More than one million undocumented migrants and asylum seekers have applied to regularise their status in Spain under a government programme aimed at bringing more people into the formal workforce and supporting the country's long-term economic and demographic needs.

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Overwhelming response to regularisation scheme

The initiative, announced by Spain's socialist-led government in January, was originally expected to benefit around 500,000 people. However, by the time applications closed on Tuesday, the number of applicants had exceeded one million.

The programme offers successful applicants a one-year residence and work permit. To qualify, individuals must prove they have no criminal record and show they had been living in Spain for at least five months before 31 December 2025, or that they had applied for international protection before that date.

Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said the unexpectedly high number of applications demonstrated the need for the scheme.

"The fact that more than one million people submitted applications shows just how necessary this recognition of rights and responsibilities was," he said during an event in Madrid.

Government argues immigration is vital

Sánchez said immigration would be essential for Spain's future economic growth, its ageing population and the sustainability of its welfare system.

He warned that without immigration, Spain's gross domestic product would be 19% lower by 2050. He said such a scenario would result in the closure of around 90,000 bars, leave 50,000 primary and secondary school classrooms without pupils, and lead to the loss of approximately 220,000 farms.

According to the prime minister, Spain would become "poorer, emptier, weaker and without the resources to fund its welfare state" without continued migration.

Spain has previously introduced large-scale regularisation programmes under both socialist and conservative governments, but the latest measure has drawn strong opposition from conservative and far-right parties.

Opposition mounts legal and political challenge

The centre-right People's Party (PP) has argued that the scheme risks placing excessive pressure on public services, while the far-right Vox party has accused the government of using immigration to reshape Spain's population, labour market and electoral landscape.

Regional PP administrations in Valencia and Aragón have challenged the programme in court. On Tuesday, a court said it was considering asking the European Court of Justice to determine whether parts of the government's decree are compatible with European Union law.

PP leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo has also criticised a separate democratic memory law introduced in 2022, which allows descendants of Spaniards exiled during the Spanish Civil War and Francisco Franco's dictatorship to obtain Spanish citizenship.

More than 2.4 million people have applied under that law, with more than 544,000 applications already approved.

In a radio interview on Monday, Feijóo accused the government of pursuing "electoral engineering" by expanding the number of potential voters.

The government rejected those claims. Migration Minister Elma Saiz described the accusations as "incredibly irresponsible", saying they reflected political frustration rather than a credible policy alternative.

Integration plan unveiled

Sánchez has consistently defended immigration even as many European governments have adopted tougher migration policies.

Reiterating comments he made to parliament in October 2024, he said migration has historically driven national development, while hatred and xenophobia have undermined societies.

Alongside the regularisation programme, the government announced a €500 million (£431 million) integration and citizenship plan aimed at helping migrants settle successfully in Spain.

Sánchez said the initiative would promote equal treatment, combat discrimination and expand opportunities, while also expecting newcomers to respect Spanish law, learn the country's official languages and embrace its democratic values.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 1 July 2026

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5 hours ago, webfact said:

Sánchez said immigration would be essential for Spain's future economic growth, its ageing population and the sustainability of its welfare system.

This fallacy again.

This fallacy again.

You'd think the Spanish would learn from their history. Last time, it took them 800 years to get their country back.

The UK to follow the same amnesty soon ?

The ageing population would mean fewer people to hold up the economy in the future. Where is the money going to come from?

Ejecting people would lead to the shrinking population not paying enough into the pension scheme that supports retired people, as one example.

Every country in Europe is ageing. AI will not make up for the loss of legal workers.

1 hour ago, impulse said:

You'd think the Spanish would learn from their history. Last time, it took them 800 years to get their country back.

Reconquista was a disaster for Spain

The ageing population would mean fewer people to hold up the economy in the future. Where is the money going to come from?

Ejecting people would lead to the shrinking population not paying enough into the pension scheme that supports retired people, as one example.

Every country in Europe is ageing. AI will not make up for the loss of legal workers.

That may be true. But Spain, the EU (and the collective West) can either throw their borders open and accept whoever comes across, or they can pick and choose the workers that will contribute to their economies and not be a drain on taxpayers.

It appears that, until The Donald, they're choosing the former.

Other EU countries are furious about this.

Once the unknown unchecked dross has been legalised they'll be free to travel wherever they like in schengen. They'll spread around Europe like a turd dropped from the 50th floor.

Thank goodness we left.

Vive La Brexit.

Other EU countries are furious about this.

Once the unknown unchecked dross has been legalised they'll be free to travel wherever they like in schengen. They'll spread around Europe like a turd dropped from the 50th floor.

Thank goodness we left.

Vive La Brexit.

And if they think that solves their problem, all it really does is open the door to the next batch of dinghy riders who enter in anticipation of the next amnesty. And on. And on...

1 hour ago, Purdey said:

The ageing population would mean fewer people to hold up the economy in the future. Where is the money going to come from?

Ejecting people would lead to the shrinking population not paying enough into the pension scheme that supports retired people, as one example.

Every country in Europe is ageing. AI will not make up for the loss of legal workers.

But what about the social cost? Housing, welfare, education, crime etc.

24 minutes ago, impulse said:

And if they think that solves their problem, all it really does is open the door to the next batch of dinghy riders who enter in anticipation of the next amnesty. And on. And on...

I'm guessing illegals from neighbouring EU countries headed to Spain to get legalized. That's why the numbers went up so quickly from 500k to a million.

Once they have their Spanish passports they can return with full EU papers and entitlements.

Thanks Spain!!!!

Brexit looks a wiser decision with each passing hour.

Once they have their Spanish passports they can return with full EU papers and entitlements.

Thanks Spain!!!!

Just so I understand it... Do they need Spanish passports to travel the Schengen, or just residency?

Also, do they have to be citizens to invite their extended families to join them, or just residents?

12 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

I'm guessing illegals from neighbouring EU countries headed to Spain to get legalized. That's why the numbers went up so quickly from 500k to a million.

Once they have their Spanish passports they can return with full EU papers and entitlements.

Thanks Spain!!!!

Brexit looks a wiser decision with each passing hour.

And as usual, you are making stuff up! 🤣

1 hour ago, impulse said:

That may be true. But Spain, the EU (and the collective West) can either throw their borders open and accept whoever comes across, or they can pick and choose the workers that will contribute to their economies and not be a drain on taxpayers.

It appears that, until The Donald, they're choosing the former.

Do they live off the state or do they have jobs?

That is a key data point.

24 minutes ago, phetphet said:

But what about the social cost? Housing, welfare, education, crime etc.

That's the point of legal immigrants, they pay tax that pays for housing, welfare and education.

Spain's general crime rate has not increased alongside immigration; in fact, the country experienced a long-term decrease in conventional crime while its foreign-born population grew substantially.

https://www.democrata.es/en/analysis-and-opinion/immigration-and-crime-the-distance-between-what-we-feel-and-what-we-know/

(Link is in English)

5 minutes ago, impulse said:

Just so I understand it... Do they need Spanish passports to travel the Schengen, or just residency?

Also, do they have to be citizens to invite their extended families to join them, or just residents?

To start with its Spain only but as always its the thin end of the wedge.

Lets face it they're never going home after getting legal status so its only a matter of time just until they get full citizenship and start bringing over the extended family.

Normally they can apply for full citizenship after just 2 years.

Of course they will age same as anyone else does so then we'll need more immigrants to pay their pensions. A massive ponzi scheme to keep them flowing in.

10 minutes ago, Purdey said:

Do they live off the state or do they have jobs?

That is a key data point.

Many work in the grey employment market as deliveroo drivers etc.

Supplement their salary with illegal activity which never appears in the statistics.

28 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

Supplement their salary with illegal activity which never appears in the statistics.

No evidence is not an argument unfortunately.

They are just pushing the problem with lowering birthrate's before them as these immigrants will also get old and need healthcare and pensions. What do they do then keep import more immigrants to look after the immigrants.

They should make it less expensive to have children or use modern technology to solve the problem like the Japanese.

4 hours ago, Purdey said:

The ageing population would mean fewer people to hold up the economy in the future. Where is the money going to come from?

Ejecting people would lead to the shrinking population not paying enough into the pension scheme that supports retired people, as one example.

Every country in Europe is ageing. AI will not make up for the loss of legal workers.

1 million extra taxpayers helps.

33 minutes ago, Hatari fan said:

They are just pushing the problem with lowering birthrate's before them as these immigrants will also get old and need healthcare and pensions. What do they do then keep import more immigrants to look after the immigrants.

They should make it less expensive to have children or use modern technology to solve the problem like the Japanese.

Problem is what the Japanese have done hasn't solved the problem. The Japanese have tried everything. Honda and Toyota are firing the parts cannons at expensive robots, which don't really help. They started tackling the problem in the 1930s, when they introduced radio programming aimed at keeping elders more active (and less of a burden on the state). 90 years on, they are still tackling the problem.

There are only options left that hasn't been tried. Last Day. With a touch of Soylent Green.

The second is a return to agrarian non-mechanised societies, which are associated with large families, because you need everyone hands on deck during the harvest of potatoes and turnips. Pol Pot without the nice weather.

You could create mechanisms to allow people to grow and prosper in a working career, and return to their countries of origin to retire. eg. allow UK pensions to be upgraded for overseas pensioners to facilitate that.

24 minutes ago, Roadsternut said:

1 million extra taxpayers helps.

1 million more on benefits doesn't.

12 hours ago, webfact said:

The initiative, announced by Spain's socialist-led government in January, was originally expected to benefit around 500,000 people. However, by the time applications closed on Tuesday, the number of applicants had exceeded one million.

Not surprising. Amnesties always undercount and they never die. Spain will spend the next two generations giving amnesty for people who will filter into other European countries. The 1986 Reagan illegal alien amnesty ended up being more than double of what was promised/predicted. And it stretched out for almost two decades. Originally it had a deadline of 1988, which immigration lawyers sued and got a "Late Amnesty" extension to 2005. Even today, amnesty cases are trickling in for people who say they qualify for the 2005 deadline because they create evidence they applied before 2005. Enjoy your hordes, Spain.

3 hours ago, JonnyF said:

Other EU countries are furious about this.

Once the unknown unchecked dross has been legalised they'll be free to travel wherever they like in schengen. They'll spread around Europe like a turd dropped from the 50th floor.

Thank goodness we left.

Vive La Brexit.

Incorrect. Spain granting residency to this group does not allow them the right to travel throughout the EU (Schengen): Only citizens of EU states benefit from freedom of movement and that, in itself, does not grant the right to permanent residency in another EU state.

For this group, it will likely take 5 to 10 years to gain Spanish citizenship - not 2 as you suggested in another post. I assume that in order to gain Spanish nationality, they will need to demonstrate that they are integrated into Spanish society e.g. speak the language, no criminal record, decent employment record, etc.

Schengen makes it easier for both legal and illegal travel throughout mainland Europe. This Spanish initiative has no effect one way or the other (at least until Spanish citizenship is granted). The same is true irrespective of whether the UK was a member of the EU or not. In other words, Brexit has no effect.

7 minutes ago, RayC said:

Incorrect. Spain granting residency to this group does not allow them the right to travel throughout the EU (Schengen): Only citizens of EU states benefit from freedom of movement and that, in itself, does not grant the right to permanent residency in another EU state.

For this group, it will likely take 5 to 10 years to gain Spanish citizenship - not 2 as you suggested in another post. I assume that in order to gain Spanish nationality, they will need to demonstrate that they are integrated into Spanish society e.g. speak the language, no criminal record, decent employment record, etc.

Schengen makes it easier for both legal and illegal travel throughout mainland Europe. This Spanish initiative has no effect one way or the other (at least until Spanish citizenship is granted). The same is true irrespective of whether the UK was a member of the EU or not. In other words, Brexit has no effect.

It will make a difference when citizenship is granted. Many of these will be after 2 years.

Thanks goodness we left, Raymond. Another Brexit benefit.

21 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

It will make a difference when citizenship is granted. Many of these will be after 2 years.

Thanks goodness we left, Raymond. Another Brexit benefit.

Yes, Jonathan, it will make a difference when citizenship is granted, but if an individual is granted citizenship I doubt that they will be a piece of "unknown, unchecked dross" as you so charmingly label them. To achieve citizenship status, they will have proven themselves to be decent residents of Spain.

And no, Jonathan, as I stated previously you are incorrect. "Many" will not be granted Spanish citizenship after 2 years; the overwhelming majority will have to wait 5 - 10 years to gain citizenship. But, hey, why let facts get in the way of another bigoted rant?

https://www.spanishcitizenship.org/spanish-citizenship-requirements/

However, I'm not surprised that you claim that this is a Brexit benefit given that there are so few of them.

4 hours ago, JonnyF said:

Other EU countries are furious about this.

Once the unknown unchecked dross has been legalised they'll be free to travel wherever they like in schengen. They'll spread around Europe like a turd dropped from the 50th floor.

Thank goodness we left.

Vive La Brexit.

Aaw Jonny, quick out of the blocks to show your far right ignorance as usual.

The “unknown unchecked “ will have to prove their presence for 5 months in the country up until December 31st 2025 and have their criminal history checked. So, not unknown or unchecked. More far right lies from you!

You were probably too busy to read the OP in your zeal to spew your xenophobic drivel.

I bet that on your phone you have activated alerts to inform when words such as immigrants, small boats, asylum, EU, woke are mentioned in order that you can lead your like minded “patriots” in the verbal battle against the wokerati.

Behind the cover of playing the humanitarian card, the Spanish are real smart. Because they are plainly regularising and making the exploitation of these miserable immigrants, something official.

Remove all the illegals in Spain, Italy, Germany, France, .... and they can shut down all their farms and agricultural produce...and much more. And their politicians are fully aware. As these people are in working conditions close to slavery.

The so-called political response and enforcement against the illegals is plainly a facade and hypocrisy from most of western European governance.

This is where Ai and robotics will be the future and stop the racket. When automated machines with Ai will be able to replace the hands of the illegals in various segments of western economies.

51 minutes ago, Red Forever said:

Aaw Jonny, quick out of the blocks to show your far right ignorance as usual.

The “unknown unchecked “ will have to prove their presence for 5 months in the country up until December 31st 2025 and have their criminal history checked. So, not unknown or unchecked. More far right lies from you!

You were probably too busy to read the OP in your zeal to spew your xenophobic drivel.

I bet that on your phone you have activated alerts to inform when words such as immigrants, small boats, asylum, EU, woke are mentioned in order that you can lead your like minded “patriots” in the verbal battle against the wokerati.

When you are processing one million applications, there is only one way to get through them. Rubber stamp them as fast as possible, accept all evidence, even if it is manufactured, and get them out the door as quickly as possible with their papers. This is what happened with the Reagan illegal alien amnesty in the US in 1986--89 percent were approved.

7 hours ago, Purdey said:

The ageing population would mean fewer people to hold up the economy in the future. Where is the money going to come from?

Ejecting people would lead to the shrinking population not paying enough into the pension scheme that supports retired people, as one example.

Every country in Europe is ageing. AI will not make up for the loss of legal workers.

I'm pleased to see Spain attracting highly skilled workers from Africa.