The Spanish government has launched a two-week public-consultation period on the mechanics of its new extraordinary regularisation scheme, approved by Royal Decree on 27 January. The programme could grant one-year residence-and-work permits – renewable and convertible to standard categories – to an estimated 500,000 undocumented migrants who entered Spain before 31 December 2025 and have lived continuously for at least five months.
According to draft guidelines published on 5 February, applicants will be able to file online or at designated Social Security offices between early April and 30 June. An application admitted for processing within 15 days will provisionally authorise employment; final decisions must be issued within three months. Children will receive a five-year residence card, reflecting the government’s family-unity priority.
The Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration argues that regularisation will shrink Spain’s informal economy, boost tax revenue and alleviate acute labour shortages in hospitality and elder-care. Critics in the conservative Popular Party and the far-right Vox say the plan could worsen housing shortages and strain public services.
![Spain opens public consultation on extraordinary regularisation of undocumented migrants]()
If you’re navigating this new pathway and need professional guidance, VisaHQ’s Spain specialists can streamline the entire process—helping applicants compile proof of continuous residence, schedule biometrics, and track approvals, while also supporting employers with bulk submissions. Explore how we can assist at https://www.visahq.com/spain/
For employers the measure offers a pathway to formalise long-standing staff who currently lack work authorisation, reducing legal risk and unlocking access to social-security benefits. Global-mobility teams should prepare to assist affected employees with documentation – notably proof of residence (utility bills, school enrolment, medical records) and clean criminal-record certificates.
Stakeholders have until 19 February to submit comments via the ministry’s electronic portal. A final implementation order is expected by late March, allowing the first applications to be lodged immediately after Easter.
According to draft guidelines published on 5 February, applicants will be able to file online or at designated Social Security offices between early April and 30 June. An application admitted for processing within 15 days will provisionally authorise employment; final decisions must be issued within three months. Children will receive a five-year residence card, reflecting the government’s family-unity priority.
The Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration argues that regularisation will shrink Spain’s informal economy, boost tax revenue and alleviate acute labour shortages in hospitality and elder-care. Critics in the conservative Popular Party and the far-right Vox say the plan could worsen housing shortages and strain public services.
If you’re navigating this new pathway and need professional guidance, VisaHQ’s Spain specialists can streamline the entire process—helping applicants compile proof of continuous residence, schedule biometrics, and track approvals, while also supporting employers with bulk submissions. Explore how we can assist at https://www.visahq.com/spain/
For employers the measure offers a pathway to formalise long-standing staff who currently lack work authorisation, reducing legal risk and unlocking access to social-security benefits. Global-mobility teams should prepare to assist affected employees with documentation – notably proof of residence (utility bills, school enrolment, medical records) and clean criminal-record certificates.
Stakeholders have until 19 February to submit comments via the ministry’s electronic portal. A final implementation order is expected by late March, allowing the first applications to be lodged immediately after Easter.
