Spain announced Tuesday it will grant legal status to around 500,000 undocumented migrants living in the country.
The move aims to reduce labor exploitation, address workforce shortages, and provide better protections for migrants in Spain’s underground economy. Spain’s central bank and the United Nations have previously warned that the country needs about 300,000 migrant workers annually to sustain economic growth and support its welfare system.
“Today is a historic day for our country,” Immigration Minister Elma Saiz said at a news conference. “We are strengthening a migration model based on human rights, integration, coexistence, and compatibility with economic growth and social cohesion.” Saiz added that the measure responds to the reality faced by hundreds of thousands of migrants already living in Spain and will bring clear economic benefits. The Spanish presidency also noted that the measure would allow migrants to live with “dignity.”
Under the new rules, migrants who arrived in Spain before December 31, 2025, and can prove they have lived in the country for at least five months will be eligible for legal residency of up to one year. They will also receive work permits valid nationwide and across all sectors. Applicants must demonstrate they have no criminal record. Applications will open in early April and close on June 30, 2026.
The announcement will not cover all undocumented migrants in Spain. According to Funcas, an economic research center linked to the banking association, roughly 840,000 undocumented migrants were living in Spain at the start of 2025. Most come from Latin America, including about 290,000 from Colombia, 110,000 from Peru, and 90,000 from Honduras. Funcas also notes that the number of undocumented migrants has increased eightfold since 2017.
This policy builds on earlier reforms introduced in May 2025, which simplified and sped up legalization procedures. The government said these reforms could allow up to 900,000 undocumented migrants to obtain legal status over the next three years.
The new measure contrasts with more restrictive immigration policies in the United States and parts of Europe, reflecting Spain’s focus on human rights, economic integration, and long-term social cohesion.
By providing legal status and work permits, Spain hopes to bring migrants out of the shadows, protect their rights, and strengthen the labor market while promoting inclusion and social stability.
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