World Immigration News

Spain green-lights extraordinary regularisation for 500,000 undocumented migrants

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Release Date

2026-01-28

Media

VisaHQ

Summary

Spain’s government approved a royal decree-law on 27 January 2026 to regularise around 500,000 undocumented migrants and asylum seekers already living in the country. Foreigners who can prove residence or an asylum application before 31 December 2025 and who have no criminal record will be eligible for a one-year residence and work permit, allowing employment in any sector and region.

The government presented the measure as both a human-rights obligation and an economic necessity, aimed at addressing labour shortages in agriculture, tourism, and elder care, reducing informal employment, and increasing social-security revenue. While conservative and far-right parties criticised the move as a potential pull factor, business groups and trade unions welcomed it as a pragmatic response to workforce needs. Spain’s decision contrasts with more restrictive migration policies elsewhere in Europe and may influence wider EU debates on migration and asylum.

Tags

Spain