Spain will grant legal status to immigrants lacking authorization : NPR

FILE – Migrants sit together with their belongings after being evicted by police from an abandoned school where they had been living in Badalona, near Barcelona, Spain, Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025.

Emilio Morenatti/AP

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Emilio Morenatti/AP

BARCELONA, Spain — Spain’s government announced Tuesday it will grant legal status to potentially hundreds of thousands of immigrants living and working in the country without authorization, the latest way the country has bucked a trend toward increasingly harsh immigration policies imposed in the United States and much of Europe.

The extraordinary measure will be implemented by expediting a decree to amend immigration laws, according to Spanish Minister of Migration Elma Saiz, bypassing a similar bill that has stalled in parliament. Eligible immigrants will be granted up to one year of legal residency as well as permission to work.

In contrast to other nations that have moved to restrict immigration and asylum, many emboldened by the Trump administration’s policies, Spain has moved in the opposite direction with Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and his ministers often extolling the benefits of legal migration to the country’s economy and aging workforce.

Spain “will not look the other way,” Saiz told journalists during a press conference. The government is “dignifying and recognizing people who are already in our country,” she said.

The measure could benefit an estimated 500,000 people living in Spain without authorization, Saiz said. Other organizations have estimated up to 800,000 people live in the shadows of Spanish society. Many are immigrants from Latin American or African countries working in the agricultural, tourism or service sectors, backbones of Spain’s booming economy.

Foreigners who arrived in Spain before Dec. 31, 2025 and can prove they have been living in the country for at least five months will be eligible. They must also prove they have no criminal record.

Saiz said she expects those eligible will be able to start applying for their legal status from April until the end of June. She added that resources would be in place to process them smoothly and efficiently after a union representing Spain’s national police officers, responsible for processing applications, warned of a possible collapse.

Supporters call it a victory amid other countries’ hostile policies

The Spanish government’s move came as a surprise to many after a last-minute deal between the ruling Socialist Party and the leftist Podemos party in exchange for parliamentary support to Sánchez’s wobbly government.

Irene Montero, a European Parliament lawmaker with Podemos who first announced the deal Monday, contrasted Spain’s move with immigration enforcement in the U.S., where the Trump administration has come under intense criticism for its operations, particularly in Minnesota.

“If they kidnap children, murder and terrorize people, we give them papers,” she said during a rally alongside migrant rights activists.

The news was celebrated by hundreds of migrant rights groups and prominent Catholic associations who had campaigned and obtained 700,000 signatures for a similar initiative.

“We are not used to these victories,” said Silvana Cabrera, a spokesperson for the migrant campaigning group RegularizaciónYa, or RegularizationNow in English, as she held back tears. The movement was born in the COVID-19 pandemic when many vulnerable immigrants worked essential jobs with little to no rights or protections.

In a statement Tuesday, the Spanish Episcopal Conference called the move an “act of social justice and recognition of so many migrants who, through their work, have long contributed to the development of” Spain.

“At a time when a hostile environment against migrants is spreading on both sides of the Atlantic, this move shows both humanity and common sense,” said Laetitia Van der Vennet, senior advocacy officer at PICUM, a European network of migrant rights organizations.

Benefits for immigrants and the economy

It’s not the first time Spain has granted amnesty to immigrants who are in the country illegally: It has done so six times between 1986 and 2005.

“There was a strong impact on the workforce, not only legalizing the status of workers but creating formal jobs,” said Anna Terrón Cusi, a senior fellow at the Migration Policy Institute think tank who previously worked on immigration policy for multiple Spanish governments, including Sánchez’s.

The measure will allow Spain to “reset the counter” ahead of the implementation in June of the new European migration and asylum pact which relies heavily on deportations as a solution to irregular migration, she said. Terrón added that by granting legal status to migrants in the country irregularly, Sánchez is giving rights and protections to undocumented workers while also benefiting the Spanish economy.

“In the end, telling people that immigration is bad may appeal to them, but deporting the woman who cleans their house is a different story,” she said.

Opposition slams the move

Center-right and far-right parties criticized the government’s announcement.

Alberto Núñez Feijóo, leader of the conservative Popular Party, accused Sánchez of trying to distract from a deadly train crash earlier this month that left 46 dead. Meanwhile, Santiago Abascal, leader of the anti-immigration, far-right party Vox, wrote on social media that Sánchez “hated” Spaniards and was “accelerating an invasion,” echoing a racist conspiracy theory often used by right-wing extremists.

The Iberian nation — which saw millions of its citizens leave during and after its civil war — has taken in millions of people from South America and Africa in recent years. The vast majority entered the country legally.

Saiz said Spain will remain a “beacon” in the fight against the global wave of anti-immigration politics led by the far right.

“We will do everything in our power to stop it,” she said. “I believe that today is a great day for our country.”

How long does the submission process for Spain’s regularization program take?

Spain Regularizes Undocumented Immigrants: A New Path to Legal Status

Spain has announced a groundbreaking decision to grant legal status to undocumented immigrants who meet specific criteria, a move lauded by advocacy groups and debated by political opponents. this policy shift, reported extensively by NPR and other international news outlets, aims to address labor shortages, integrate long-term residents, and formalize a meaningful portion of the country’s shadow economy. This article details the specifics of the regularization process, eligibility requirements, potential benefits, and the broader implications for immigration policy in Europe.

Understanding the New Regularization Process

The Spanish government’s plan, approved in late 2025 and taking effect in early 2026, allows undocumented immigrants to apply for residency permits if they can demonstrate a consistent work history and meet other established requirements. This isn’t a blanket amnesty; it’s a structured pathway to legal status built around existing contributions to Spanish society.

Here’s a breakdown of the key steps:

1. Application Window: A designated period will be open for applications, likely spanning several months to accommodate the anticipated volume.
2. Documentation: Applicants must provide proof of residing in Spain for at least three years, along with evidence of employment. This includes employment contracts, pay stubs, social security contributions, and possibly employer affidavits.
3. Background Checks: All applicants will undergo thorough background checks to ensure they don’t have a criminal record that would disqualify them.
4. Integration Requirements: While not explicitly stated as a barrier to entry, demonstrating a commitment to integration – such as language proficiency or participation in civic courses – may strengthen an application.
5. Permit Issuance: Triumphant applicants will initially receive temporary residency permits, which can be renewed and eventually lead to permanent residency and even citizenship.

Who is Eligible for Legalization?

The eligibility criteria are crucial. Not all undocumented immigrants will qualify. The primary requirements include:

* Residency: Applicants must prove continuous residence in Spain for a minimum of three years.

* Employment: A demonstrable work history of at least six months is required. This is a key component, aiming to regularize those already contributing to the Spanish economy. Self-employment is also considered.

* Clean Criminal Record: Applicants must not have a criminal record in Spain or their country of origin.

* Social security Contributions: evidence of having made social security contributions during their time working in Spain will significantly strengthen an application.

* No Prior Deportation Orders: Individuals with outstanding deportation orders are likely ineligible.

Specific sectors facing acute labor shortages,such as agriculture,hospitality,and construction,may see prioritized processing of applications. This targeted approach aims to address immediate economic needs.

Economic and social Impacts

The regularization of undocumented workers is expected to have significant economic and social consequences.

* Increased Tax Revenue: Bringing previously “invisible” workers into the formal economy will increase tax revenue for the Spanish government.

* Reduced Labor Exploitation: Legal status empowers workers to negotiate fair wages and working conditions, reducing the risk of exploitation.

* Social Security System Strengthening: Increased social security contributions will help bolster the long-term sustainability of the system.

* Addressing Demographic Challenges: Spain, like many European countries, faces an aging population and declining birth rates. Immigration helps mitigate these demographic challenges.

* Formalizing the Shadow Economy: Regularization reduces the size of the informal economy, creating a more level playing field for businesses.

A European Trend?

Spain’s move is part of a broader, albeit slow, trend towards more pragmatic immigration policies in Europe. Countries like Portugal have also implemented regularization programs in recent years, recognizing the economic benefits of integrating undocumented workers. However, the political landscape remains complex, and opposition to immigration remains strong in many European nations.

Case Study: Portugal’s Regularization Program (2022)

Portugal’s 2022 regularization program offers a valuable case study. The program, which regularized over 34,000 undocumented immigrants, resulted in increased tax revenue, reduced labor exploitation, and improved social cohesion. The Portuguese experience demonstrates the potential benefits of a well-managed regularization process. However, it also highlighted the logistical challenges of processing a large volume of applications and the importance of clear dialog with applicants.

Practical Tips for Applicants

For undocumented immigrants considering applying for legal