The Council of Ministers has approved a reform of the rules governing the stay of foreigners in Spain in order to launch an emergency mass legalization process for immigrants who are in the country irregularly and apply accordingly. According to various estimates, around 500,000 people could benefit from this measure.
The initiative was adopted after the government reached an agreement with the far-left party Podemos, without a parliamentary vote. The measure will take effect immediately after publication in the Official State Gazette (BOE). To launch the legalization procedure, it was only necessary to approve a royal decree in the Council of Ministers, which was done last Tuesday.
Requirements and deadlines
The application period for obtaining documents will open in April and will run until June 30, 2026. The main requirements include:
- having been in Spain in an irregular status (without a visa or valid residence permit) by December 31, 2025;
- continuous residence in Spain for five months at the time of submitting the application;
- no significant criminal record/criminal background (a police clearance certificate from the country of residence is required, with an apostille and translation if necessary).
Length of residence can be proven with documents such as a registration certificate, rental contract, medical visit certificates, proof of receiving social assistance, proof of sending money from Spain, a transport ticket, etc.
Along with the parents who will receive a residence permit with the right to work, their minor children will also be granted a residence permit (for 5 years). The measure also applies to applicants for political asylum and refugee status.
Applications will be processed within a maximum of 3 months. At the time of submission, deportation procedures for administrative reasons or for working without authorization that have been issued against the person will be suspended for potential beneficiaries of legalization. Once the application is accepted for processing, a temporary residence permit will be issued, allowing the person to work legally and access other basic rights – such as medical care. In the event of a positive decision, a one-year residence permit will be granted, after which it will be possible to apply for a standard residence permit in accordance with the rules for foreigners.
The last mass regularization of immigrants’ status took place in 2005 under the government of José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero. As in this case, it was carried out on legal grounds, without the involvement of the Congress of Deputies, and allowed more than 575,000 people to regularize their status. The same happened in 2000, when another extraordinary legalization was carried out – this time by the executive led by José María Aznar. However, at that time the lower house of parliament first reformed the Foreigners Act, which required the government to launch that process.
