The Spanish government has announced the launch of a legalization program for hundreds of thousands of illegal migrants already living in the country. It is expected that the new rules will allow many to obtain the right to live and work. Learn more about the conditions of legalization, requirements for applicants and possible consequences of this decision

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The Spanish government has announced a large-scale legalization program that could cover up to half a million people without official status. These are foreigners who are already in the country and have applied for international protection. Under the new rules, they will be able to obtain a residence permit and the right to work, which should significantly change their legal status and conditions of stay in Spain.

The decision sparked an active discussion in society and political circles. Some politicians support the initiative as a step towards a more humane migration policy and legalization of the shadow labor market, while the opposition sharply criticizes the program and considers it a political maneuver. Against the backdrop of a pan-European trend toward stricter migration control, the Spanish approach looks atypical and attracts increased attention.

Earlier, we talked in detail about the changes to Spain's visa and migration rules expected in 2026.

Planning to move to Europe or apply for a residence permit? Migration legislation is changing rapidly, and even a minor error in the documents can cost months of waiting or refusal.

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What the Spanish government has decided: the essence of the new legalization program

The Spanish government is launching a legalization program for migrants in an irregular situation, which can cover up to 500 thousand people. The program participants will be able to obtain a temporary residence permit for a period of one year with a work permit, which will allow them to stay in the country legally and find employment.

The program is targeted at foreigners who are already in Spain and have applied for international protection, provided they can prove their residence in the country and have no criminal record. Among the foreigners who most often apply for legalization in Spain are citizens of Morocco, Colombia, Venezuela, Peru and Nigeria, so the new rules may be relevant for migrants from different regions of the world.

Who can get a residence permit under the new rules?

Not all migrants without status will be able to participate in the legalization program, but only those who meet the criteria set by the government. These are foreigners who have applied for international protection in Spain and have actually resided in the country for a certain period before a certain date. The program is aimed at legalizing those who are already integrated into society and are working or looking for work.

The basic requirements include proof of residence in Spain for at least several months until the end of 2025, as well as no criminal record. Those who cannot prove their stay in the country or have problems with the law will most likely not be eligible for the program. In this way, the authorities are trying to limit legalization to cases that they consider socially and security-wise acceptable.

How the procedure for obtaining a residence permit in Spain will look like

The legalization procedure under the new program involves a migrant's official application to the Spanish migration authorities to confirm eligibility for the program. After verification of eligibility, the applicant may be granted a temporary residence permit for a period of one year with the right to legal employment.

In general, the process will look like this:

1. Submitting an application for participation in the legalization program;

2. Confirmation of the fact of residence in Spain by the specified date;

3. Checking for a criminal record;

4. Consideration of the case by the migration authorities;

5. Obtaining a residence and work permit if approved.

After obtaining a residence permit, a migrant will be able to officially find a job, conclude employment contracts and use basic administrative services in Spain. Detailed rules for applying and processing are to be further clarified in official government clarifications.

Earlier we told you that Spain has authorized short-term work permits for foreigners.

What documents are required for legalization?

To participate in the legalization program, migrants will need to prepare a package of basic documents confirming the right to obtain a temporary residence permit. The exact list may be further clarified in official explanations, but it is already clear that the key emphasis will be on confirming the fact of residence in Spain and the applicant's reliability.

The following documents may be required:

1. An identity document (passport or other identification document);

2. Confirmation of filing an application for international protection in Spain;

3. Proof of residence in the country for a specified period (certificates, registration, lease agreements, other official or factual evidence);

4. Certificate of no criminal record or confirmation from the competent authorities;

5. Other documents that may be required by the migration service as part of the procedure.

An incomplete package of documents or lack of proof of residence in Spain may be grounds for refusal to participate in the program, so applicants should prepare all possible evidence of their stay in the country in advance.

To learn more about the procedure for obtaining a digital nomad visa in Spain, please follow the link.

Reaction in Spain and Europe: support and criticism

The announcement of a large-scale migrant legalization program has sparked a lively political debate in Spain. The Minister of Integration and Migration called the initiative part of a course towards a more humane migration policy and a response to the rise of anti-migration sentiment in Europe. According to her, the program aims to legalize those foreigners who are already actually living and working in the country but are outside the legal field.

At the same time, opposition parties sharply criticized the government's decision. Representatives of centrist and right-wing forces said that such legalization could stimulate new waves of illegal migration and put an additional burden on the social system. Some politicians have publicly accused the government of trying to use the migration issue to divert attention from the country's internal problems. Against a pan-European backdrop where many countries are tightening migration controls, Spain's position looks atypical and has already attracted interest and criticism outside the country.

What does this mean for migrants and refugees?

For migrants without legal status, the new program opens up the possibility of leaving the “shadow” situation and obtaining official residence in Spain. A temporary residence permit with a work permit will allow them to be legally employed, sign employment contracts and use basic administrative and social services. For many, this is a chance to stabilize their situation and reduce the risk of deportation.

At the same time, it should be borne in mind that the residence permit will have a limited validity period, and further extension of the status will depend on compliance with the requirements and migration rules. Therefore, participation in the program does not guarantee an automatic long-term stay in the country, but only creates a legal basis for legal life and work in Spain. For migrants, this also means the need to closely monitor the updates to the rules and timely draw up documents.

If you are planning to legalize, apply for a residence permit or submit migration documents abroad, the assistance of specialized migration lawyers can significantly simplify the process. Specialists will help you assess your chances of obtaining legal status, prepare a package of documents, avoid common mistakes, and accompany you at all stages of the migration procedure: from the initial consultation to obtaining a decision from the migration authorities.

We remind you! A visa to search for work in Spain gives foreigners up to 12 months to stay legally, search for vacancies or start their own business. We have already talked about the main advantages of the visa, popular sectors and cities for employment, practical tips for finding a job and the procedure for converting a visa after receiving an offer.

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