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Spain is preparing for a high-impact shift in its immigration policy. The Government will approve on Tuesday the initiation of the processing of a Royal Decree that will open the door to an extraordinary regularization of foreign individuals in an irregular situation, a measure that could benefit around half a million migrants, according to official sources cited by RTVE and the agency EFE.
The decision, agreed upon by the Executive and Podemos, aims to "guarantee rights and provide legal certainty to an existing social reality," according to the Government itself. The announcement comes after months of parliamentary deadlock over a legislative initiative supported by over 700,000 signatures and backed at the time by a wide majority in Congress, with the sole opposition from Vox, as RTVE recalled.
The agreement was publicly announced by MEP Irene Montero at an event held in Madrid under the slogan "Regularization Now." She detailed that individuals who were already in Spain before December 31, 2025, and can prove at least five months of residency, including through alternative documents such as medical reports, basic service contracts, or money transfer receipts, will be able to benefit from the measure. This is particularly crucial for those who never managed to register with the authorities.
One of the most sensitive aspects of the measure is its immediate impact on the daily lives of thousands of people. From the moment the application is submitted, expulsion orders and return procedures due to administrative causes, including working without permission, will be suspended. The mere acceptance of the application will allow access to a provisional residency, with the right to work legally and receive healthcare, as detailed by both sources.
If the final resolution is favorable, a residence permit will be granted for one year, with the possibility of later obtaining a regular permit in accordance with immigration regulations. The entire process will be open until June 30, which has generated tremendous anticipation among migrant communities who have been living, working, and raising families in Spain for years without documentation.
The government argues that this approach reinforces a migration model based on human rights, integration, and social coexistence, compatible with economic growth, according to the Ministry of Inclusion led by Elma Saiz, as reported by RTVE. Being processed as a Royal Decree, the measure does not require parliamentary validation, which allows the Executive to overcome the lack of consensus that has hindered other migration initiatives.
From Podemos, the regularization has been described as an act of "social justice" in response to what they consider years of institutional racism and labor exploitation. On the opposite side, the Popular Party and Vox have reacted with strong criticism, accusing the Government of promoting a "pull effect" and using migration as a political smokescreen.
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