On 22 December the Spanish coalition government unveiled a draft immigration-law overhaul that will slash the undocumented residence requirement for ‘arraigo social’ regularisation from three years to two and simplify work-permit procedures. Migration Minister Elma Saiz said the reform could legalise around 300,000 more migrants annually—well above current levels—and help fill acute labour shortages in construction, elder care and hospitality.
Key measures include allowing ‘arraigo’ applicants to demonstrate financial means instead of presenting a job contract, extending certain visa durations, and digitising paperwork through the social-security portal. Employers will benefit from faster hiring of talent already in Spain, while migrants gain earlier access to health coverage and formal employment.
![Spain eases visa pathways, aims to regularise additional 300,000 migrants a year]()
For organisations and individuals trying to navigate these new procedures, VisaHQ can streamline the process by providing up-to-date guidance on Spanish entry rules, work-permit requirements and document legalisation. Their Spain-focused portal (https://www.visahq.com/spain/) offers step-by-step support that helps applicants avoid common paperwork pitfalls and keeps employers compliant as the reforms roll out.
Business chambers welcomed the reform but urged the government to streamline labour-market tests and improve consular capacity for high-skill visas. Opposition parties criticised the plan as an incentive for irregular immigration, setting the stage for heated parliamentary debate in January.
Companies planning large-scale recruitment in 2026 should review internal compliance protocols: once enacted, the law will shorten lead times but increases the onus on sponsors to prove fair wages and training opportunities. Legal counsels recommend auditing subcontractor practices to avoid liability under Spain’s joint-employer rules.
Key measures include allowing ‘arraigo’ applicants to demonstrate financial means instead of presenting a job contract, extending certain visa durations, and digitising paperwork through the social-security portal. Employers will benefit from faster hiring of talent already in Spain, while migrants gain earlier access to health coverage and formal employment.
For organisations and individuals trying to navigate these new procedures, VisaHQ can streamline the process by providing up-to-date guidance on Spanish entry rules, work-permit requirements and document legalisation. Their Spain-focused portal (https://www.visahq.com/spain/) offers step-by-step support that helps applicants avoid common paperwork pitfalls and keeps employers compliant as the reforms roll out.
Business chambers welcomed the reform but urged the government to streamline labour-market tests and improve consular capacity for high-skill visas. Opposition parties criticised the plan as an incentive for irregular immigration, setting the stage for heated parliamentary debate in January.
Companies planning large-scale recruitment in 2026 should review internal compliance protocols: once enacted, the law will shorten lead times but increases the onus on sponsors to prove fair wages and training opportunities. Legal counsels recommend auditing subcontractor practices to avoid liability under Spain’s joint-employer rules.
