Staff Report
Spain’s government has moved to regularize the status of an estimated 500,000 undocumented migrants, a decision that marks a distinct divergence from the increasingly restrictive immigration policies observed across much of Europe. This initiative, approved by the left-wing government on Tuesday, aims to integrate a significant number of individuals into the formal economy, allowing them to work in various sectors nationwide. Migration Minister Elma Saiz highlighted the “positive impact” of migration, emphasizing a model grounded in human rights, integration, and economic growth.
The new measure targets individuals who have resided in Spain for at least five months and applied for international protection before December 31, 2025. A clean criminal record is a prerequisite for applicants, and the regularization will also extend to their children already living within the country. The application window is set to open in April and close at the end of June. Notably, this plan will be enacted via a decree, circumventing the need for parliamentary approval, a strategic move given the Socialist-led coalition’s lack of a majority.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has consistently articulated a perspective that frames migration as essential for Spain’s economic vitality. He argues that an aging population and potential strains on the pension and welfare systems necessitate a robust workforce, a gap that migrants are well-positioned to fill. Sánchez has previously stated that migration has accounted for 80% of Spain’s economic growth over the last six years. Recent official data lends weight to this argument; out of 76,200 new employment figures in the final quarter of last year, 52,500 were foreign nationals, contributing to the lowest jobless rate seen since 2008.
This progressive stance by Spain stands in stark contrast to the broader European trend, where political landscapes increasingly lean towards tougher immigration controls, often influenced by the rising prominence of far-right parties. While other European Union members grapple with tightening borders and implementing stricter asylum rules, Spain is charting a different course, one that prioritizes integration and acknowledges the economic contributions of its migrant population.
The decision has, predictably, drawn sharp criticism from Spain’s conservative and far-right opposition. Alberto Nunez Feijoo, leader of the Popular Party, characterized the plan as “ludicrous,” warning it would “overwhelm our public services” and encourage further irregular immigration. He asserted on X that “In Socialist Spain, illegality is rewarded,” vowing to overhaul migration policy should his party come to power. Conversely, organizations like the Spanish Catholic Church have applauded the move, describing it as an “act of social justice and recognition.”
Spain, geographically positioned as a primary gateway for irregular migrants from Africa, particularly through the Canary Islands, has long been at the forefront of migration flows into Europe. Fundas, a prominent think-tank, estimated that approximately 840,000 undocumented migrants, predominantly from Latin American countries, resided in Spain at the beginning of 2025. With over 7 million foreign nationals contributing to a total population of 49.4 million, according to the National Statistics Institute, the integration of these newly regularized individuals could have significant social and economic ramifications for the nation.
