Madrid, Spain – In a landmark policy shift, Spain’s government announced Tuesday that it will grant legal status to potentially hundreds of thousands of immigrants living and working in the country without authorisation. The move positions Spain as an outlier in Europe, where immigration policies have largely grown more restrictive.
The Announcement
Migration Minister Elma Saiz unveiled the extraordinary measure following a weekly cabinet meeting, confirming that the government will amend existing immigration laws through an expedited decree.
Under the new policy, undocumented immigrants 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 one-year residency permits and permission to work. Applicants must also demonstrate they have no criminal record.
“I believe today is a great day for our country,” Saiz told journalists.
Who Will Benefit
The measure could benefit between 500,000 and 800,000 people, according to estimates from migrant organisations. Many of these immigrants are from Latin America and Africa, working in Spain’s agriculture, tourism, and service sectors industries that form the backbone of the country’s growing economy.
Political Context
The expedited decree bypasses a similar bill that had stalled in parliament. The announcement followed a last-minute deal between the ruling Socialist Party and the left-wing Podemos party, securing parliamentary support for Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s fragile government.
Implementation Timeline
Saiz said she expects immigrants will be able to start applying for legal status from April 2026, once the decree comes into force.
Reaction from Civil Society
The news was welcomed by hundreds of migrant rights groups and prominent Catholic associations, who had campaigned for years to secure protections for undocumented workers. In 2024, activists collected 700,000 signatures for a similar initiative that was admitted for debate in Congress but failed to gain enough support to pass.
Conclusion
Spain’s decision marks a significant departure from the hardline immigration stance seen across much of Europe and the United States. By prioritising integration and legal recognition, the government aims to bring undocumented workers out of the shadows, strengthen the economy, and reaffirm Spain’s commitment to social inclusion.
