Spain has decided to grant legal status to nearly 500,000 undocumented migrants, a move being described as a significant development in the country’s immigration policy. According to a foreign news agency, Spanish Minister for Migration Elma Saiz stated that the government is preparing to approve a decree under which approximately half a million undocumented migrants will be regularized.
She said that the number of migrants eligible for legal status could increase or decrease, adding that those who qualify will be allowed to work in any part of the country and in any sector, providing them with broader employment opportunities.
Elma Saiz further explained that the government aims to design an immigration system that aligns with human rights, social inclusion, mutual harmony, economic growth, and social cohesion in order to integrate migrants more effectively into society.
This decision marks a contrast to stricter immigration policies being adopted in other parts of Europe and represents Spain’s latest approach toward managing migration.
Under the decision, migrants who have been living in Spain for at least five months will be eligible to apply, provided they have a clean criminal record. The policy will also apply to their children who are already residing in Spain.
The application process is expected to begin in April and continue until the end of June. According to the news agency, the plan will be implemented through a government decree that does not require parliamentary approval, as the Socialist-led coalition government does not hold a majority in parliament.
Conservative and right-wing opposition parties have criticized the government, warning that the decision could lead to an increase in illegal immigration. In response, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that Spain needs immigration to address labor shortages and manage the challenges posed by an aging population.
According to think tank Funcas, around 840,000 undocumented migrants were living in Spain at the beginning of January 2025, most of whom were from Latin America. Recent data from Spain’s National Statistics Institute shows that more than seven million foreign migrants live in the country, out of a total population of 49.4 million.
