The Spanish government has announced its intention to grant legal status to hundreds of thousands of migrants who are working or residing in the country without permission, the Associated Press (AP) reported on Tuesday, citing Social Security and Migration Minister Elma Saiz.
She told reporters that immigrants can begin applying for legalization in April, when the relevant decree is expected to come into force. The permit will apply to those who arrived in Spain before December 31, 2025, have stayed in the country for at least five months, and have no criminal record.
According to various estimates, 500,000 to 800,000 migrants could benefit from the Spanish authorities’ plans. Many of them are from Latin America and Africa and are employed in agriculture, tourism, and the service sector.
AP explains that this decree will allow the government to circumvent a similar initiative that has not yet been approved by parliament.
In November 2024, Saiz stated that the Spanish authorities intend to legalize up to 300,000 migrants per year to fill the labor shortage in the country due to the aging population. At that time, she said that the policy of attracting migrants would last three years. She specified that Spain needs 250,000 to 300,000 foreign workers per year who are able to pay taxes in order to maintain the welfare state.
