, and construction, but without basic rights,” the report states. “The system renders them invisible.”
Spain’s history of migrant regularizations
This is the first extraordinary regularization under Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, but Spain has carried out at least seven major regularizations since 1986.
Key milestones include:
- Aznar governments (1996–2001): Over 520,000 migrants regularized
- Zapatero government (2005): 576,506 people granted legal status
Since then, Spain has relied on “arraigo” permits based on social, family, or labour ties. While helpful, Funcas warns these measures have not prevented sustained growth in irregular migration.
Looking ahead
Before this announcement, Funcas projected that Spain’s undocumented migrant population would grow by 90,000 people per year, surpassing 850,000 by 2027.
The government now hopes the extraordinary regularization will at least stabilise those figures, and potentially reduce them.
As Elma Saiz has stated:
“This is about guaranteeing rights, promoting integration, and acknowledging the reality of people who are already part of our society.”
Whether the plan succeeds will depend on implementation, administrative capacity, and political follow-through. For hundreds of thousands of migrants, however, it represents a long-awaited path out of the shadows.
FAQ: Spain’s Migrant Regularization Process
❓ When does the regularization process start?
Applications are expected to open in early April and close on 30 June.
❓ Who is eligible for migrant regularization in Spain?
Undocumented migrants who can prove five months of continuous residence before 31 December 2025, as well as asylum seekers who applied before that date.
❓ Will applicants be allowed to work?
Yes. Within 15 days of application admission, migrants may legally work in Spain.
❓ How long is the residence permit valid?
The initial permit is valid for one year, with the possibility of transitioning to long-term residence.
❓ How many people could benefit?
The government estimates up to 500,000 people, though some studies suggest the figure could be higher.
Information Source:
Photo Attribution:
Faces of Migrants – Emotions of Women and Children in a Refugee Boat, por Jurita Kalite (JuritaArt.com), dominio público, vía Wikimedia Commons.
Journey – Risk of Ship Collision in the English Channel, por Jurita Kalite (JuritaArt.com), CC BY‑SA 4.0, vía Wikimedia Commons.
Photo: Pedro Sánchez and Begoña Gómez at Number 10 for NATO leaders meeting (3 Dec 2019) by Ministry of the Presidency, Government of Spain / La Moncloa. Licensed under the Government of Spain’s legal notice (free use with attribution and date, no distortion).
Photo: Pedro Sánchez after winning the PSOE primaries, singing “La Internacional” (21 May 2017). By Marta Jara / eldiario.es. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 Spain.
