Spain’s long-trailed plan to grant residence to an estimated half-million undocumented migrants is finally approaching the political finish line. Immigration lawyer Vicente Marín told followers on Friday that the government intends to table the draft decree at the Council of Ministers on either 24 or 31 March, with applications opening “days later”. The timeline aligns with earlier statements from the Ministry of Inclusion that the window for filing would run from early April to June 2026.
The regularisation—born from a citizen-initiative backed by 700,000 signatures—will allow foreigners who can prove they have lived in Spain since before November 2023 to obtain a one-year residence and work permit, renewable after demonstrating labour integration. Children, carers and people in vulnerable situations are expected to receive priority.
![Extraordinary migrant regularisation heads to Spanish cabinet in late March]()
For readers weighing their options, VisaHQ can simplify the process of gathering documents and understanding Spain’s wider immigration rules. The company’s Spain portal (https://www.visahq.com/spain/) breaks down current visa categories, fees and timelines, and its advisers can flag missing paperwork before you book an appointment—saving time once the regularisation window opens.
Unions representing Foreigners’ Offices warn they are already understaffed and that no extra budget has been allocated, raising fears of appointment shortages and paperwork backlogs. Businesses in agriculture, construction and elder-care, sectors that rely on informal labour, broadly support the amnesty, seeing it as a path to legal hiring and social-security contributions.
Employers planning to sponsor workers should monitor publication of the final decree and prepare template contracts and compliance checklists. Migrants are advised to gather proof of continuous residence—rental receipts, school records, medical appointments—well in advance.
The regularisation—born from a citizen-initiative backed by 700,000 signatures—will allow foreigners who can prove they have lived in Spain since before November 2023 to obtain a one-year residence and work permit, renewable after demonstrating labour integration. Children, carers and people in vulnerable situations are expected to receive priority.
For readers weighing their options, VisaHQ can simplify the process of gathering documents and understanding Spain’s wider immigration rules. The company’s Spain portal (https://www.visahq.com/spain/) breaks down current visa categories, fees and timelines, and its advisers can flag missing paperwork before you book an appointment—saving time once the regularisation window opens.
Unions representing Foreigners’ Offices warn they are already understaffed and that no extra budget has been allocated, raising fears of appointment shortages and paperwork backlogs. Businesses in agriculture, construction and elder-care, sectors that rely on informal labour, broadly support the amnesty, seeing it as a path to legal hiring and social-security contributions.
Employers planning to sponsor workers should monitor publication of the final decree and prepare template contracts and compliance checklists. Migrants are advised to gather proof of continuous residence—rental receipts, school records, medical appointments—well in advance.
