Spain has faced a record influx of applications under the mass legalisation programme for undocumented migrants. According to the latest figures from the Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration, around 900,000 applications have already been submitted, and the figure is expected to exceed one million by the deadline of 30 June. This is almost double the government’s initial forecasts.
The programme, approved in early 2026 by Pedro Sánchez’s government, provides for the issuance of a temporary residence permit and a one-year work permit (renewable) to foreign nationals who had been residing in the country for at least five months as at the end of 2025 and who have no criminal record. The aim is to bring hundreds of thousands of workers in the informal economy out of the shadows and to address labour shortages in the construction, tourism, agriculture and elderly care sectors.
Initially, the authorities had anticipated between 500,000 and 800,000 participants. However, the rush for applications has exceeded expectations. By mid-June, around 360,000 applications had already been processed, and administrative offices in major cities are struggling to cope with the volume of work. Many migrants, mainly from Latin America (Colombians, Peruvians and Venezuelans), as well as from Africa and Asia, rushed to submit their applications.
The government emphasises the humanitarian and economic aspects of the initiative. “We recognise the reality of the hundreds of thousands of people who are already part of our daily lives,” Pedro Sánchez stated earlier. Legalisation should help fill job vacancies and ease the pressure on social services.
The opposition, particularly the People’s Party, has criticised the programme as ‘irresponsible’ and warned of the risks of an increase in migration flows and the strain on the budget. Experts note that, taking family reunification into account, the actual number of people affected could rise to between 1.5 and 2 million.
This is now the seventh mass regularisation programme in Spain over the past 40 years. The process is taking place against the backdrop of Europe-wide debates on migration: whilst some EU countries are tightening their policies, Spain is opting for integration.
The deadline for applications is today. The authorities promise to process applications promptly (within three months) but acknowledge that not all applications will be approved due to the volume exceeding projections. Successful applicants will be granted legal status, access to social services and the opportunity to work legally.
This initiative could become one of the most significant migration policies in Europe in 2026, highlighting the balance between humanitarian obligations and Spain’s economic needs.