Spain's left-wing government has approved a controversial plan to grant legal status to approximately half a million undocumented migrants currently residing in the country. This significant policy shift marks a sharp departure from the increasingly restrictive migration approaches being adopted elsewhere across Europe.
A Human Rights-Based Migration Model
Migration Minister Elma Saiz announced the details following Tuesday's cabinet meeting, stating that the beneficiaries would be permitted to work 'in any sector, in any part of the country'. She hailed the decision as having a 'positive impact' on Spanish society and the economy.
'We are talking about estimations - probably more or less the figures may be around half a million people,' Saiz told public broadcaster RTVE, emphasising that Spain was 'strengthening a migration model based on human rights, integration and coexistence, compatible with economic growth and social cohesion.'
Addressing Labour Shortages and Demographic Challenges
Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has consistently argued that Spain requires migration to address critical labour shortages and counteract an ageing population that threatens the sustainability of pensions and the welfare state. He has previously highlighted that migration accounted for a substantial 80 per cent of Spain's economic growth over the past six years.
Official figures released on Tuesday appear to support this stance, revealing that 52,500 of the 76,200 people added to employment rolls in the final quarter of last year were foreign nationals. This contribution has helped Spain achieve its lowest unemployment rate since 2008.
Fierce Opposition from the Right
The government's move has ignited fierce criticism and political fury from right-wing and conservative opposition parties. Santiago Abascal, leader of the hard-right Vox party, launched a scathing attack, accusing Sánchez of 'hating Spaniards' and 'accelerating an invasion'. Critics have noted that this rhetoric echoes extremist conspiracy theories.
The conservative Popular Party also condemned the plan. Its leader, Alberto Núñez Feijóo, labelled the policy 'ludicrous' and warned it would 'overwhelm public services'. In a post on social media platform X, he declared, 'In Socialist Spain, illegality is rewarded,' pledging to overhaul migration policy should his party regain power.
Details of the Regularisation Plan
The new measure will apply to migrants who have lived in Spain for a minimum of five months and who submitted an application for international protection before the deadline of December 31, 2025. Applicants are required to have a clean criminal record, and the regularisation will be extended to include their children who are already living in the country.
The application window is scheduled to open in April and will run until the end of June. Notably, the scheme will be enacted by governmental decree, bypassing the parliament where Sánchez's Socialist-led coalition currently lacks a working majority.
Broader Context and Welcome from Some Quarters
Spain's approach stands in stark contrast to a broader European trend towards tighter migration controls, which has gained momentum amid rising electoral support for far-right parties in several nations.
According to estimates from the Funcas think tank, approximately 840,000 undocumented migrants were living in Spain at the beginning of January 2025, with the majority originating from Latin American countries. Spain remains one of Europe's primary gateways for irregular migration, with tens of thousands – predominantly from sub-Saharan Africa – arriving via the Canary Islands.
Latest data from the National Statistics Institute indicates that more than seven million foreign nationals now reside in Spain, out of a total population of 49.4 million.
Despite the political controversy, the decision has been welcomed by several groups, including the Spanish Catholic Church, which praised it as 'an act of social justice and recognition.'
