"Spain's government announced Tuesday it will grant legal status to potentially hundreds of thousands of immigrants living and working in the country without authorization, the latest way the country has bucked a trend toward increasingly harsh immigration policies imposed in the United States and much of Europe. The extraordinary measure will be implemented by expediting a decree to amend immigration laws, according to Spanish Minister of Migration Elma Saiz, bypassing a similar bill that has stalled in parliament."
"Eligible immigrants will be granted up to one year of legal residency as well as permission to work. In contrast to other nations that have moved to restrict immigration and asylum, many emboldened by the Trump administration's policies, Spain has moved in the opposite direction with Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and his ministers often extolling the benefits of legal migration to the country's economy and aging workforce."
"Foreigners who arrived in Spain before Dec. 31, 2025 and can prove they have been living in the country for at least five months will be eligible. They must also prove they have no criminal record. Saiz said she expects those eligible will be able to start applying for their legal status from April until the end of June. She added that resources would be in place to process them smoothly and efficiently."
Spain will expedite a decree to amend immigration laws, bypassing a stalled parliamentary bill. Eligible undocumented residents will receive up to one year of legal residency and work authorization. Eligibility requires arrival before Dec. 31, 2025, proof of at least five months' residence and a clean criminal record. Applications will be accepted from April through June, with resources allocated for efficient processing. The measure could benefit between 500,000 and 800,000 people, many from Latin America and Africa working in agriculture, tourism and services, addressing labor needs amid an aging population.
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