On Tuesday, April 14, the Spanish government officially approved a mass legalization program for approximately 500,000 undocumented migrants — one of the largest amnesties in Europe in the past two decades.
Under a Royal Decree-Law, migrants residing in the country without documents will be able to apply for a one-year renewable residence permit with the right to work. After a successful year, they can transition to standard residency categories and, in due course, to permanent status.
Key eligibility requirements:
Arrival in Spain before January 1, 2026
Continuous residence in the country for at least five months
No criminal record (clean criminal background check required)
Online applications will be accepted from April 16, 2026, and in-person applications from April 20.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez described the decision as “an act of justice and a necessity,” saying the legalization acknowledges reality: hundreds of thousands of people are already living and working in Spain, and it is better that they do so legally, pay taxes, and have equal rights and responsibilities.
The Socialist-led government cites economic reasons as well: Spain faces an ageing population, and legal migrants will help fill labour shortages. Analysts note that the actual number of undocumented people in the country may exceed 500,000–800,000, particularly in agriculture, construction, and the service sector.
Spain’s immigration services have already raised concerns — officials are threatening to strike from April 21, warning that the system is unprepared for such a surge in applications and could “collapse.” Opposition and right-wing parties are critical of the amnesty, fearing it will attract new undocumented arrivals and place additional strain on social services.
At the same time, migrant communities — including the Bangladeshi diaspora in Barcelona — are already celebrating the decision. Spain’s last major amnesty was carried out in 2005 and covered around 577,000 people.
The programme is being implemented via royal decree in order to bypass parliament, where Sánchez’s government lacks a majority. Applications will be processed through a simplified procedure, and successful applicants will be able to formally integrate into the labour market.
This measure makes Spain a notable exception amid growing anti-immigration sentiment across much of Europe.