Spain has received more than one million applications from undocumented migrants and asylum seekers seeking legal residency under a landmark regularisation programme, making it one of the country’s biggest immigration initiatives in recent decades and setting it apart from the tougher migration policies being pursued across much of Europe.
The application process, which closed on June 30, drew an unexpectedly high response, with official figures showing that over 1.17 million people submitted requests for legal status. The programme had originally been designed to benefit around 500,000 undocumented migrants, but the overwhelming number of applications surpassed government expectations by more than double.
The Spanish government launched the initiative earlier this year to bring undocumented migrants into the formal economy by granting eligible applicants residence permits and permission to work. To qualify, applicants were required to prove they had no criminal record and had been living in Spain for at least five months before December 31, 2025, or had already sought international protection.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez defended the move as an economic necessity, arguing that immigration is essential for Spain’s future growth, labour market needs and ageing population. According to the government, the policy is intended not only to address labour shortages but also to ensure the long-term sustainability of Spain’s welfare system by bringing thousands of workers into the legal economy.
The initiative has already begun to have an economic impact. Authorities said that more than 600,000 applicants have been granted temporary work permits while their cases are processed, allowing them to legally enter the workforce during the review period. Officials believe the measure will reduce labour exploitation, increase tax revenues and improve social security contributions.
Government data indicate that a majority of applicants originate from Central and South America, with Colombians accounting for the largest share. Significant numbers of applications have also been filed by migrants from Morocco, Venezuela and Peru, reflecting Spain’s longstanding migration links with Latin America and North Africa.
Despite support from humanitarian organisations and business groups, the programme has triggered sharp political criticism. Opposition parties, particularly the conservative People’s Party and the far-right Vox party, have accused the Sánchez government of encouraging irregular migration and placing additional pressure on public services. Several regional administrations governed by the People’s Party have challenged the programme through legal channels, raising questions over its compatibility with European Union regulations.
The government has rejected those allegations, insisting that the scheme is a carefully managed process aimed at regularising people who are already living and working in Spain rather than encouraging fresh migration. Alongside the regularisation drive, Sánchez also announced a €500 million integration plan designed to improve migrants’ access to employment, education and public services, while promoting their inclusion in Spanish society.
The initiative represents Spain’s latest effort to reshape its immigration policy at a time when several European countries are tightening border controls and adopting stricter asylum measures. By contrast, Madrid has maintained that regulated migration can serve both humanitarian and economic goals, describing the programme as a practical response to demographic challenges and labour shortages facing the country.
