Spain’s Council of Ministers today approved a Royal Decree for the extraordinary regularization of thousands of migrants.

Spain’s Government on April 14 officially announced that its new migrant regularization decree, approved by the Council of Ministers this Tuesday, will come into effect on April 16 following its publication in the Official State Gazette and will allow beneficiaries to obtain a residence and work authorization valid for one year.

This historic measure is set to provide residence and work permits to approximately half a million individuals, offering a crucial pathway to legal status and full integration within Spanish society, marking a significant step towards recognizing rights and ensuring legal certainty for a substantial portion of the migrant population.

The decree aims to address the long-standing situation of many migrants living in the country without proper documentation, enabling them to access formal employment and social services. This move is expected to not only improve the living conditions of thousands of individuals but also to contribute positively to the Spanish economy by incorporating more people into the official labor market.

This historic measure grants one-year residence and work permits to those residing in the country since before 2026, strengthening social integration.

Text reads: “The Council of Ministers approves the royal decree for the process of extraordinary administrative regularization for thousands of migrants who already reside in our country.”
“An initiative with a triple legitimacy: social, political and economic.”

Expanded Eligibility Criteria

The primary requirement for migrants in an irregular situation is to prove their arrival in Spain before December 31, 2025, and to demonstrate at least five months of continuous residence within the country. An essential requirement is the absence of a criminal record and posing no threat to public order or health.

Further expanding the criteria, individuals who have worked in Spain during their stay in the country are also eligible. Alternatively, applicants can present a work contract of at least 90 days within a year, acknowledging the economic contributions of migrants already within the country and facilitates their formal entry into the labor market. Moreover, those residing in Spain with their family unit can also apply, provided the unit includes school-aged children or those pursuing academic studies, adult children with disabilities requiring support or unable to meet their own needs due to health reasons, or first-degree ascendants (parents).

To substantiate this continuous stay, applicants can provide various forms of documentation beyond official registration records. These may include utility bills, medical reports, or receipts from municipal services, offering a flexible approach to evidence gathering for those who might lack formal registration. This flexibility aims to ensure that a broader range of individuals can access the regularization process, acknowledging the varied circumstances under which migrants live.

The norm stipulates that migrants will have one month to submit the certificate. If they fail to obtain it within this timeframe, the Executive Power will request it through diplomatic channels for a period of three months. Should the certificate not arrive after this extended period, the interested person will have an additional 15 days to try and obtain it independently, but failure to present the document within this final period will render the individual ineligible for the regularization process.

Text reads: “This regularization is aimed at people: That have been in Spain since before January 1, 2026. Which have been kept for 5 months without interruption. Have no criminal record and are not a threat to public order, safety or health.”

Key Protections Detailed

For asylum seekers, the new decree offers a crucial pathway. They must demonstrate arrival in Spain before January 1, 2026, using any valid document as proof. An identification document, whether current or expired, is also required. Significantly, asylum seekers are not required to renounce their asylum procedure before applying for this extraordinary regularization. Renunciation will only be mandatory if the individual receives a favorable resolution for their regularization application, which means that asylum seekers with pending petitions or appeals can initiate the regularization process without abandoning their pursuit of international protection, providing an added layer of security and choice.

Special protection is extended to minors. Accompanied minors can obtain residence authorization under more flexible conditions. For children born in Spain, there is no obligation to submit the application within six months after birth. For those not born in Spain, neither a prior two-year stay nor proof of sufficient economic means or accommodation from parents or guardians will be required.

However, the regularization explicitly excludes stateless persons (those without a nationality). Authorities consider their situation distinct, requiring a different approach. This exclusion primarily affects the Sahrawi people, highlighting a specific gap in the current framework that will need alternative solutions for this particular group.

Text reads: “The contribution of migrants, allows to maintain our welfare system. @SaizElma: “It’s great news because a country that grants rights, rather than cuts them, is a better country.”

Application Logistics

The application period, available electronically or in person by appointment, will conclude on June 30. This structured process aims to manage the high volume of expected applications efficiently, ensuring that eligible individuals can access their new legal status.

Starting this Thursday, April 16, applications can be initiated telematically, with in-person submissions becoming available from April 20.

The process automatically authorizes applicants to work in any sector and location across the national territory once the application procedure has commenced. This immediate access to the labor market is a crucial component of the regularization, enabling migrants to contribute economically and become self-sufficient without undue delays.

The authorization granted will permit beneficiaries to reside and work across the entire national territory, encompassing both self-employment and employment in any sector. The permit will be temporary, with a maximum validity of one year. At the end of this period, those who have obtained this regularization will be eligible to apply for one of the ordinary permits outlined in the Foreigners’ Regulations. This tiered approach provides an initial period of stability, allowing migrants to formalize their lives and then transition to more permanent legal statuses, fostering long-term integration and security.

Integration Plan Progress

To streamline the management of applications, the Spanish Government has made available offices of Foreigners, Social Security and Post Offices. This effort also includes the free collaboration of trade unions and non-profit organizations registered in the Registry of Foreigners Collaborators (RECEX, in Spanish).

This regularization initiative stands as the first milestone of the Intercultural Integration and Coexistence Plan, which seeks to provide an administrative response to the migrant population that is already an integral part of Spanish society. The plan recognizes the existing contributions of migrants and aims to formalize their status, facilitating their full participation in social, economic and cultural life.

By offering a pathway to legal status, Spain is not only upholding international Human Rights principles but also leveraging the potential of its migrant population for sustained national development.

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