Spain moves to grant legal status to undocumented migrants”
Spain will grant temporary legal status to hundreds of thousands of undocumented immigrants, the government said Tuesday, in a move that sharply contrasts with tougher immigration policies adopted elsewhere in Europe and the United States.
According to AP, Migration Minister Elma Saiz said the government will fast-track a decree amending immigration laws, allowing eligible migrants to receive up to one year of residency and work permits. The measure bypasses legislation stalled in parliament and could benefit around 500,000 people, according to official estimates.
Applicants must have arrived in Spain before Dec. 31, 2025, prove at least five months of residence and have no criminal record. Applications are expected to open between April and June.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s government says the move recognizes migrants already contributing to Spain’s economy, particularly in agriculture, tourism and services, and helps address labor shortages linked to an aging population.
The decision followed a last-minute political agreement with the left-wing Podemos party and was welcomed by migrant rights groups and Catholic organizations, while opposition parties criticized it as irresponsible.
