Spain Approves Regularization of 500,000 Undocumented Migrants

Spain’s socialist-led coalition government has approved a decree to regularize 500,000 undocumented migrants and asylum seekers, rejecting anti-migration rhetoric prevalent across Europe.

The decree, expected to take effect in April, will apply to asylum seekers and people with irregular status who have lived in Spain for at least five months before December 31, 2025, without criminal records.

Spain has become a European outlier on migration as Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez stated in October 2024 that the country needs migration to grow its economy and sustain its welfare state amid demographic challenges. The announcement follows pressure from leftist allies and a citizens’ initiative signed by over 700,000 people backed by approximately 900 social organizations presented to parliament in 2024.

Minister Elma Saiz called it a “historic day” designed to “break bureaucratic barriers” and reinforce a migration model based on human rights, integration, and coexistence compatible with economic growth.

Regularization programs have been widely used across the EU, with 43 implemented by more than a dozen countries between 1996 and 2008. Spain has conducted nine such programs since returning to democracy, with the conservative People’s Party actually implementing more regularization initiatives than any other party when in government, despite now criticizing the current decree.

The Brussels-based Platform for International Cooperation on Undocumented Migrants praised the decision as showing “humanity and common sense” that could provide dignity and stability for thousands.

However, conservative People’s Party leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo and far-right Vox party leader Santiago Abascal sharply criticized the move, accusing the government of promoting illegal immigration.

Spain’s economy is outperforming European neighbors with unemployment falling below 10 percent for the first time since 2008, reaching nearly 22.5 million employed people.

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