Speaking in Pamplona on 13 February, Minister of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration Elma Saiz presented an opinion from the Economic and Social Council (CES) that gives political cover to the government’s plan to grant temporary residence and work permits to an estimated 500,000 undocumented migrants. The CES—a tripartite advisory body that brings together unions, business associations and civil-society groups—concluded that regularisation is “indispensable” for integration and labour-market efficiency.
The Council’s report argues that bringing irregular workers into the formal economy will raise social-security contributions, reduce exploitation in low-wage sectors such as agriculture and hospitality, and help alleviate Spain’s structural labour shortages. It also recommends simplifying digital application channels and investing in language and vocational training so that newly regularised migrants can move into higher-productivity roles.
Although the CES opinion is not legally binding, analysts say it strengthens the decree’s chances of parliamentary approval by signalling cross-sector consensus. Employer federations, who initially feared wage pressure, now support the reform, citing evidence that legal status reduces unfair competition from undeclared labour.
![Spain’s Economic and Social Council Endorses Extraordinary Regularisation Plan]()
For organisations or individuals preparing to apply for Spanish residence and work authorisations, VisaHQ can provide practical assistance. Via its dedicated Spain page (https://www.visahq.com/spain/), the platform offers real-time requirements, document-preparation tools and application-tracking services, helping newcomers and their employers navigate the new regularisation process smoothly.
The government is finalising the operational plan, expected to open for applications in April. Mobility teams in multinational firms should prepare to assist eligible staff with documentation and anticipate a broader talent pool once regularised workers can move freely within Spain’s formal job market.
Brussels has cautioned Spain to ensure that beneficiaries do not relocate to other EU states without authorisation, but the CES memo insists the measure is compatible with Schengen rules if ID integrity is upheld.
The Council’s report argues that bringing irregular workers into the formal economy will raise social-security contributions, reduce exploitation in low-wage sectors such as agriculture and hospitality, and help alleviate Spain’s structural labour shortages. It also recommends simplifying digital application channels and investing in language and vocational training so that newly regularised migrants can move into higher-productivity roles.
Although the CES opinion is not legally binding, analysts say it strengthens the decree’s chances of parliamentary approval by signalling cross-sector consensus. Employer federations, who initially feared wage pressure, now support the reform, citing evidence that legal status reduces unfair competition from undeclared labour.
For organisations or individuals preparing to apply for Spanish residence and work authorisations, VisaHQ can provide practical assistance. Via its dedicated Spain page (https://www.visahq.com/spain/), the platform offers real-time requirements, document-preparation tools and application-tracking services, helping newcomers and their employers navigate the new regularisation process smoothly.
The government is finalising the operational plan, expected to open for applications in April. Mobility teams in multinational firms should prepare to assist eligible staff with documentation and anticipate a broader talent pool once regularised workers can move freely within Spain’s formal job market.
Brussels has cautioned Spain to ensure that beneficiaries do not relocate to other EU states without authorisation, but the CES memo insists the measure is compatible with Schengen rules if ID integrity is upheld.
